UI architecture
Intro
The Assothink / EPM project involves
computing daemon (EPM engine) running in C or in Java
data servers and data controllers abel to server UI applications and to launch daemons (running in Java)
UI (front-end) running as applic or within browsers
The point here is the suitable architecture and tools for the 3rd family : the UI (user interface)
3 solutions compared
| Needs | GWT | JavaFX | Applicet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runs as applic | no | yes !? | yes |
| Runs in browsers | yes | yes | yes |
| Requires tomcat server | yes | no | no |
| Requires JVM clientside | no | yes | yes |
| Full Java written | yes | yes | yes |
| Swing ? | GWT! | Prism | Swing |
| Anim library | gwtAnim | ?? | anim |
| Other mscp libs | most | yes | yes |
| Access to server files | request/answer | ?? | sockets? |
| Local storage (20Mb) | 5Mb | ?? | ?? |
JavaFX vs Swing
It is sais that (1) JavaFX will 'replace' Swing, and (2) JavaFX can coexist with Swing.
Notes on javaFX : local and remote storage
There is no equivalent of javafx.io.Storage and javafx.io.Resource in JavaFX 2.x itself. Because JavaFX 2.x is based on Java, you can use Java services.
The JNLP FileSaveService and FileOpenService may be used. These services should work across JNLP based deployments (browser embedded and webstart apps) - not sure if they work for standalone apps.
If you know that your application will be run as a standalone app or a signed browser embedded or webstart app with higher privileges, then you can get the user directory via the user.home system property and write your app data to an an appropriate file location under that, probably using the Files api as in this Files tutorial. For example, use the Files api to create a {$user.dir}/.myapp/appdata.dat file to read and write.
JavaFX does embed an html5 webengine, but unfortunately (as of JavaFX 2.2), I don't think it implements the offline storage portion of the html5 specification (otherwise, you could probably have used that as an alternative).
JavaFX proof of concept (dec 2012)
Write a simple javaFX codes (extended "Hello, world") that
- works as applic
- works in browsers
- access user (local) storage
- reads server storage
- interacts with server through simple messages