# this

#### Availability

Flash Player 5.

#### Usage

    this

#### Description

Keyword; references an object or movie clip instance. When a script executes, `this` references the movie clip instance that contains the script. When a method is called, `this` contains a reference to the object that contains the called method.

Inside an `on` event handler action attached to a button, `this` refers to the Timeline that contains the button. Inside an `onClipEvent` event handler action attached to a movie clip, `this` refers to the Timeline of the movie clip itself.

#### Example

In the following example, the keyword `this` references the Circle object.

    function Circle(radius) {
    	this.radius = radius;
    	this.area = Math.PI * radius * radius;
    }

In the following statement assigned to a frame, the keyword `this` references the current movie clip.

    // sets the alpha property of the current movie clip to 20
    this._alpha = 20;

In the following statement inside an `onClipEvent` handler, the keyword `this` references the current movie clip.

    // when the movie clip loads, a startDrag operation
    // is initiated for the current movie clip.

    onClipEvent (load) {
    	startDrag (this, true);
    }

#### See also

`on`, `onClipEvent`