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Declare a variable and assign it a value

When you need a variable, you must name it, or declare it. You must also assign it a value. You can either do both things at once, or you may declare a variable in one statement and then assign it a value in a later statement.

ActionScript uses three types of variables: local variables, global variables, and Timeline variables. You can use the `var` action inside a block of code (designated by curly brackets `{}`) to create a local variable, which disappears when the code block finishes running. You can use the `set variable` action to create a Timeline variable attached to the Timeline of a movie clip, which can be used in any script in the document. For more information about variables, see Understanding the ActionScript Language.

The puzzle.fla file uses the `var` action and the `set variable` action depending on the situation. When a variable is only needed within a block of code, the `var` action is used. The `dialog` variable is set and assigned using the `set variable` action.

Now you'll declare and assign a value to the `dialog` variable:

1 | Select File > Open and choose the version of mypuzzle.fla that you last saved.
| Note: You can also browse to your Flash MX application folder and open Tutorials/ActionScript/Finished/puzzle2.fla. If you do use the puzzle2.fla file, save the file with a new name in your My_Puzzle folder to maintain an unadulterated version of the original file.
2 | Select Frame 1 of the Actions layer. If the Actions panel isn't open, choose Window > Actions.
3 | In the Script pane of the Actions panel, select line 11, which is the last line of code in the Initialize section. In the Actions toolbox, choose Actions > Variables and double-click the `set variable` action.
4 | Type dialog in the Variable text box.
5 | Type true in the Value text box. Select Expression, to the right of the Value text box.
| By selecting Expression, you are telling Flash that `true` is not a literal string of characters.
| In the movie's initial state, a dialog box is visible on the Stage. Therefore, the `dialog` variable must be set to `true` at the start of the movie—otherwise, a user can move the puzzle pieces before they are scrambled.
6 | Choose File > Save As and enter a new filename. Use a consecutive naming scheme so you can revert to earlier versions of the file, if necessary.