System News for Sun Users

New Documentation for with JavaFX 2.0.2 Release

2011-12-14T17:00:00+01:00

New information has been added to the documentation for the JavaFX 2.0.2 update. This includes the following:

Styling Charts with CSS describes how to alter the visual appearance of charts in your application.
The Menu chapter of the JavaFX UI Controls tutorial describes how to build a menu bar in your application
Handling JavaFX Events describes how to create and use event handlers and event filters
Using a Doclet with JavaFX describes how to use the Javadoc doclet
Deploying JavaFX Applications describes a new JavaFX Ant helper parameter, <fx:argument>.

You can download JavaFX 2.0.2 from OTN.

Richard Bair on JavaFX 2.0 Architecture and Programming Model

2011-11-25T17:00:00+01:00

In his JavaOne 2011 presentation on JavaFX Architecture Richard Bair's program agenda covers architecture, observable collections, properties, events, callbacks, and threading. Rather than concentrating on the JavaFX Public APIs and Scenegraph, Bair focuses his presentation of the implementation on the toolkit interface, the quantum toolkit, Prism, and Glass. Blogger robilad provides links to both Nicolas Lorain's Introduction to JavaFX 2.0, which he recommends as an introduction, and to Bair's above mentioned presentation. Both talks are on parleys.com and both are one hour plus in length.

Mac OS X JavaFX 2.0 Preview and Tutorial: Download now

2011-11-02T16:00:00+01:00

A significant announcement at JavaOne, Terrence Barr reminds readers of his blog, was the news that JavaFX 2.0 is available for MacOS X as a developer preview, along with NetBeans 7.1 Beta, which includes full support for JavaFX 2.0 as well as Java 7. Barr provides links to these downloads as well as to FAQs on JavaFX 2.0. A further link leads to a tutorial on JavaFX 2.0 that deals with getting started, creating a user interface, effects, animation and media, application logic, API reference and deployment.

JavaFX 2.0 Now Available for Download

2011-10-05T16:00:00+01:00

Among the many announcements from Oracle at JavaOne 2011 was the news that JavaFFX 2.0 is now available. JavaFX 2.0 is an advanced Java user interface (UI) platform for enterprise business applications and the next step in the evolution of Java as a premier rich client platform. Oracle also announced their intention to submit a proposal to open source the JavaFX platform as a new project within the OpenJDK Community. Oracle intends to initially contribute the JavaFX UI controls and related libraries; other JavaFX components are planned to follow in multiple phases.

Top 5 Docs to Introduce You to JavaFX

2011-08-01T16:00:00+01:00

"Top Five Docs to Introduce You to JavaFX" covers several aspects of the new release of JavaFX 2.0 Beta. The titles include:

What is JavaFX?: Maybe you've worked with previous versions of JavaFX or maybe you are new to JavaFX. Either way, this doc explains the features of JavaFX 2.0 Beta and what type of applications you can build with it.
Getting Started With JavaFX: Once you've gotten a feel for JavaFX, you're ready to try building an application. This guide steps you through the basics of a JavaFX application, then shows how to enhance the application with visual effects and bring it to life with animation.
JavaFX Architecture and Framework: Now for a little deep diving. This guide explains the JavaFX 2.0 APIs and the programming model.

UI Controls and Layout: Many applications need controls. Here you'll learn about the button, text box, scroll bar, and the rest of the controls, and also how to ensure they are properly positioned, aligned, and resized. You'll see samples of how to use each control.

But wait, there's more: There is documentation about the JavaFX scene graph, embedded browser, media, interoperability with Swing, and more.

JavaFX 2.0 Beta Download Now Available

2011-06-01T16:00:00+01:00

JavaFX 2.0 Beta is available according to blogger Tori Weildt who writes, "this release is the latest development in Oracle's long-term commitment (roadmap) "to making JavaFX a premier rich client platform." Weildt says, "JavaFX provides a powerful and expressive Java-based UI platform capable of handling large-scale computationally intensive data-driven business applications, Weildt maintains, adding that . JavaFX applications, which are completely developed in Java nonetheless leverage the power of standards-based programming practices and design patterns. JavaFX provides a rich set of UI controls, graphics and media API with high-performance hardware-accelerated graphics, web and media engines to simplify development of immersive visual applications, Weildt adds, noting that developers in JavaFX can preserve existing investments by reusing Java libraries in their JavaFX applications and can even access native system capabilities via the Java native interface, or seamlessly connect to server-based Java EE middleware applications.

Java Spotlight Episode 16 - Richar Bair

2011-02-16T17:00:00+01:00

Java Spotlight Episode 16 features Richard Bair, Java Client Architect and Alexis Moussine-Pouchkine, Java EE evangelist, in a discussion about Java FX 2.0 Early Access Release. Bair gives some insights into the Java FX 2.0 Early Access Release, which is open to Java FX Partners, Java Champions, and Java User Groups. The biggest difference between Java FX 2.0 and Java FX 1.3, according to Bair, is that the emphasis is strongly on Java and making certain it is amenable to Java developers. Listen to the mp3 file for the whole story.

