Sun Microsystems gave developers at its JavaOne conference their first glimpse of JavaFX — a family of products it announced last year that promise to enable developers to create rich Internet applications that run on a variety of platforms.

“JavaFX is a powerful client technology for creating rich Internet applications with immersive media and content across the multiple screens of an individual's life,” said Sun Microsystems Executive Vice President Rich Green. “Java technology is now ready for the new creative audiences that have emerged in response to consumer demand for rich content.”

Introducing JavaScript

Built on Java Standard Edition — the Java platform already running on many desktop computers — JavaFX is designed to unite billions of Java SE and Java Micro Edition devices, Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz said when the technology was first announced last year. “It will allow any consumer electronics manufacturer to accelerate the delivery of Java/Linux-based devices — from phones to set tops and dashboards and everything else imaginable and without fear of format lock-in or disintermediation from a competitor,” he said.

In particular, Sun's new suite introduces a new high-performance declarative scripting language known as JavaFX Script. Like the rest of the Java platform, the product will be made available under the standard GPL license.

Among other things, JavaFX Script will enable the binding of applications to various data sources, Sun said, enabling developers to create compelling mashup offerings. Moreover, JavaFX Script is designed to deliver a rich end-to-end experience for developers and users alike through its close integration with other standard Java application and infrastructure components.

The scripters, social-application creators, designers, content authors and consumers who elect to join the Java ecosystem of more than six million developers will “take Java technology in exciting new directions,” Green said.

On All Screens

Green said Sun's Java runtime technology already has evolved to become the most powerful, scalable and secure development platform for a broad range of enterprise and mobile applications. “Consumer demand is where the action is, and with 2.2 billion mobile devices and 91 percent of all desktops, Java technology has become a constant digital companion, playing an essential role in everyday life,” Green added.

Sun's JavaFX tool suite — which will compete with Adobe AIR and Microsoft Silverlight — is expected to benefit from Java's widespread acceptance.

“Java powers virtually every enterprise on the planet, in every Web farm and every enterprise and in any large system out there — it's everywhere,” Green said. “The rate of growth of Java continues unabated, across all the screens of your life.”

The first version of JavaFX Desktop for the browser and desktop is slated for launch this fall, Green told JavaOne attendees. Additionally, Sun is working with the majority of global handset manufacturers and carriers to deliver the first versions of JavaFX Mobile and JavaFX TV by spring 2009, Green added.