Adobe Flash is a multimedia technology developed and distributed by Adobe Systems. Flash is primarily used to add animation and interactivity to web pages. Most recently Adobe has released the Adobe AIR runtime, which now allows Flash to run in the Windows, OS X, and Linux environments. Flash utilizes ActionScript, an object oriented programming language, to allow more control over objects in the application.

Flash was originally created by Jonathan Gay, under the name FutureSplash Animator, to compete with Macromedia’s Shockwave technology in 1995. In December of 1996, Macromedia acquired FutureSplash Animator, and re-released the product under the name Flash. Macromedia, and its product line, was acquired by Adobe Systems on December 3, 2005. Since the acquisition there has been no shortage of product updates including the introduction of Actionscript 3.0.

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