Real-World JavaFX Applications: loadUI

2010-10-14T16:00:00+01:00

"Real-World JavaFX Applications: loadUI," James Weaver's posting on "loadUI, an ... outstanding load-testing tool" that combines JavaFX with such technologies as Groovy and OSGi, suggests that a quick way to get an overview of this application is to play the demo videos on the eviware.com site. Weaver provides a link to the loadUI demo movies.

Tips for Developing on the JavaFX TV Platform

2010-10-08T16:00:00+01:00

From Oracle's JavaFX web site comes an article on "Tips for Developing on the JavaFX TV Platform" by Larry Hoffman and Jim Holliday. The authors write that their article describes some of the ways in which the television platform differs from the desktop platform, providing tips and guidelines for designing effective television applications. In addition, the article also provides some guidelines for moving applications written for the desktop platform to the television platform.

JavaFX 2.0 Planned for Third Quarter of 2011

2010-09-29T16:00:00+01:00

Oracle plans on introducing a new set of Java APIs that will open JavaFX capabilities to all Java developers without the need for them to learn a new scripting language. This update, expected in the next release of JavaFX due out in calendar Q3 of 2011, promises to deliver advanced graphics, high-fidelity media, and the ability to render HTML content within Java applications.

JavaFX 1.3.1 SDK Released

2010-08-12T16:00:00+01:00

The recent release of JavaFX 1.3.1 improves the startup experience for applications created with JavaFX and provides a number of bug fixes. This version introduces a new default process for starting JavaFX applet and Web Start applications, which can be customized. Developers upgrading to JavaFX 1.3.1 can create their applications to provide better feedback during startup.

JavaFX Powers Fantasy Baseball Applications for MLB.com

2010-07-23T16:00:00+01:00

JavaFX is helping power two MLB.com Fantasy Baseball games. Built upon Java technology, JavaFX delivers interactive and expressive user experiences, which is ideal for MLB.com's applications Fantasy Live Draft and Live Scoreboard. The first application allows each fantasy team owner to interact dynamically with the thousands of fantasy leagues. The second application allows users to see their team's up-to-the-minute statistics, as roster players earn fantasy points during live baseball games.

Using the JavaFX JDBC Data Source

2010-07-15T16:00:00+01:00

Blogging on the Dr. Dobbs's site, Eric Bruno writes about JavaFX's built-in support for JDBC, including the various data formats available through a set of Data Source components, such as relational databases, files, the file system itself, and web-based data. Bruno explains the use of these features in a manner that does not require the writing of much data handling code, employing the JavaFX Composer tool.

New User-interface Control Components in JavaFX SDK 1.2

2010-05-12T16:00:00+01:00

Users of JavaFX SDK 1.2 now have a capability previously unavailable to them in the new set of user-interface control components featured in the release. These afford not only greater portability but allow programmers to create more compelling graphical capabilities, writes Robert Eckstein in his Sun Developer Network piece "JavaFX 1.2 UI Control Components: Part Two: Nodes and Buttons." Part One discussed new layout classes in JavaFX.

JFXtras 0.6

2010-05-07T16:00:00+01:00

The open-source JFXtras project, which offers the largest third-party library of JavaFX add-ons, released version 0.6 in April. Java Champion Stephen Chin reviews the project's features like wipes, shapes, advanced layouts, and borders, among others, in a blog entry. He offers Web Start demos on some of the highlighted features, giving readers a first-hand look at JFXtras capabilities in action.

JavaFX 1.3 Released

2010-04-26T16:00:00+01:00

In just a year and a half, JavaFX has grown significantly, and is continuing its improvements, as is evident in its latest release, version 1.3. Considered a significant update, JavaFX 1.3 features new and enhanced support for UI controls, CSS, and programmatic layout; a native JavaFX font family called Amble; support for the development of TV applications, including a new TV emulator; enhancements for mobile applications, with the availability of the mobile emulator on the Mac platform; support and improved editing features in NetBeans IDE 6.9 Beta; and new features and enhanced performance in JavaFX Production Suite.

JavaFX and the Enterprise: A Good Match?

2010-04-13T16:00:00+01:00

Java luminary Adam Bien -- both a Java Champion and a Java Rock Star -- answers affirmatively the question he poses in a recent blog "Is JavaFX Ready for the Enterprise?" On his way to "yes" Bien poses 11 questions and provides answers that bolster his conclusion.

"JavaFX: Just Getting Started"

2010-03-08T17:00:00+01:00

In this Oracle Technology Network's TechCast, Nandini Ramani, director of Java Development at Oracle, brings news about innovation, evangelism, and adoption in the JavaFX area. The video runs 25:40. Watch it now.

