Huh? Okay Okay, let's see... In the real world "objects" are things like cardboard boxes, pencils, coffee mugs, chairs - you know... "things." The fundamental "objects" within Flash are things like graphics, movie clips, bitmaps, and audio. "Object Orientated" is simply the easiest way to convey the bottom level idea behind the ActionScript programming structure.
The fundamental "objects" in actionscript are variables, arrays, functions, objects (yes - an "object" object.) and things that control or evaluate movie clip's or movie clip properties. Now don't freak out about these terms... they are really not as evil as you think, actually, they are pretty useful. I suppose the best way to understand these fundemental ideas is to consider them as "modes of communication" - or "different ways to communicate." Rather than being ordinary objects like, a brick, or an elephant, Actionscript objects are "wired" things like a phone, or a TV, or a remote control.
Think about it... whenever you use action script you use it to tell something to do something - right? For instance, when you want a button to link to a new web page, you tell the button "when the mouse clicks on you, tell the browser to get a new web page." The fundamental objects in actionscript basically enable you to observe, inventory, reference, and control the "things" in your flash movie.
Before we begin, here are a couple of things you should memorize:
1. You always have to tell the stupid computer what you intend to do, before you do it. Kinda like using your turn signal when driving.
2. And most importantly OUTPUT = INPUT This is really super important, since most of actionscript is based on this theory.
Now you must understand that we are going to attempt to explain concepts... this means that you probably won't "get it" the first time through.... so first skim quickly through each section once, then start at the beginning of the section again and read thoroughly.
This document will cover the four basic actionscript "things" and some bonus material that will help you in your endevour.
1. The Variable
2. Control and Evaluation of Movie Clips
3. Functions
4. Arrays
5. If, For, While
Once you have read through these 5 sections, you should have a pretty good understanding of what actionscripting is all about... and you should be able to do pretty much anythign you can dream up... The best way to apply what you have learned is to think up a game, and attempt to build it out... the game doesn't have to be anything super complicated, but it is the best way to excersize all of the facets of Flash and actionscript. Additionally, i lke to use a game to learn about Actionscript because you will have a focus and a motivation to solve the problems yourself. Here are a couple of games you might want to consider building... just to give you an idea:
Hangman
2 payer Tick-tack-toe
2 player checkers