JavaFX

JavaFX is a framework for cross-platform rich Internet applications. It is a Java specification from Oracle and is in direct competition with Adobe Flash or Flex and Microsoft Silverlight. The JavaFX 2.0 runtime is installed 7 Update 6 since the Java SE Runtime version, but can also be downloaded and installed separately.

JavaFX can be used on various devices such as mobile phones, set- top boxes, desktop computers and Blu- ray Disc players to use, and is implemented as part of the Java runtime environment in some mobile devices. In terms of security, the user must confirm the first version of JavaFX applications before.

Operation

JavaFX applications in version 1.x can be programmed using JavaFX Script. In the current 2.x version of JavaFX applications are written in standard Java. The functions and interfaces contained in the Java class libraries are available for the development of JavaFX applications. In addition, JavaFX provides a class library that contains, among other functions for the graphical presentation and the local and network data management. Several components of the user interface for JavaFX are inherited from the normal Java environment. For programming, there are two profiles, and common desktop, available. JavaFX programs that were written with the common API can be basically run on all devices, whereas desktop elements are limited to use on desktop computers. JavaFX is particularly focused on graphics programming and communication with REST services. New UI components can be quickly create, and all UI components can be customized via CSS.

Execution and distribution

JavaFX applications are downloaded from the server and executed on the client, typically the browser. The application communicates with the web server via HTTP GET, REST or Web Services.

JavaFX applications are mostly rich Internet applications for desktop computers and are executed mainly via Java Web Start or as a Java applet. The installation of applications is done via Java Web Start by the program either directly executed as a WebStart program and a desktop shortcut is created, or pulled an applet from the browser and installed by it. Additionally, the program is updated automatically so. The files generated for the application can be played on a web server. The web server does not require a Java runtime environment, but must for the MIME type application / x -java- be configured jnlp -file.

JavaFX applications can be started in this way through a hyperlink on the website. In parallel, the embedding of a JavaFX application into a website (via a JavaScript) is possible.

JavaFX Production Suite

The JavaFX Production Suite serves as a link between developers and designers. It provides plug- ins for Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop are available as well as a SVG -to- FXZ converter, with which graphics can be converted into JavaFX own format. As FXZ graphics stored very easily changed at runtime with JavaFX (transparency, position, size, shape, ...) can be. Individual components can be addressed, for example, via an assigned SVG program ID.

Distribution of the runtime environment

According to statistical surveys are the Java Platforms 5, 6 and 7 (and thus potentially JavaFX ) installed on approximately 70 % of all desktop computers with internet access and about 97 % of all corporate PCs. Frequent widespread is the only competing Flash runtime environment in its various versions, with more than 95 %. Silverlight is also installed to about 70% of these systems.

History of development

JavaFX was announced in May 2007 and launched in May of the following year on the JavaOne developer conference. On 4 December 2008 Sun JavaFX 1.0 was officially released as a development kit for Windows and Mac OS X. Version 1.2 was released in June 2009. It contained, among other customizable UI controls, additional layout classes ( Tile, Stack, Flow, Clip View, Panel ), support for RSS / Atom feeds. It is not backward compatible. Only since this version of Linux and Solaris are supported. The version 1.3 ( code name SoMa ) was published on 22 April 2010. The most obvious change is partly a huge increase in performance. Also new is JavaFX TV, an official CSS API for the design of JavaFX Controls, some new, desired controls as well as a support for 3D. The version 1.3.1 was released on August 21, 2010, and improved the progress bar at start-up and debugging in Netbeans 6.9.1.

JavaFX 2.0 was released, as announced in the third quarter of 2011. This version is dispensed with JavaFX Script, the existing JavaFX Script APIs instead were ported to Java. Thus, learning yet another scripting language for Java developers omitted. In JavaFX 2.0 also the hardware rendering has been optimized so now games and rich 3D representations should be possible. HTML and JavaScript content renders JavaFX 2.0 using the WebKit library. Oracle has announced in conjunction with the release of the new version, JavaFX develop in the future as open source project within the OpenJDK.

JavaFX 2.2 was released in August 2012. The server environment is since version Java SE 7u6 integrated into the standard environment and can therefore increasingly be provided. An installation in addition to Java SE 6 is still possible. Java 6 has been discontinued to February 2013 and accordingly the free development for installation next to Java 6 is discontinued at that time.