A Glance at the New UI Layout Control Components in JavaFX 1.2

2010-02-19T17:00:00+01:00

"JavaFX 1.2 UI Control Components: Part 1, Layouts" by Robert Eckstein, java.sun.com senior staff writer, discusses the new user interface (UI) control components that are features of JavaFX SDK 1.2. He explains that these components replace those in earlier versions that were derived from Swing and that limited users to the desktop profile. The new control components, Eckstein writes, enable developers to create more compelling graphical capabilities with the JavaFX scene graph.

JavaFX Platform Is the Official Rich Client Technology for the 2010 Winter Games

2010-02-11T17:00:00+01:00

The JavaFX and Java platforms are being used as the Official Rich Client Technology by the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). The historical Winter Games medal results will be available online through an innovative JavaFX application called Medal Wheel.

JavaFX and Why You Should Give It a Try

2010-02-03T17:00:00+01:00

Java Champion and Rock Star Adam Bien, author of "Real World Java EE Patterns," shared his views on JavaFX with Janice J. Heiss in interview published in January 2010. Getting right to the heart of the subject, he identified the inclusion of "good skinnable components" in version JavaFX 1.2 as a welcome improvement. "JavaFX requires writing less code while it integrates very well with existing business logic written in Java. A reason to go the JavaFX route is better maintainability, and faster development with less code," he said.

New and Updated Java-FX How-to Topics

2010-01-26T17:00:00+01:00

The Sun Docs team has added some new topics to the Java-FX How-to page. These documents are complementary to the JavaFX tutorials that demonstrate the basics of the JavaFX Script programming language and GUI concepts in JavaFX technology. Some updates in the How-to's came directly from readers' questions and comments. The community's insight is invaluable and the Sun Sun Docs team encourages feedback.

A Conversation on JavaFX

2009-10-01T16:00:00+01:00

Author of "Beginning Java SE 6 Platform: From Novice to Professional" among other books, Jeff Friesen (known as JavaJeff to his fans), had a conversation with Reviews Interactive during which he shared his views of JavaFX and details of his work developing JavaFX software on the Windows XP SP3 platform.

Leading Independent IPTV Specialists Incorporate JavaFX

2009-09-10T16:00:00+01:00

The JavaFX TV Platform has been chosen by Amino Communications to be used in its next generation IPTV set-top boxes (STBs). This will enable third-party JavaFX developers to create new, expressive content that combines IP-delivered secure video with the JavaFX platform. Content authors also will be able to take these applications to multiple screens with JavaFX's support for the browser, desktop, and mobile platforms.

A Glance at the Present and Future with JavaFX Developer Stephen Chin

2009-09-09T16:00:00+01:00

Stephen Chin, creator of WidgetFX and co-author of the Pro JavaFX Platform book, spoke recently with Reviews Interactive on the subject of JavaFX and his involvement with it. Chin said he does his development work on a quad-core, 64-bit Windows box; a Mac that enables him to test WidgetFX natively across platforms; and an HTC Diamond on which he develops and deploys JavaFX Mobile code.

JavaFX News Bites

2009-07-10T16:00:00+01:00

JavaFX 1.2 SDK
Top 5 Most Important Features in JavaFX 1.2
Pac-Man and JavaFX Tutorial
UI Controls in JavaFX 1.2
Free 15-Week JavaFX Programming Online Course

http://blogs.systemnews.com/

"JavaFX 1.2 Technology: Features and Enhancements"

2009-06-18T16:00:00+01:00

The white paper "JavaFX 1.2 Technology: Features and Enhancements" by Java and JavaFX Technology specialist Inyoung Cho covers what's new and what has changed in JavaFX 1.2 technologies. Cho explains the changes in the JavaFX SDK with the latest release 1.2 and what's different from 1.1.

"JavaFX: Developing Rich Internet Applications"

2009-06-05T16:00:00+01:00

The anticipated print version of the book, "JavaFX: Developing Rich Internet Applications" is now available for purchase at Safari.com. This is the first book that covers the JavaFX 1.1 release. From information on data integration to multimedia, or special effects to REST, readers can learn how to build robust applications.

Just What is the Community Doing with JavaFX

2009-06-05T16:00:00+01:00

JavaFX was released this past December. Since that time, many interesting applications have been developed. Ed Ort, Sun Developer Network staff writer, takes a look at some of these applications and shares some of the techniques and valuable experiences a few authors have learned in using the JavaFX platform.

Using Production Suite from JavaFX for Gaming Design

2009-05-02T16:00:00+01:00

The Production Suite is a powerful though not well known feature of JavaFX, one that enables gaming designers to concentrate on the logic and effects of their game while leaving the complexities of the design to the expert graphic artists. The Production Suite, writes software architect Jim Connell, delivers a JavaFX UI design tool that he demonstrates in creating a simple dice game using an elegant UI produced by a real designer. "Accomplishing a design like this in pure JavaFX would be almost unthinkable. Using the Production Suite though, this task becomes not only possible, but almost trivia," Connell writes.