AS3 Using variable from one function in another - not working

Question

Can't seem to get the value of myXML outside the function, despite being declared outside. What am I missing here? The data loads and traces correctly inside the function.

var myLoader:URLLoader = new URLLoader();
myLoader.load(new URLRequest("flightPlannerBoard.xml"));

var myXML:XML;

// Check XML data fully loaded
myLoader.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, processXML);

function processXML(e:Event):void {

myXML = new XML(e.target.data);
//trace(myXML);
}
trace(myXML);

The last statement (trace(myXML);) is executed before the XML is loaded. To confirm this, create another function that traces XML content and call that function from processXML function after you create the XML. — package
– package, Commented Feb 27, 2012 at 9:05
Yep, that worked! ' function processXML(e:Event):void { myXML = new XML(e.target.data); myXMLtrace(); } function myXMLtrace(){ trace(myXML.*); }' — user1203605
– user1203605, Commented Feb 27, 2012 at 9:17

shanethehat · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-27 09:19:18Z

1

Because ActionScript is asyncronous as others have said, you cannot control the flow of execution by code placement. What you must do is control execution through the events, and so whatever actions you want to perform with the loaded XML should be in the processXML function or in another function that is called from processXML:

var myXML:XML;

function processXML(e:Event):void {
    myXML = new XML(e.target.data);
    trace(myXML);  //this trace will work
    doNextAction();
}

function doNextAction():void {
    trace(myXML);  //this trace will also work
}

answered Feb 27, 2012 at 9:19

shanethehat

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1 Comment

user1203605 Over a year ago

Thanks for your help, that's good to know for other stuff as I learn AS3.

Tim D'Haene · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-27 09:02:15Z

0

You should declare your XML variable outside your function in order to be able to use it in another function

private var myXML:XML;

answered Feb 27, 2012 at 9:02

Tim D'Haene

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6 Comments

user1203605 Over a year ago

Isn't that what I did? (minus the Private)

Tim D'Haene Over a year ago

I suppose the first four lines of codes are declared in the public function of your class, above that you should declare variables that you wan't to use in multiple functions

user1203605 Over a year ago

Tried but no change. Created a new FLA file and pasted in just this code but no change.

Jonatan Hedborg Over a year ago

This is not relevant for timeline code, which I assume this is.

user1203605 Over a year ago

Correct. Haven't got that far with AS3 yet.

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Jonatan Hedborg · Accepted Answer · 2012-02-27 09:03:26Z

0

Actionscript is an asynchronous language, meaning the trace "outside" the callback will be called before the file has loaded. The execution order in your case is:

create instance of URLLoader
start loading file
add event listener to listen to the complete event
trace out myXML
(or at some point later) finish loading xml file

answered Feb 27, 2012 at 9:03

Jonatan Hedborg

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2 Comments

user1203605 Over a year ago

processXML should only fire once the XML file is loaded - which is why it works inside. So, in this case, how can I get the value out of the function?

Jonatan Hedborg Over a year ago

The setting of the value should be fine as it is, but it will only be available after the XML file has loaded, not when the execution reaches your trace method. You need to ensure that you do not try to use the myXML variable until the processXML-function is called.

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