Connecting with External Sources > Connecting with external sources overview |  |

Connecting with external sources overview

Macromedia Flash MX movies can send information to and load information from external sources. For example, you can use actions and methods to communicate with server-side scripts, text files, and XML files.

You can load JPEG images and MP3 sound files into your movie as it plays. This allows you to update an image or sound without having to republish the original Flash Player (SWF) file.

To extend Flash so that it can send and receive messages from the movie's host environment—for example, the Flash Player or a JavaScript function in a Web browser—you can use `fscommand` and Flash Player methods.

Flash also provides components that you can drag and drop to create Web applications. Like built-in objects, components have predefined methods and properties, but they are reusable movie clips. For more information, see Using Components.