# What is :e?

**URL:** <https://forum.kirupa.com/t/what-is-e/319495>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [February 22, 2011, 7:05pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/what-is-e/319495 "2011-02-22T19:05:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dLcarlton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dLcarlton](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/dLcarlton)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 7:05pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/what-is-e/319495/1 "2011-02-22T19:05:07Z")

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Hi, I’m new here and to AS3. I’ve got a book that is laying it all down nicely for me, however, there is this :e that I can’t find an explanation for. Here it is in line 2 of the following:

addEventListener(Event.ENTER\_FRAME, starRotate);  
function starRotate(e:Event):void  
{  
if (star\_mc.x \< stage.stageWidth)  
{  
star\_mc.rotation += 5;  
}  
else  
{  
star\_mc.x = 0;  
}  
}

I’ve accidentally typed “event” a few times and found it when rechecking the code for my copious errors, but that’s never been the issue. Why does it work both ways, when “event” turns blue and :e stays black? anything and everything you can tell me about it will be greatly appreciated.

I know it’s a super newbie question and weird that I care but it’s these small details in all things that distract me from the greater picture. Please, help me to stop thinking about this!!! 🙂 thanks so much