Using the Debug and Release Versions of Macromedia Flash Player

Macromedia Flash Basic 8 and Flash Professional 8 include an integrated debugger. To use this feature, you need to use debug-enabled versions of the Macromedia Flash Player. The debug versions of Flash Player are identical to the non-debug-enabled (release) versions, except that the debug versions contain additional code to communicate with Flash Basic and Flash Professional

To facilitate development and debugging, the Flash Basic and Flash Professional installers install debug versions of the ActiveX control or plug-in your browser application directory by default. Note, however, that the versions of Flash Player that are available for download from the Macromedia website are the release versions; the debug versions are only available with the Flash Basic and Flash Professional products.

For that reason, Flash Basic 8 and Flash Professional 8 include digitally signed installers and players for the plug-in, ActiveX control, and the stand-alone (projectors) files so you may freely switch between debug and release authoring modes. The digital signature certifies that the files are authentic and free of tampering