Ian Serlin

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<s:Label xmlns:fx="http://ns.adobe.com/mxml/2009" 
		 xmlns:s="library://ns.adobe.com/flex/spark" 
		 xmlns:mx="library://ns.adobe.com/flex/halo"
		 fontSize="14"
		 fontWeight="bold"
		 right="0" bottom="0"
		 addedToStage="reset()">
 
	<fx:Script>
		<![CDATA[
			import spark.components.supportClasses.SkinnableTextBase;
 
			/**
			 * If true, the CharacterCountDown will look something like "123".
			 * If false, the CharacterCountDown will look something like "123 characters left".
			 * 
			 * @default true
			 */
			public var onlyNumbers:Boolean = true;
 
			[Bindable] private var _target:SkinnableTextBase;
 
			/**
			 * Set the component that this CharacterCountDown instance will watch.
			 */
			public function set target( value:SkinnableTextBase ):void {
				_target = value;
				if( _target != null ){
					_target.addEventListener( KeyboardEvent.KEY_UP, handleKeyUp );
				}
			}
 
			public function get target():SkinnableTextBase {
				return _target;
			}
 
			public function reset():void {
				this.text = "";
			}
 
			private function handleKeyUp( e:KeyboardEvent ):void {
				var characters_left:int = (target.maxChars - target.text.length);
				this.text = String( characters_left );
				if( !onlyNumbers ){
					this.text += " character" + ( characters_left != 1 ? 's' : '' ) + " left"; 
				}
			}
 
			/**
			 * Causes the CharacterCountDown to stop watching any previously assigned target. 
			 */
			public function dispose():void {
				if( _target != null ){
					_target.removeEventListener( KeyboardEvent.KEY_UP, handleKeyUp );
					_target = null;
				}
			}
 
		]]>
	</fx:Script>
</s:Label>