ClientFX
The JavaFX Browser plug-in
ClientFX handles JavaFX Script applications on the desktop. ClientFX includes a bundle of Java, JavaFX, security and the browser plug-ins to enable fx:// clickable links.
The JavaFX Client
The recent announcement of JavaFX brings the world of Rich Internet Applications (RIA) to the Java world proper. JavaFX Script allows the mix of a very scaleable development environment, Java, and the declarative and rich front end development that is JavaFX Script. Highly rich and interactive user interfaces can be created in JavaFX, bringing a well needed client answer to Java developers. JavaFX compares favorably with Flash technology and MS Silverlight, but arguably a less compromising development platform behind it. ServerFX and ClientFX together make sense of this technology and provide a systems approach that allows an enterprise to deploy, manage and upgrade applications over time with the ease and accessibility that makes browser access transparent and easy for consumers or corporate employees.
Performance
ServerFX performs well for good reason. In a traditional web environment each click in the browser creates a new connection to the web server and a lot of activity to server side computing to create the next page that will be viewed in the browser, consuming network bandwidth too. ServerFX in concert with ClientFX uses the power of the client. ServerFX delivers code that is running on the client, repetitive connections are not made, moreover, code is only delivered once, cached, and only updated in the areas of change.
Ease of Development and Scale
Development is easy, just ignore us ! Develop your application stand alone, as developers naturally do for client side operation. When it is functional, and perhaps using a local database, just drop the code in the ServerFX repository and make the appropriate fx:// link on the web site where you need it. The application is now live, always up to date and can be made to use the server database and resources by tagging objects as server side (without code re-write).
Security
Complexity and security are not complementary. The baseline for all activity on the server is the Java Virtual Machine, which not only is a well known secure sandbox, but it removes a whole class of typical attacks and abuses that are inherent to native code. Fine grained policy control is configurable where needed, but the default is secure as such can be ignored in most cases. There are no deployment descriptors, no mappings, no handlers, externally declared resources, or other indirections. The server runs, holds server side objects and delivers and updates code as needed from on directory, the repository. Simple.
From Widgets to Heavy Weights
Be it small JavaFX widgets, JavaFX applications or standard Java the server can deliver it all. All applications can be delivered via the browser just a hyperlink away.
Server Requirements
- Java 1.5.0 or greater
Tested Server Host Operating Systems
- FreeBSD 6.1 or greater
- Linux 2.6.0 or greater
- OS X 10.4 or greater
- Solaris 10.0 or greater
- Windows XP/Vista (recommended for development only)
Server cooperates with
- Glassfish
- BEA WebLogic
- Linux/Unix server running Apache 1.3+
- or -
Windows server running IIS 5.0+ or Apache 1.3+ - JBoss
- Tomcat 4.0 or greater
- Borland Enterprise Server
- IBM WebSphere
- Iron Flare - Orion App Server
Supported Browsers (Javascript need not be enabled)
- Internet Explorer 6 or 7 (Windows - and Mac)
- Firefox 1.5+ (Win, OS X, Linux coming soon)
- Safari 1.2+ (OS X)
- Camino 1.0 (OS X)
- Opera 9.5
Supported Operating Systems
- Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista (coming soon)
- OS X 10.4 +
- Linux (coming soon)
- Solaris (coming soon)
- FreeBSD (coming soon)
Key features
Built for Java
ClientFX is software for your desktop. ClientFX was designed from the ground up to deliver Rich Internet Applications written in Java or JavaFX Script. ClientFX allows fx:// links to be clicked in a browser and click-to-run applications to be resident on your desktop.
Automatic publishing
When an fx:// application or web link is clicked the application runs locally. After running an applicaton it is cached locally. When an application changes or is upgraded, or features are added, just those changes are downloaded. In this way fx:// applications are always up to date, click-to-run, and very fast. Because the application runs locally it is fast and performant; a Rich Internet Application as opposed to a traditional web application.
Cross Platform
Completely cross platform. ClientFX works on Windows, OS X and soon will support Linux. Applications can be written once in Java or JavaFX Script and be delivered to all clients using ClientFX.
Secure
Building on Java security, dotFX technology implements rigorous security mechanisms and control. Applications can start safely with a coherent security model and without a "Trust/No Trust" dialogue box before any application fullfillment has occured.
Client power
ServerFX enables the power of the client, delivering code to the desktop. Client richness and intimacy is mirrored with scale on the server. Only necessary load is put on the server, and the client does the heavy lifting. IT sees scale and lower costs for cpu and bandwidth and the end user gets a better experience.
Always up to date, Online or Offline
ClientFX code is delivered just in time, and only as needed. If only one class changes in the server repository all clients will get that update live and incrementally. Applications can be micro-patched after first release and with little or no noticable impact on the end user. Applications can be made to run online or offline with little tax on the developer.
Other features
- Click to run.
- Enabled full client software distribution.
- Clients are always up to date.
- Has a coherent security model.
- NO Trust/No Trust message at startup.
- Full client admin interface.
- High reliability and security - it's Java !
Purchase
dotFX products (including servers) are available for free download for the Beta release period. Users wishing to have commercial support or release supported product on the dotFX Beta release should contact dotFX directly and we can support you.
Upgrades
ClientFX 1.2.3 release
ServerFX 1.2.3 release
dotFX User Gallery
Email fx:// links to gallery@dotFX.com
The first ten user applications to meet the grade will win the developer a brand new iPod nano.
iPod Nano for the price of a link !
