Javascript animated collapsible panels without any frameworks

Javascript animated collapsible panels without any frameworks

By Armand Niculescu on April 13, 2009

If you need to make collapsible panels that remember their state, but don’t want to use any javascript framework, this tutorial will help you do this with no headaches – and you’ll learn some neat javascript tricks too!

Full Story »
Does your PHP/MySQL app speak Unicode?

Does your PHP/MySQL app speak Unicode?

By Armand Niculescu on March 30, 2009

I find it very annoying when I come across web apps that still can’t handle non-ASCII characters correctly. In this article, I’ll show you how, with just a few lines of code, you can “globalize” your online app.

Vulnerability Analysis for Flash Developers

Vulnerability Analysis for Flash Developers

By Armand Niculescu on March 24, 2009

Flash Developers get a new shiny and powerful tool for their toolbox: static analysis (and a free decompiler) from HP.

Generate Objects from Xml Files

Generate Objects from Xml Files

By Sanda Borlea on November 29, 2008

Recently needed some quick method to use objects generated from an existing xml file without bothering to create an xml schema for it.
After a few attempts and searching for explanations why a simple task like this wouldn´t work, finally put the steps together :1. Use VS2008 CommandPrompt Tool and run :
xsd.exe xmlNameFile.xml /outputdir:DirName
2. The above [...]

AS3 Performance Optimization

AS3 Performance Optimization

By Armand Niculescu on November 27, 2008

Working on a CPU-intensive app in flash is a challenging experience. It can be wonderful or frustrating, depending on your mindset.
Based on my experience with the flash chess and other intensive applications, I’ll give some tips and ideas on how to get the most out of your flash project.

Does your code need to be optimized?
The [...]

Flash CS4 supports conditional compilation

Flash CS4 supports conditional compilation

By Armand Niculescu on September 26, 2008

With all the excitement about CS4 and the major features it brings (3D, the new timeline and so on), some less ’shiny’ improvements tend to be overlooked.
Such is the case with conditional compilation. Developers familiar with “real” compilers will instantly know its power.Conditional compilation allows for blocks of code to be compiled or not based [...]

Actionscript, chess and the quest for performance

Actionscript, chess and the quest for performance

By Armand Niculescu on June 30, 2008

The reaction to flashCHESSIII has been overwhelmingly positive, especially on forums, even though the blog entry received just a reply.
Advanced chess players were expecting a tougher engine though (some players have estimated an Elo rating of of 1500-1800 for the engine).
The first time I compiled and run the engine, after weeks of just writing code, [...]