Guidelines for creating a class

Remember the following guidelines when you create a class file:

Don't place multiple declarations on a single line.
For example, format your declarations as shown in the following example:
```
var prodSkuNum:Number;    // Product SKU (identifying) number
var prodQuantityNum:Number;  // Quantity of product
```
This example shows better form than putting both declarations on a single line. Place these declarations at the beginning of a block of code.
Initialize local variables when they are declared.
A class's properties should only be initialized in the declaration if the initializer is a compile-time constant.
Declare variables before you first use them.
This includes loops.
Avoid using local declarations that hide higher-level declarations.
For example, don't declare a variable twice, as the following example shows:
```
var counterNum:Number = 0;
function myMethod() {
    for (var counterNum:Number = 0; counterNum<=4; counterNum++) {
        // statements;
    }
}
```
This code declares the same variable inside an inner block, which is a practice to avoid.
Don't assign many variables to a single value in a statement.
Follow this convention because otherwise your code is difficult to read, as the following ActionScript code shows:
```
playBtn.onRelease = playBtn.onRollOut = playsound;
```
or
```
class User {
    private var m_username:String, m_password:String;
}
```
Make a method or property public only if it needs to be public for a reason. Otherwise, make your methods and properties private.
Don't overuse getter/setter functions in your class file.
Getter/setter functions are excellent for a variety of purposes (see About getter and setter methods), however overuse might indicate that you could improve upon your application's architecture or organization.
Set most member variables to private unless you have a good reason for making them public.
From a design standpoint, it is much better to make member variables private and allow access to those variables through a group of getter/setter functions only.

View comments on LiveDocs