Flash / Flex / ActionScript/Array/Associative Arrays

Define Arrays of Associative Arrays

 
package{
  import flash.display.Sprite;
  
  public class Main extends Sprite{
    public function Main(){
        var aCars:Array = new Array();
        aCars.push({make: "O", model: "A", extColor: "blue"});
        aCars.push({make: "H", model: "A", extColor: "red"});
        aCars.push({make: "V", model: "2", extColor: "red"});
        trace(aCars);
    }
  }
}

Dictionary Util

 
/*
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  Copyright(c) 2005 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved.
  
  Please read this Source Code License Agreement carefully before using
  the source code.
  
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  prepare derivative works of, publicly display, publicly perform, and
  distribute this source code and such derivative works in source or 
  object code form without any attribution requirements.  
  
  The name "Adobe Systems Incorporated" must not be used to endorse or promote products
  derived from the source code without prior written permission.
  
  You agree to indemnify, hold harmless and defend Adobe Systems Incorporated from and
  against any loss, damage, claims or lawsuits, including attorney"s 
  fees that arise or result from your use or distribution of the source 
  code.
  
  THIS SOURCE CODE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "WITH ALL FAULTS", WITHOUT 
  ANY TECHNICAL SUPPORT OR ANY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING,
  BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
  FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED.  ALSO, THERE IS NO WARRANTY OF 
  NON-INFRINGEMENT, TITLE OR QUIET ENJOYMENT.  IN NO EVENT SHALL MACROMEDIA
  OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
  EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, 
  PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS;
  OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, 
  WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR 
  OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOURCE CODE, EVEN IF
  ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
*/
package com.adobe.utils
{
  import flash.utils.Dictionary;
  
  public class DictionaryUtil
  {
    
    /**
    *  Returns an Array of all keys within the specified dictionary.  
    * 
    *   @param d The Dictionary instance whose keys will be returned.
    * 
    *   @return Array of keys contained within the Dictionary
    *
    *   @langversion ActionScript 3.0
    *  @playerversion Flash 9.0
    *  @tiptext
    */          
    public static function getKeys(d:Dictionary):Array
    {
      var a:Array = new Array();
      
      for (var key:Object in d)
      {
        a.push(key);
      }
      
      return a;
    }
    
    /**
    *  Returns an Array of all values within the specified dictionary.    
    * 
    *   @param d The Dictionary instance whose values will be returned.
    * 
    *   @return Array of values contained within the Dictionary
    *
    *   @langversion ActionScript 3.0
    *  @playerversion Flash 9.0
    *  @tiptext
    */          
    public static function getValues(d:Dictionary):Array
    {
      var a:Array = new Array();
      
      for each (var value:Object in d)
      {
        a.push(value);
      }
      
      return a;
    }
    
  }
}

Sorting by a Single Key

 
package{
  import flash.display.Sprite;
  
  public class Main extends Sprite{
    public function Main(){
        var aCars:Array = new Array();
        aCars.push({make: "O", model: "A", extColor: "blue"});
        aCars.push({make: "H", model: "A", extColor: "red"});
        aCars.push({make: "V", model: "2", extColor: "red"});
        aCars.sortOn("make");
        displayArray(aCars);
    }
    function displayArray(aArray:Array) {
      var sElement:String = null;
      for(var i:Number = 0; i < aArray.length; i++) {
        sElement = "";
        for(var key in aArray[i]) {
          sElement += aArray[i][key] + " ";
        }
        trace(sElement);
      }
    } 
  }
}

Sorting on Multiple Keys

 
package{
  import flash.display.Sprite;
  
  public class Main extends Sprite{
    public function Main(){
        var aCars:Array = new Array();
        aCars.push({make: "O", model: "A", extColor: "blue"});
        aCars.push({make: "H", model: "A", extColor: "red"});
        aCars.push({make: "V", model: "D", extColor: "red"});
        
        aCars.sortOn(["make","mode","extColor"]);
        displayArray(aCars);
    }
    function displayArray(aArray:Array) {
      var sElement:String = null;
      for(var i:Number = 0; i < aArray.length; i++) {
        sElement = "";
        for(var key in aArray[i]) {
          sElement += aArray[i][key] + " ";
        }
        trace(sElement);
      }
    }
  }
}

Sorting with Sort Flags

 
package{
  import flash.display.Sprite;
  
  public class Main extends Sprite{
    public function Main(){
    
        var aCars:Array = new Array();
        aCars.push({make: "O", model: "A", extColor: "blue"});
        aCars.push({make: "H", model: "A", extColor: "red"});
        aCars.push({make: "V", model: "242", extColor: "red"});
        aCars.sortOn("make", Array.DESCENDING);
        displayArray(aCars);
    
    }
    function displayArray(aArray:Array) {
      var sElement:String = null;
      for(var i:Number = 0; i < aArray.length; i++) {
        sElement = "";
        for(var key in aArray[i]) {
          sElement += aArray[i][key] + " ";
        }
        trace(sElement);
      }
    } 
  }
}

Use sorting flags when sorting with multiple keys

 
// The first parameter is an array of the keys on sort. 
// The second parameter is sorting flag constant.
package{
  import flash.display.Sprite;
  
  public class Main extends Sprite{
    public function Main(){
        var aCars:Array = new Array();
        aCars.push({make: "O", model: "A", extColor: "blue"});
        aCars.push({make: "H", model: "A", extColor: "red"});
        aCars.push({make: "V", model: "D", extColor: "red"});
        aCars.sortOn(["make","mode","extColor"], Array.DESCENDING);
        displayArray(aCars);
    }
    function displayArray(aArray:Array) {
      var sElement:String = null;
      for(var i:Number = 0; i < aArray.length; i++) {
        sElement = "";
        for(var key in aArray[i]) {
          sElement += aArray[i][key] + " ";
        }
        trace(sElement);
      }
    }
  }
}