Preview of Compiled JavaFX Script Syntax on PlanetJFX

Tom Ball, the JavaFX Script Compiler project lead, has started a page on the PlanetJFX Wiki that introduces some of the syntax in the upcoming compiled version of JavaFX Script.  This page will be updated as the compiled version evolves, so it is worth bookmarking.

Some of the changes noted on this page so far:

• In the interpreted version of JavaFX Script, there are both functions and operations.  In the compiled version, there will be only functions, which combines the capability of both.
• Attribute initializers in the interpreted version occur outside of the class body, but in the compiled version are part of the declaration (inside the class body).
• Replace triggers in the interpreted version are outside of the class body, but the compiled version uses the new  on replace syntax to define them.

As mentioned in a previous post, to download and play with the current state of the compiled version of JavaFX Script, visit the OpenJFX Compiler Project.  I'm told that there will be a /demo directory soon in which we'll see the beginning of some UI capabilities, as soon as the elephant gets through the door, or perhaps when the camel gets through the eye of the needle :-)

Congratulations, Tom and team!

Regards,
Jim Weaver
JavaFX Script: Dynamic Java Scripting for Rich Internet/Client-side Applications
eBook (PDF) download available at the book's Apress site   

Comments

[James Weaver]

The book has been available as a PDF download at http://www.apress.com/book/view/1590599454 for a few weeks, and paperbacks should be shipping very soon. It is based upon the interpreted (current) version of JavaFX. The compiled version of JavaFX is still in flux, and when the first milestone release is available, I will quickly update the book. The Apress "firstPress" brand is geared toward this purpose, in that the eBook can be made available quickly, and the paperback is typically "print on demand". I have been involved in providing input to the JavaFX compiler development team, and am currently assisting in the testing efforts, so the process of updating the book should go very quickly.

By the way, the UI libraries won't change much in the first release of the compiled version -- only some of the syntax of the language. Please see the "Putting My CTO Hat On" post http://learnjavafx.typepad.com/weblog/2007/10/putting-my-cto-.html for my company's plans for use of the current version, and the compiled version, of JavaFX Script.

[hughw]

Will your book reflect the syntax changes? I notice publication date has been pushed back; maybe you are feverishly modifying examples?

[James Weaver]

I agree, Craig. From monitoring the threads in the JavaFX Script mailing list, it's clear that they are diligently trying to simplify the syntax.

[codecraig]

I am excited about some of the syntax changes, especially the switch to using "function" instead of "operation" or "function. I also like the new, more Java like, variable initialization!