ActionScript for Flash MX: The Definitive Guide, 2nd Edition By Colin Moock
Chapter 18. ActionScript Language Reference
$version "Global" Property
Flash 5
the version of the Flash PlayerFlash 4 Build 11; deprecated in
read-only
_root.$version
Description
The $version property contains the same string as the return value of the global getVersion( ) function and the System.capabilities.version property (the operating system, followed by Player version information). See the capabilities.version entry (under "C" in this Language Reference) for complete details on the format of the version information and version detection from within a browser before the Flash Player loads.
The $version property was introduced midway through the life cycle of Flash Player 4 and was replaced by getVersion( ) in Flash 5, which itself was replaced by System.capabilities.version in Flash 6. Technically, it is not a global property, but a property of the main movie timeline; from any other movie clip timeline, it must be accessed as _root.$version.
Usage
Use $version only if you are exporting to Flash 4 format; use getVersion( ) if you are exporting to Flash 5 format; and use System.capabilities.version if you are exporting to Flash 6 format.
