Sun has released the first version of JavaFX, aptly named JavaFX 1.0. "JavaFX 1.0 returns to the sales pitch that Sun used during Java's launch more than 13 years ago: a foundation for software on a wide variety of computing "clients" such as desktop computers or mobile phones. JavaFX builds on current Java technology but adds two major pieces. First is a new software foundation designed to run so-called rich Internet applications--network-enabled programs with lush user interfaces. Second is a new programming language called JavaFX Script that's intended to be easier to use than traditional Java."
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Member since:2005-07-06
Starting with the current version of the Java Runtime Environment (Update 10), the parts of the JRE that are needed for a given applet to run are downloaded on-demand. According to Sun, this results in an initial JRE download size of 4-5MB for the average applet. (in comparison to 14+MB to download the full JRE, which was previously the case)... This compares pretty well to Flash's 5.4MB download.
http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/javase/java6u10/#ke...
Also, browser integration in Update 10 is much better. If I understand the release notes correctly, the Java plug-in can now be installed directly in-browser without a visit to Sun's site, just like it is for Flash.
http://java.sun.com/developer/technicalArticles/javase/java6u10/#pl...
As for comparison to Flex... Java has some pluses and minuses. On the definite plus side is power -- there are way more libraries out there written for Java than for Flex, and the Java Standard Edition API is incredibly rich. Java also has the nice ability to display widgets in the native operating system's look and feel if you like, which Flex can't do. On the downside, Flex has *way* better (more mature) UI-building tools. And of course Flash has *way* better design and animation tools. It will take quite a while for Sun to catch up on those (actually they may never catch up to Flash on the ease of use for designers).
However, when the design tools for JavaFX are released, they will be free. (as opposed to FlexBuilder)
Edited 2008-12-05 00:30 UTC
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2006-01-01
Seems to be an awful lot like Flex, except Flex runs on Flash player and this runs on, I'm guessing Java VM? I know people will shout, but Flash seems more likely to be installed these days, and if not is a miniscule download. How does this compare?