Blogs by topic Swing and user javakiddy
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GUI
Why did JavaFX 1.x divide the Java community so much? How does the new 2.0 roadmap fit into the current (and future) landscape of RIAs? Is Paul the Octopus on Twitter? Some or none of these questions may be answered in this blog post.
Swing
JavaFX aims to reduce the gap between coders and designers, to the extent that controls can be styled using CSS-like files. Examples are thin on the ground, however; so before the year ends (and on the assumption I'll be too hung over tomorrow to care/remember) here's a quick guide to creating your own styled controls.
"There's no future in Java", colleagues told me. Mind you, that was back in 1996. People are sceptical of new platforms, particularly those targeted at ideas yet to even be fully proven. JavaFX v1.0 will be out in a few days -- are there parallels with when Java was first released?
Sometimes less is more. In the spirit of the '64k intros' I've been seeing how far I can push JavaFX with a minimum of code. Now I throw down the gauntlet -- does anyone else want to join me in the quest for the ultimate 'cheap thrill'?!?
Applications are now running on a wide variety of screen resolutions, and as mobile devices get smarter the range of potential screen sizes increases even further. So in this blog I ask a simple question: what are the issues surrounding Java apps which can scale their graphics from large widescreen to tiny hand-held? (Oh, and why you should never play casino Poker machines!)
Is there any point to flashy GUI effects? Clearly, given they're all the rage at the moment, they must fulfill some need, but what? (Includes gratuitous Amiga-inspired drop shadow example.)
Ever looked at an API and thought "well that's an interesting feature, but why would I ever need it?" However, really useful effects can sometimes be had from even the most arcane bits of functionality.
The adventure continues, as I explore further ways to make Swing 'sing' without resorting to low level OpenGL trickery. What Swing lacks is a way to manage animations and transitions, so let me toss my hat into the ring with a fledgling (experimental) mini-API, which tries to maximise flexibility, minimise hassle, while not chewing up too much CPU each frame.
Rich Internet Applications as an alternative to Ajax are starting to get talked about. Adobe think Flash and Flex is the solution. Java's Webstart and Swing are also being discussed in the same way, but deployment issues and Swing's lack of eye candy effects may be an issue. So — how easy is it to add some 'bling' to Swing...?
There's nothing up my sleeve. At no time do my hands leave my wrists. We've never met before, have we? -- It's time for some minor Swing magic!
(or... Where Swing Really Shouldn't Venture) GMail and its like are a dead end. Let's re-group and throw our weight behind a real solution.
