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Build a great user experience into your applications whether they are being accessed on a desktop, mobile, phone, or tablet. Learn how to use JavaFX with online courses delivered through edX.

What is JavaFX?

Software engineer Chris Oliver developed JavaFX, which was released by Sun Microsystems in the early 2000s as a way to compete with Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight and create a more engaging, modern user experience beyond clicking on drop-down menus and icons.1

First introduced as a kit, JavaFX is a standalone open source Java library for graphics and media packages that designers can use to create, test, and deploy rich client applications across the web, desktop, and mobile.2 With JavaFX, you can build a cross-platform graphical user interface (GUI) application in the object-oriented Java programming language that runs on multiple operating systems, including Windows, iOS, and Android — a useful skill for a web developer or software engineer.

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How to use JavaFX

With JavaFX, you can develop a number of components for your apps using shortcuts. Features of JavaFX include:

  • JavaFX Layouts: JavaFX provides layout panes to support different styles. For instance, you may use BorderPane to organize nodes into the top, left, right, center, and bottom regions. FlowPane allows wrapping when node space is tight. If you only need a single horizontal or vertical row, you may use HBox or VBox.3
  • JavaFX GridPane: JavaFX GridPane allows users to organize GUI components (like icons, menus, and windows) in a flexible grid. Unlike with TilePane, you won’t need to specify coordinates of the target location every time you want to add a new component. You can also use JavaFX Pane for the easy setup and management of rows, columns, and tiles.4
  • JavaFX Label: JavaFX labels are non-editable text controls that let users display short text or an image that must fit within a specific size space.5
  • Image JavaFX: A JavaFX capability that allows users to tinker with the image class so they can load images from specified URLs.6
  • JavaFX CSS: JavaFX CSS contains standard element styles, values, properties, and rules. With advanced knowledge, you’ll learn how to create one or more custom style sheets to enhance the look and feel of your applications.7
  • JavaFX Text: JavaFX textincludes text-based information on the interface of your application and allows you to alter its properties using the JavaFX Scene text library.8
  • JavaFX Shape: Using a JavaFX library, you can draw a number of geometric elements, such as rectangles, cubic curves, horizontal and vertical lines, arcs, circles, and more.9
  • JavaFX Tableview: The JavaFX TableView control visualizes a limitless number of data rows broken down into columns.10
  • JavaFX Combobox: The JavaFX ComboBox class creates a control that lets users select from a drop-down list of options.11
  • JavaFX WebView: JavaFX WebView offers web page capabilities. With a node to automatically manage mouse, keyboard, and scrolling events, there’s no need for a ScrollPane.12
  • Maven JavaFX: With automation tools like Maven, JavaFX developers can easily manage projects written in other languages like C#, Ruby, or Scala.13

JavaFX tutorial curriculum

JavaFX may be taught in advanced object-oriented programming courses that cover exceptions, data structures, and GUIs. Learners are taught about the benefits of exceptions versus built-in error checking, as well as how to handle exceptions by catching or specifying them.

In a JavaFX course, you may learn how to read and write simple text files from Java, understand the differences between array-based and link-based data structures, and develop JavaFX scenes with basic layouts and controls. A JavaFX tutorial may also give you the opportunity to work with the JavaFX scene builder to attach event handlers to your controls and bring scenes to life, then package these scenes into a JavaFX application.

Professionals can grow their knowledge of web development in different ways, including earning a bachelor’s degree, completing a master’s program, or enrolling in fast-track boot camps. Standalone courses and online tutorials may be best suited for people seeking flexibility and self-paced learning opportunities. Discover all of the educational opportunities offered through edX.

Explore jobs that use JavaFX

Are you ready to put your JavaFX skills to work? If so, consider pursuing the following jobs:

  • Software engineer or Java platform engineer: These professionals define software requirements, write clean and efficient application code, and run tests to improve the user experience.
  • Software developer or Java developer: These professionals create, adapt, monitor, and repair software across a variety of platforms, from desktop to mobile.

An understanding of how to leverage the benefits of JavaFX can be helpful in these roles, but these positions may have additional educational and skills requirements. Before deciding the right learning path for you, research these roles and consider the requirements that potential employers are asking job applicants to meet. Then, you can decide whether a full program, like a bachelor's degree in computer science, or more specialized learning, like a coding boot camp, best align with your professional goals.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    What can I build with JavaFX?

    The JavaFX API provides a high-performance user interface to help you integrate audio, video, graphics, information, and animation into your applications on multiple platforms. From desktop and mobile apps to games and business systems, there are many different JavaFX applications. For example, in business, you might use JavaFX to manage transportation freight schedules, monitor the fluctuating price of commodities, or modify and cancel flights.

    How do I create a JavaFX application?

    According to Oracle, a tutorial is one of the most common ways to learn how to build an application with JavaFX and test to see that it’s properly installed. You can get started by choosing “new project” from the file menu in your IDE of choice, choosing “JavaFX application” from the application category menu, naming the project “HelloWorld,” and clicking “finish.” Online courses, such as those delivered through edX, also provide step-by-step instructions for creating JavaFX applications.

    What IDE can you use for JavaFX?

    A JavaFX application is written in the Java programming language, so you’ll be able to use your preferred integrated development environment (IDE) to create your applications. A few of these IDEs include: NetBeans, IntelliJ IDEA, BlueJ, Oracle JDeveloper, MyEclipse, Greenfoot, and jGRASP. It’s possible to customize your IDE, though doing so may require advance planning. If you wanted to use a JavaFX Eclipse plugin, for instance, you’d have to download and configure the plugin to ensure it works with your JavaFX download prior to building your app.

    Is it hard to learn JavaFX?

    JavaFX is useful but can be complex to master. However, knowing how to write in the Java programming language and possessing coding basics may help you make sense of JavaFX. Learning JavaFX online and practicing on your own time can help build your confidence and proficiency.

    What is the difference between Swing and JavaFX?

    Many Java developers view Swing — which predates JavaFX by 10 years — as the standard toolkit for creating sophisticated GUI. However, JavaFX also has many features that make developers’ lives easier: from platform support for creating desktop apps to an ever-evolving library of UI components. Ultimately, the difference between Swing versus JavaFX is in the advanced look and feel JavaFX can provide compared to a legacy system like Swing.

    1. JavaFX 1.0 - Now you can judge for yourself. (2008). InfoWorld. Retrieved February 24, 2023

    2. What is JavaFX? (2013). Oracle. Retrieved February 24, 2023.

    3. Using Built-in Layout Panes. (2013). Oracle. Retrieved February 24, 2023.

    4. Class GridPane. Oracle. Retrieved February 24, 2023.

    5. Class Label. Oracle. Retrieved February 24, 2023.

    6. Class Image. Oracle. Retrieved February 24, 2023.

    7. CSS and the JavaFX Scene Graph. Oracle. Retrieved February 24, 2023

    8. Class Text. Oracle. Retrieved February 24, 2023.

    9. Class Shape. Oracle. Retrieved February 24, 2023.

    10. Class TableView . Oracle. Retrieved February 24, 2023.

    11. Class ComboBox . Oracle. Retrieved February 24, 2023.

    12. Class WebView. Oracle. Retrieved February 24, 2023.

    13. Maven plugin for JavaFX. GitHub. Retrieved February 24, 2023.