User Guide

684 Chapter 2: ActionScript Language Reference

_parent

Availability

Flash Player 5.

Usage

_parent.property

_parent._parent.property

Description

Identifier; specifies or returns a reference to the movie clip or object that contains the current

movie clip or object. The current object is the object containing the ActionScript code that

references

_parent. Use _parent to specify a relative path to movie clips or objects that are above

the current movie clip or object.

Example

In the following example, there is a movie clip on the Stage with the instance name square_mc.

Within that movie clip is another movie clip with an instance name

circle_mc. The following

ActionScript lets you modify the

circle_mc parent instance (which is square_mc) when the

circle is clicked. When you are working with relative addressing (using

_parent instead of

_root), it might be easier to use the Insert Target Path button in the Actions panel at first.

this.square_mc.circle_mc.onRelease = function() {

this._parent._alpha -= 5;

};