Rich, Content enriched applications are the need of the hour. Rich internet applications add style and class to your website. There are a lot of tools available to create Rich Internet Applications. Today we will have a sneak peak into JavaFx which is yet another tool to generate rich internet applications.

What is JavaFx?

JavaFX is an expressive rich client platform for creating and delivering rich Internet experiences across all the screens of your life. The JavaFX platform gives you unparalleled freedom and flexibility to create expressive content across multiple screens, including mobile devices, desktops, televisions, and other consumer devices. It combines the best capabilities of the Java platform with comprehensive, immersive media functionality into an intuitive and comprehensive one-stop development environment. The JavaFX platform empowers content developers by enabling them to focus on creativity instead of coding. It enables developers to create game-changing applications and engaging content with maximum market penetration opportunities.

What are the Features Of JavaFx?

     * One-stop-shop expressive content design and development platform for all screens: Build engaging visual experiences across desktop, browser and mobile with a unified development and deployment model. The most powerful and pervasive platform in the industry is now the most expressive!

    * Broadest market reach: Devices can open up to the broadest portfolio of content and services in the industry. Applications can be distributed across billions of devices with the power of Java. Mobile developers can efficiently target their content to as many mobile devices as possible.

    * Broadest access to mobile device capabilities: JavaFX is the best way to bring expressive, feature-rich content to mobile devices. JavaFX Mobile brings expressiveness to Java ME, to combine the richest mobile experience with the most access to the underlying system and across the broadest number of devices.

    * Lower implementation cost: Builds on your pre-existing investment in Java. Developers can use any Java library within a JavaFX application to build expressive interfaces. In mobile devices, JavaFX builds on top of the existing Java ME and Mobile Service Architecture (MSA) platforms to reduce implementation costs for device manufacturers.

    * Designer-developer workflow: Dramatically shorten your production cycle for design and development by using JavaFX Production Suite to incorporate multimedia assets from popular third-party design tools.

    * Powerful runtime: Leverage the extreme ubiquity, power, performance and security of the Java runtime.

    * Break free from the browser: With Java SE 6 update 10 and beyond, you can drag-to-Install applications from your browser directly onto your desktop. This innovative feature is an industry first and providers developers with new channels to get their content to their target end users.
 

What are the Tools For JavaFx?

There are several tools available for JavaFx Platform. The exact tool depends upon what functionality you need to start developing with JavaFX.

The tools for JavaFx Platform are broadly classified into three categories namely

1.Developer Bundle

2.Designer Bundle

3.Stand-alone SDK

Developer Bundle

The developer bundle contains the following tools.
    * NetBeans IDE for JavaFX
    * JavaFX Plugin for NetBeans
This bundle is intented for coders and developers.

Designer Bundle
The designer bundle consists of JavaFX Production Suite, a single download that contains all the tools to enable designers to exchange visual assets with developers.

Stand-alone SDK
If you prefer using other tools, or developing directly via the command line, you can download the stand-alone SDK. 

JavaFx Script?

JavaFX Script is a scripting language designed by Sun Microsystems, forming part of the JavaFX family of technologies on the Java Platform. JavaFX targets the Rich Internet Application domain (competing with Adobe Flex and Microsoft Silverlight), specializing in rapid development of visually rich applications for the desktop and mobile markets. JavaFX Script works with integrated development environments such as NetBeans and Eclipse.

JavaFx Script Example

import javafx.stage.Stage;
import javafx.scene.Scene;
import javafx.scene.text.Text;
import javafx.scene.text.Font;
Stage {
    title: "Hello World"
    width: 250
    height: 80
    scene: Scene {
        content: Text {
            font : Font {
                size : 24
            }
            x: 10, y: 30
            content: "Hello World"
        }
    }
}

This program shows a frame / window with the message "Hello World".

What can I do with JavaFx?

JavaFx lets ou creativity paint the canvas. With JavaFx you can come out with all interactive, creative and attractive content.

Interesting Photos This sample uses Web Services (Flickr's REST API) to retrieve photos from Flickr into a JavaFX application. Works for desktop and mobile deployment.

Path Animation This sample shows how to animate a shape along an arbitrary vector path. It has two scenarios: a car running on a racetrack and a boat sailing on waves. You only have to create an animated node for a visual asset and a path for the track along which it moves. Works for desktop and mobile deployment.

JavaFX MediaBox Player For Streaming Video This sample uses the JavaFX Media Component, a prefabricated video player that provides all of the standard video player controls you might need. Incorporating video in your application is as simple as creating an instance of this component, setting a few variables and including a link to your video source. Works for desktop deployment.

Where can I get JavaFx?

Download JavaFx for free!