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Allrighty then, lets get some external data into flash using php. We're not going to use a MySql databse this time, that's something for the next tutorial. In this example we're going to fill a comboBox, a txtbox, and a listBox in flash with data taken from a php file. To complete this tutorial you''ll have to have access to a webserver and have php enabled on your sytem.

If you don't know what im talking about, download this little app: phpdev.

phpdev will setup: an apacheServer ( the webserver), php, MySql and phpMyAdmin, and you don't have to do nothing else than download the executable, run it, and everything will be done automatically for ya without any troubles (i hope).

this is the link to their site:http://www.firepages.com.au/

And here is a link to the file you will have to install to follow along with this tutorial, its a true gem this little app :)

http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/phpdev5/phpdev423.exe

After the installation a folder will be made on your system named phpdev (default). In this folder there will be a folder named "www", this will be your web root and will be the place where you will test your php files. At the end of the installation, if everything went ok, the server will be executed and you will be taken to the web _root in your favourite browser. If not, fire up your favourite browser and type http://localhost/ in your url box. You will see an environment you probably have seen before surfing on the net.

Figure 1: This is how the apacheServer environment looks like.

So to give a quick example, when I would write I little php file that should print out some string, running that file normally wont do anything but open the file and show the source in a text editor. It wouldn't execute the php file and do the stuff you want like print some value. The magic starts after you copy that phpfile into the www foder (remember c:phpdevwww). Make sure you have the apache server running ( just press the link that is made in your programs folder). After you did that you have to fire up your favourite browser, type http://localhost/ and you are taken to your web _root(just like in the pic above). If everything went ok, you will see the php file you just copied into the www folder. Now when I would press the file to execute it (the php file), the php file is handled correctly and spits out a string (in this case).

Ok php is now setup (not even talking about mysql and phpmyadmin), we are now ready to do some php to flash stuff and even better , your system is now prepared for further experiences with php, the database MySql, and the MySql database manager phpMyAdmin. Time for some code. Let us first write the php file that holds the data that we'll send to flash.

In this example we will place 9 variables in a php script and send those variables to flash. The first three will be passed to a combobox, the next three go to three txtboxes and the last three pieces of data will loaded into a listbox. So now fire up your favourite editor ( I use sciTE|Flash ) and write this piece of phpcode in it. Then save it as myData.php. (Or just download It)

b.t.w. Dont forget to place this php code between the php tags:
"<" + "?" at the start
The php code comes here.
"?" + ">" at the end
both without the " "

This is the php Code.

$dataForCombobox_1 = "This is our FIRST variable, get ready combobox here I come";
$dataForCombobox_2 = "This is our SECOND variable, get ready combobox here I come";
$dataForCombobox_3 = "This is our THIRD variable, get ready combobox here I come";
$dataForListbox_1 = "This is our FIRST variable, get ready listbox here I come";
$dataForListbox_2 = "This is our SECOND variable, get ready listbox here I come";
$dataForListbox_3 = "This is our THIRD variable, get ready listbox here I come";
$dataForTxtbox_1 = "This is our FIRST variable, get ready textbox here I come";
$dataForTxtbox_2 = "This is our SECOND variable, get ready textbox here I come";
$dataForTxtbox_3 = "This is our THIRD variable, get ready textbox here I come";

print("&comboData1=$dataForCombobox_1");
print("&comboData2=$dataForCombobox_2");
print("&comboData3=$dataForCombobox_3");
print("&listbData1=$dataForListbox_1");
print("&listbData2=$dataForListbox_2");
print("&listbData3=$dataForListbox_3");
print("&textbData1=$dataForTxtbox_1");
print("&textbData2=$dataForTxtbox_2");
print("&textbData3=$dataForTxtbox_3");

The file should explain itself pretty well I guess. First we set 9 variables to hold a string of text, this is the text we want to show in flash. I gave the variables names that shows something about it, so that should make it a bit easier to understand. In php a variable needs to be declared with a $ sign, and php isnt as forgiving about the ; sign. you'll have to place em. So then we assign that php variable(with the $) to a variable that we'll send to flash via the print command. The variables that are being send to flash all have the & sign, just as when we send a variable via a text file to flash.

If I would run this file through my browser (after copying it into my www folder), it would give me the output as show in figure 2. Just look at this output carefully and look at the php script carefully and you will see the logic behind it. Because we get the output we want, we know the php script is functioning correctly. Before you start coding the flash part, always make sure you get the right output from the php file. That saves you a lotta trouble and screaming at the computer ;)

If all went ok you now know How to test the php file, remember:
1: Copy your php file to the www folder.

2: Make sure apache server is running.

3: Fire up your favorite browser and type in the url box: http://localhost/

4: Browse to your php file and press it to execute it.

If the file is working correctly the output is shown e.g. as in figure 2 and you can start to think about opening flash.

Figure 2: the output of the php file.

Well peoples, finally, lets open up flash mx. We only need a little bit of code in the main timeline of our swf. We're going to use the loadVars object to receive our data from the php file. So flash will receive the variables we printed in the php file and those variables contain the text strings that we wanna display.

This is the flash code that needs to be placed in the mainTimeline on a frame.

//First we make a new loadvars object to hold the variables that are being loaded from the php file.
myData = new LoadVars();
//this is the part where we execute the function that handles the loaded data.
myData.onLoad = function(){
placeTheDataIntoTheRightPlace();//call the function that handles the data.
};
//here we load in the php file, make sure you set the right path to your file!
myData.load("http://localhost/myData.php");

//This is the function that handles the actual data.
//The variables now sorta live in the loadVars object we set named myData so we can call em like:
//myData.myVariableInthePhpPrintedString.
//Just look at the script carefully and check how the variables are being called.
//Then it should become all a bit more clear to ya.
placeTheDataIntoTheRightPlace = function(){
myComboBox.addItemAt(0,myData.comboData1);
myComboBox.addItemAt(1,myData.comboData2);
myComboBox.addItemAt(2,myData.comboData3);
myListBox.addItemAt(0,myData.listbData1);
myListBox.addItemAt(1,myData.listbData2);
myListBox.addItemAt(2,myData.listbData3);
txtBox1.text = myData.textbData1;
txtBox2.text = myData.textbData2;
txtBox3.text = myData.textbData3;
};

If everything went ok, you now have a functioning testing environment for php. Having setup a localhost can really open doors for you. Now that u know what it is and how you can send some data to flash possibilities are growing . I hope everything went ok 4 you, cause i know how frustrating things get when its going all wrong :D

Greetz from Deamothul -the Script Keeper-
Any questions you have about this tutorial i will be glad to answer, (but keep in mind, im just a normal guy struggling in this world of code and other stuff, im really no pro, (hehe, although i try) i just love to script).

You can contact me at: i_love_actionscript@hotmail.com

Figure 3: This is how the movie could finally look, check the file thats up for download.

My name is Erwin Schiphouwer a.k.a deamothul, im 25 and live in Groningen in
the Netherlands.
Im totally hooked on actionscript and especially in combination with php and
mysql.
I taught what i know by myself and still learn new things every day.
I hope to spread some love for scripting and make it a bit more easy for
people just starting out.