Introduction to ActionScript Tutorial > Initialize the movie > Test your syntax |  |

Test your syntax

ActionScript, like written language, depends on correct syntax. If the syntax is incorrect, the action will not execute correctly. Flash offers a variety of ways for you to test your syntax.

1 | Click the options menu in the upper right corner of the Actions panel title bar and choose Check Syntax.
| If the syntax is correct, a message appears stating that the script contains no errors.
| If the syntax is incorrect, a message appears stating the script contains errors; the Output window opens and displays information about the error.
2 | Click OK to close the syntax message.

In normal mode, ActionScript syntax errors appear highlighted in red in the Script pane. If you move your mouse pointer over the error, a tooltip displays the error message. Syntax error messages also appear highlighted along the bottom status area of the Actions panel.

Additionally, as you learned in the Introduction to Flash MX Tutorial, you can choose Control > Test Movie throughout authoring to test if your movie plays as expected.