Fully open sourced JavaFX delayed

Just three weeks ago at JavaOne, Oracle was still saying that the JavaFX RIA (Rich Internet Application) platform would become fully available as open source software by the end of the year. Now, JavaFX project architect Richard Bair has adjusted that schedule and moved the release date to February 2013.

The reason: the development technology for web interfaces that is being heavily promoted by Oracle is tied into the release cycle for Java security updates. The JavaFX code is undergoing a security audit and, although some parts may easily be fixed, Bair expects that some code will require changes that can only appear in Java updates. However, the four-monthly rhythm in which these updates arrive means that the next security update is scheduled for February.

Some JavaFX components have already been made available as open source code, as Oracle started the process in late 2011. In the long run, the plan is to fully integrate the technology into the Java Standard Edition (Java SE) – current versions of Java already bundle it and, for the Java 8 release, expected in 2013, the developers plan to continue bundling. JavaFX is expected to be bumped to version 8 at the same time as Java 8 arrives. For Java 9, the plan is to standardise the JavaFX technologies within the Java Community Process (JCP).

The project contributors say that they are working to simplify the project's structure and revise its build infrastructure. One of their stated aims is to "make it trivial" to develop JavaFX code using an IDE. They also plan to allow for partial builds and cross builds, dynamically download project dependencies and reduce the number of lines of code in their build scripts.

See also:

• JavaOne 2012: Oracle outlines its Java plans, a report from The H.

(djwm)