Sun says JavaFX take a bow to Web 2.0 world

By Stan Beer
Wednesday, 09 May 2007 06:45

Business IT - Technology

The JavaOne developers conference set the stage for the heavyweights of Sun Microsystems to unveil a new scripting language for building Web 2.0 interfaces across multiple computing platforms including mobile phones, set top boxes and Blu-ray players. The new language platform, called JavaFX, is to be open sourced but is still in an alpha stage of development.

When released, JavaFX will compete with a range of existing scripting languages such as PHP and Perl, as well as the popular Web 2.0 interactive web page development platform AJAX, which is based on the JavaScript language.

JavaFX is a platform, which will initially include a system for developing web-based mobile phone applications called JavaFX Mobile and and a language for creating interactive content called JavaFX Script. Sun also plans to deliver additional JavaFX products for the manufacturers of set top boxes, navigation devices and automobile dashboards.

Unlike JavaScript, which is not actually a Java based language, JavaFX will be compatible with existing Java applications, a fact that Sun is taking pains to emphasise. According to Sun, JavaFX Script applications will run on any JavaSE technology-based platform including all of the upcoming JavaFX software systems for mobile handsets, TVs and other embedded applications from automobiles to game systems.

The new language's multimedia capabilities could also possibly make it a competitor to Adobe's ubiquitous Flash and Microsoft's emerging Silverlight graphics and video development platforms.

"Consumer demand for content on any and every device is putting content convergence on a fast track. The expanding universe of Java-based devices creates a unique opportunity to make the three-screen vision of unified content across computer, TV and mobile device a reality," said Bob Brewin, CTO, Software, Sun Microsystems.

"With JavaFX Script and Sun's follow-on content authoring tools, Sun will simplify the creation of rich content for the creative community and give consumers the ability to access content anytime anywhere on any Java-powered device."

Market watchers are giving Sun's new JavaFX software platform a strong chance of grabbing the interest of developers given its close alignment with the popular Java development language.