Java FX Tools

When Sun announced Java FX, what went through your head?

Many people at Sun were very excited with the announcement of Java FX at JavaOne this year. Slated as an Adobe Flash killer, Java FX was met with a lukewarm reaction by most Java developers. Perhaps many thought it was just another Java-compatible scripting language, or Sun's late attempt to simplify the environment? Either way, you can't deny Java FX does make it easy to build some pretty neat Web-enabled GUI widgets and applications.

Now, as third-party tools are starting to appear, some developers are taking notice. ReportMill Software, for instance, has released a development tool called JFXBulder. Although the tool is strictly in pre-release form, you can try it yourself at their site. It's lauchable as a Java Web-start application. Key Features include:

- JFX Page Layout
- Drag and Drop Components
- Don't expect much yet...
- Draw boxes, lines, polygons, text
- Drag and drop a Button, Text, Slider
- A "Preview JFX" button that allows you to easily try out your Java FX application

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Java FX, and to see what new Java FX tools and applications arrive on the scene. I for one would love to see a Java FX-powered phone similar to the one shown at JavaOne. It seems like it would be a nice iPhone competitor.

What's your opinion on Java FX? Was your reaction "WOW!" or "So what?" Post a comment to this blog, and let me know.

Happy coding!
-EJB

Posted by Eric Bruno at 11:29 PM  Permalink