call Actionscript method from JS without loading SWF

Question

Well yeah, it sounds funny, but all I want is to read the value of Capabilities.version to get the right version of the Flash player? I have tried getting the version info from swfObject library, but it doesn't give the complete version info: http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flashplayer/articles/swfobject.html

FP version info have 4 numbers: major, minor, release and build. I couldn't find an API which can give me all four on all browsers without loading SWF. Hence I am looking for help here.

I think I'll have to do that only, I was looking for a cleaner approach — Ankit
– Ankit, Commented Sep 27, 2011 at 20:18
You don't have to add a swf to a object with flash type to get the version of the plugin. You just need to add the object to the dom — The_asMan
– The_asMan, Commented Sep 27, 2011 at 21:25

The_asMan · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-27 21:24:47Z

1

SWFObject has a detection function built into it and for the most part it is cross-browser capable.
The function name is getFlashPlayerVersion
It returns an object with 3 attributes major, minor,release

[EDIT]
SWFObject also has a function called testPlayerVersion.
I shortened it up for you but I think it gets what you want.

var o = createElement(OBJECT);
o.setAttribute("type", FLASH_MIME_TYPE);
alert( doc.getElementsByTagName("body")[0].appendChild(o).GetVariable("$version") )
doc.getElementsByTagName("body")[0].removeChild(o);

Remember this is not browser compliant.
Pretty sure you need to test for plugin or active x also.

edited Sep 27, 2011 at 21:24

answered Sep 27, 2011 at 19:43

The_asMan

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5 Comments

Ankit Over a year ago

I know that and that's why I mentioned it doesn't give full info. I need the build info as well.. for some bug with a specific release.

The_asMan Over a year ago

Release is the build info. Or am I missing something.

The_asMan Over a year ago

Found a much better test you might be able to add to code.google.com/p/doctype/wiki/ArticleDetectFlash

Ankit Over a year ago

Thanks the_asMan but I have already tried getFlashPlayerVersion. Everything gives me 3 numbers not fourth! Same does your link above. I'll rather have to go with creating my own swf itself.

The_asMan Over a year ago

Did you try the code I posted It works for the plugin but not for ActiveX so you are half way there.

Jevgenij Dmitrijev · Accepted Answer · 2011-09-27 19:13:01Z

0

You do not need to load flash to know what is the version of the player. There for is JS.

http://www.featureblend.com/javascript-flash-detection-library.html

answered Sep 27, 2011 at 19:13

Jevgenij Dmitrijev

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1 Comment

Ankit Over a year ago

Thanks but swfObject does the same thing, now I tend to believe that there is a technical limitation on getting the complete flash version from JS

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