JavaFX Graphic Interfaces Basics

JavaFX is a framework and a user interface library that allows Java developers to create interfaces.

JavaFX became the official GUI library for the Java language in March 2014.

A JavaFX application consists of a hierarchy of components. The main window is represented by a Stage, the interface by a Scene, and the Scene contains various UI elements like controls, shapes, media, and layouts.

The start() method constructs the entire JavaFX application.

The launch() method starts the JavaFX runtime, which creates an instance of the Application subclass, calls the init() method, then the start() method, and finally the stop() method when the application ends.

The setOnAction() method registers an EventHandler<ActionEvent> for a control. EventHandler is a functional interface with the handle(event) method that defines the action to perform.

Style, skin, or theme in JavaFX refers to the visual aspects of the GUI like shape, color, texture, shadows, fonts, etc. Styles are defined using CSS.

The setUserAgentStylesheet() method of the Application class sets the URL of the CSS stylesheet to be applied globally. Two predefined styles are Modena and Caspian.

You can modify the size, position, title, icon, fullscreen mode, and resizability of the main window (Stage) using methods like setX(), setY(), setTitle(), setFullScreen(), setResizable(), etc.

The primary stage is the main window passed to the start() method. Other independent windows (Stages) can be created in a JavaFX application.

The Border and BorderStroke classes allow you to create borders and assign them to the border property.

The Background, BackgroundFill, and BackgroundImage classes create backgrounds that can be combined with fills and images.

JavaFX offers the option of declaring the GUI structure in an XML file called FXML. FXML represents the application's view, and the components are instantiated upon launch.

A controller is a class associated with an FXML view that handles events and interacts with the view's components.

HBox is a container that arranges its children in a single horizontal line, placing components from left to right.

VBox is a container that arranges its children in a single vertical column, placing components from top to bottom.

FlowPane is a container that places its children in a horizontal or vertical flow, wrapping to the next line or column when there isn't enough space.

TilePane, similar to FlowPane, places components in a grid, either horizontally or vertically. All cells have the same size.

BorderPane arranges its children in five regions: Top, Bottom, Left, Right, and Center.

AnchorPane allows you to position its children relative to the container's edges (Top, Bottom, Left, and Right) by specifying anchor distances.

StackPane stacks its children one on top of the other, in the order they were added.

GridPane is a flexible layout that arranges its children in a grid, similar to an HTML table. The grid's size adjusts dynamically based on the components' placement.

Label is a basic UI component that displays text, an icon, or both. It can be used to display static information to the user.

Button is a UI component that triggers an action when clicked. It can display text, an image, or both.

TextField is a single-line text field that allows the user to input and edit text.

TextArea is a multi-line text field that allows the user to display and edit text. It includes scrollbars for navigating large amounts of text.

ToggleButton is a bistable button with two states: on and off. Each click toggles the button between these states. ToggleButtons can be grouped for single selection using ToggleGroup.

RadioButton is used for selecting one option from a group of choices. Each RadioButton must be placed within a ToggleGroup to ensure single selection.

CheckBox is a check box that can be selected or deselected by the user. It can have three states: unchecked, checked, and indeterminate.

Hyperlink is a component that looks like a hyperlink on a web page. Clicking on it triggers a specified action, similar to a button. It can display text and an image.

A MenuBar is a container for menu headers. It is typically placed at the top of the application window.

A Menu is a container for representing a menu with a list of options that can be accessed by the user. Menus can either be displayed as headings or can be expanded to show a list of options.

A MenuItem is a single option within a menu, representing a specific action or choice for the user.

A CheckMenuItem is a specialized MenuItem which behaves like a CheckBox. It allows users to select an option, toggling it on or off.

ContextMenus appear upon a right-click and provide options based on the context of the interaction. They use similar components as drop-down menus.

A ScrollPane allows you to display all or part of a component and provides scrollbars for moving the visible portion of the component.

A SplitPane divides the window into two panes separated by a divider that can be moved by the user to resize the panes.

A TabPane displays multiple areas using tabs, providing navigation between these areas. Each tab can contain a unique component. The tabs can be arranged along any edge.

Pagination is a UI element that presents information or interactions in a paged format. Page buttons provide navigation to individual pages.

A TitledPane is a panel with a collapsible title bar that allows the user to expand and collapse the content. This allows for efficient control over the display of information.

An Accordion, which brings together multiple TitledPanes to display content in a sequential manner. Only one TitledPane can be expanded within the Accordion, providing a compact way to manage and display associated sets of information.

A ToolBar is a container that holds UI elements like buttons, toggle buttons, and separators. It allows for displaying a collection of tools in a single organized bar, improving access and usability.

TreeView displays a hierarchical data structure in a tree-like format. Each node in the tree can have child nodes, enabling the user to explore nested information.