This article provides some brief information about JavaFX technology. It explains what to download and install to get started using the JavaFX technology with the Eclipse IDE. It also describes how to create your first JavaFX application using the Eclipse IDE, along with the JavaFX SDK and the JavaFX plugin for Eclipse. Information about available sample applications and running applications on a mobile emulator is also included in this article.

What Is JavaFX?

JavaFX is a rich client platform for building cross-device applications and content. Designed to enable easy creation and deployment of rich Internet applications (RIAs) with immersive media and content, the JavaFX platform ensures that RIAs look and behave consistently across diverse form factors and devices.

The JavaFX Software Development Kit (SDK) and the JavaFX Plugin for Eclipse enable you to develop, debug, and deploy JavaFX applications in the Eclipse integrated development environment (IDE).

Read the Develop Expressive Content With JavaFX Platform document to learn more about what JavaFX technology has to offer you.

What to Download and Install

The following components need to be installed on your system prior to developing JavaFX applications in the Eclipse IDE. Note that the JavaFX plugin for Eclipse is available for the Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh systems only. Before you proceed with the installation, review the JavaFX 1.2 Plugin for Eclipse Release Notes for system requirements, new features, and known issues and limitations.

1. Download the JavaFX 1.2 SDK, which includes the JavaFX compiler and runtime tools, graphics, media, web services, and rich text libraries to create RIAs for the desktop, browser, and mobile platforms. Complete the installation using the JavaFX SDK installation instructions.
   
   
2. Download at least Eclipse IDE 3.4, which provides an integrated development environment for building, debugging, and running Java applications. If you do not have an Eclipse IDE installed yet, download and install the Eclipse 3.4 IDE for Java EE Developers that is specific for your platform.
   
   
3. Install the JavaFX 1.2 Plugin for Eclipse, which provides features that allow you to edit, build, and debug JavaFX applications in the Eclipse IDE. The editor features a set of drag-and-drop snippets to quickly add JavaFX objects with transformations, effects, and animation. This plugin also comes with a set of samples that you can learn from and work with as you learn the JavaFX Script language. For more information about what's included with this plugin, read the JavaFX 1.2 Plugin for Eclipse Release Notes.
   
   Install the JavaFX 1.2 Plugin for Eclipse into your installed Eclipse IDE for the first time or update your existing JavaFX plugin installation using the following steps:
   
   
   Installing JavaFX plugin for the first time:
   
   
   1. Start the Eclipse IDE. Specify a path for your Eclipse workspace folder, if prompted, and close the Welcome screen, if it appears.
      
      
   2. From the main menu of the IDE, choose Help > Software Updates.
      
      
   3. In the Software Updates and Add-ons dialog box, click the Available Software tab and Add Site, as shown in the following figure.
      
      

      Figure 1: Set Up to Add the JavaFX Plugin Update Site URL.

   4. In the Add Site dialog box, enter http://javafx.com/downloads/eclipse-plugin/ in the Location text field and click OK, as shown in Figure 2.
      
      

      Figure 2: Add the JavaFX Plugin Update Site URL.
      

      Figure 3 below shows that the JavaFX Updates site has been added to the list of available software sites.
      
      

      Figure 3: JavaFX Update Site Added.

   5. Expand the node for the JavaFX Updates site, select the JavaFX Feature check box, and click Install.
      
      The installer checks for requirements and dependencies prior to installation. This might take some time.
      
      
   6. In the Install dialog box, review and confirm that the selected JavaFX Feature item is the correct version to be installed. Click Next.
      
      
   7. Review and accept the terms of the license agreement, if you agree. Click Finish.
      
      The IDE continues with the installation of the JavaFX plugin software.
      
      
   8. Click Yes when prompted to restart the Eclipse Platform.
      
      
   Updating an existing JavaFX plugin installation:
   
   
   1. Start the Eclipse IDE. Specify a path for your Eclipse workspace folder, if prompted, and close the Welcome screen, if it appears.
      
      
   2. Choose Help > Software Updates from the main menu of the IDE.
      
      
   3. In the Installed Software tab, select JavaFX Feature and click Update, as shown in Figure 4.
      
      

      Figure 4: Update the Current JavaFX Plugin Installation.
      

   4. In the Available Updates dialog box, review and confirm the selected update item to be installed and click Finish.
      
      
   5. Click Yes when prompted to restart the Eclipse Platform.
      
      
4. Continue with Creating Your First JavaFX Application Using Eclipse IDE tutorial.