Can I have a variable number of arguments in AS3?

Having programmed in Java extensively before, I am used to the various features of Java that I take them for granted. Even today, when I first think of the logic for a program, it is based on what can be done in Java and what can’t. So, when I had to use ActionScript for a client, I felt a little disoriented (But naturally!) And that’s when I started trying to figure out how to use the features of Java that I am so accustomed to, for instance, the varargs functionality, in AS3. Whether such features existed in AS3 or whether I needed to adapt my programming to a whole new set of features? To my relief, I found that most of the Java features that I was used to were part of AS3 too.

Getting back to the example mentioned above, I figured out that an AS3 function can be defined to take a variable number of arguments similar to the varargs functionality of Java. What’s more is that there are two ways to accomplish the same: one by using the (rest) parameter and the other by using the arguments object.

I’ll give you a sample of the first method:

private function addition(… args):Number{

  var sum:Number = 0;
  for(var i:int = 0; i<args.length;i++){
     sum += args[i];
  }
  return sum;
}

Now all the following calls can be used without the hassle of redefining the function

  var a:Number = addition(10,50);

  a = addition(10,50,100);
  a = addition(10,50,100,500);
  a = addition(10,50,100,500,1000);

This little discovery definitely took some stress off me. I hope it helps you too.