Taking JavaFX head-on: Java SwingBuilder 0.1.RC1 is here!

JavaFX is no more the only way to do modern declarative UIs on the Java platform. However, unlike JavaFX, the Java SwingBuilder allows you to do it today and in pure Java (using an external YAML file to define the layout, control definitions, data binding setup, event wiring).

The aim of the Java SwingBuilder is to make UI programming in Java more productive than in any other tool, without the need for any specialized UI builders. The Java SwingBuilder runs on Java 5 and is released under the business friendly Apache 2.0 license.

Main site:
http://www.javabuilders.org [0.1.RC1 direct download]

Here are some screenshots from the samples app that is new to this release and showcases the power and productivity of the Java SwingBuilder.


And here are samples of the YAML files:
http://code.google.com/p/javabuilders/source/browse/trunk/org.javabuilders.swing/samples/org/javabuilders/swing/samples/ComponentsPanel.yaml

http://code.google.com/p/javabuilders/source/browse/trunk/org.javabuilders.swing/samples/org/javabuilders/swing/samples/BorderPanel.yaml

http://code.google.com/p/javabuilders/source/browse/trunk/org.javabuilders.swing/samples/org/javabuilders/swing/samples/MigLayoutPanel1.yaml

The only thing missing to really give JavaFX a run for its money is the desktop FX. We will do this in a two-step approach:

a) integrate JXLayer to provide desktop FX for "traditional" Swing panels (planned for 0.2)
b) integrate Scenegraph once it reaches 1.0 and changes license from pure GPL (no exact plans at this time)

Please see our wiki (which will be heavily updated with the missing details before 0.1 FINAL).
We look forward to seeing you at the JavaBuilders Google Group with any questions or bug reports:
http://groups.google.com/group/javabuilders

P.S. And last, but not least...the JavaBuilders engine is not Swing-specific. We will be starting development of the Java SWTBuilder shortly (hey, maybe we'll even do a PivotBuilder). Stay tuned.