A JavaFX application exists and the application is starting from the Main.class file which extends Application:
public class Main extends Application {
/**
* Keep a reference to the main Stage
*/
public static Stage stage;
/**
* MainScene Controller
*/
public static MainScene mainSceneController;
/**
* The Capture Window of the application
*/
public static CaptureWindow captureWindowController;
/**
* Settings Scene Controller
*/
public static SettingsController settingsController;
#Override
public void start(Stage primary) throws Exception {
stage = primary;
..........
// CaptureWindow
FXMLLoader loader1 = new FXMLLoader(getClass().getResource("/fxml/CaptureWindow.fxml"));
loader1.load();
captureWindowController = loader1.getController();
// MainScene
mainSceneController = new MainScene();
.........
}
}
Description
As you can see above I have 3 FXMLControllers(one is reusable[extends StackPane],others not).I have declared all of them static cause i want to access variables from one FXMLController from the other FXMLControllers.I use this strategy every time I use JavaFX and I don't think is good...
How I can change the code below so I can access variables or methods of one FXMLController from other FXMLController? Is that possible without using static keyword?
Consider that the Controllers are represented from different classes which can be in different packages.
Also before writing this question I had a look Static #FXML variables in FXML Controller
Actually the answer for this question seems a little bit complicated it has to do with MVC pattern and it's evolution until now.We will use MVP Pattern.
After a long discussion i got a link on this website http://martinfowler.com/eaaDev/uiArchs.html defining the historical evolution of the different patterns used from the old ages of Smalltalk until now.
The actually solution is using Model Viewer Presenter Pattern(MVP) which can be visually described using these images:
For more you can read(http://www.wildcrest.com/Potel/Portfolio/mvp.pdf)
For an example on JavaFX have a look on James_D answer here (Applying MVC With JavaFx)
Last but not least have a look at the comments here:
Finally:
If anything is inaccurate feel free to edit.
I think you are not supposed to declare #FXML annotated attributes with the static keyword. See this GitHub project on how you should do it. Like that you instantiate a controller only when it is needed, and your app will be stateless.
JavaFx is mostly composed of set of [well designed] tools but unfortunately by itself does not provide a good framework for creating complex UI designs e.g. MVC/MVP patterns, view flows and actions on multiple controllers, So you have to rely on third-party application frameworks for those for example:
DataFx
JacpFx
JRebirth
JFX Flow
In my opinion none of them are widely used or mature enough to be considered a de facto standard but using them is encouraged.
Example Using DataFx
DataFx uses a concept named Flow to associate views sharing a flow of events (and possibly data) among themselves. By using Flow combined with EventSystem you can define and access methods on other controllers and assign custom event listeners to various events associated with JavaFx Nodes in different controllers sharing a flow.
Here is an example from DataFx samples which represents two separate sender and receiver views with distinct FXML files and controllers:
public class EventSystemDemo extends Application {
#Override
public void start(Stage primaryStage) throws Exception {
HBox box = new HBox();
box.setSpacing(12);
box.setPadding(new Insets(12));
box.setFillHeight(true);
box.setAlignment(Pos.CENTER);
Flow senderFlow = new Flow(ProducerController.class);
box.getChildren().add(senderFlow.start());
Flow receiverFlow = new Flow(ReceiverController.class);
box.getChildren().add(receiverFlow.start());
primaryStage.setScene(new Scene(box));
primaryStage.show();
}
public static void main(String... args) {
launch(args);
}
}
Sender view controller:
#ViewController("producer.fxml")
public class ProducerController {
#FXML
#EventTrigger()
private Button sendButton;
#FXML
private TextField textField;
#EventProducer("test-message")
private String getMessage() {
return textField.getText();
}
}
Receiver view controller:
#ViewController("receiver.fxml")
public class ReceiverController {
#FXML
private Label messageLabel;
#OnEvent("test-message")
private void onNewChatMessage(Event<String> e) {
messageLabel.setText(e.getContent());
}
}
Sender View:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<?import javafx.scene.text.*?>
<?import javafx.geometry.*?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.*?>
<?import java.lang.*?>
<?import javafx.scene.layout.*?>
<VBox alignment="TOP_CENTER" maxHeight="-Infinity" maxWidth="-Infinity" minHeight="-Infinity" minWidth="-Infinity" spacing="12.0" style="-fx-border-color: darkgrey; -fx-border-width: 2;" xmlns="http://javafx.com/javafx/8" xmlns:fx="http://javafx.com/fxml/1">
<children>
<Label text="Sender">
<font>
<Font name="System Bold" size="24.0" />
</font>
</Label>
<TextField fx:id="textField" />
<Button fx:id="sendButton" mnemonicParsing="false" text="send" />
</children>
<padding>
<Insets bottom="12.0" left="12.0" right="12.0" top="12.0" />
</padding>
</VBox>
Receiver View:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<?import javafx.scene.text.*?>
<?import javafx.geometry.*?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.*?>
<?import java.lang.*?>
<?import javafx.scene.layout.*?>
<VBox alignment="TOP_CENTER" maxHeight="-Infinity" maxWidth="-Infinity" minHeight="-Infinity" minWidth="-Infinity" spacing="12.0" style="-fx-border-color: darkgrey; -fx-border-width: 2;" xmlns="http://javafx.com/javafx/8" xmlns:fx="http://javafx.com/fxml/1">
<children>
<Label text="Receiver">
<font>
<Font name="System Bold" size="24.0" />
</font></Label>
<Label fx:id="messageLabel" />
</children>
<padding>
<Insets bottom="12.0" left="12.0" right="12.0" top="12.0" />
</padding>
</VBox>
For further reading:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javafx/community/3rd-party-1844355.html
http://www.guigarage.com/2015/02/quick-overview-datafx-mvc-flow-api/
http://www.guigarage.com/2014/05/datafx-8-0-tutorials/
http://jacpfx.org/2014/11/03/JacpFX_DataFX_a_perfect_match.html
Passing Parameters JavaFX FXML
You can implement your own controller factory so you would be able of creating your own controllers context.
I have used spring with javaFX, and I have implemented my own controllers factory using spring, in that way you can inject one controller in other (you shouldn't need it as those connections should be on the model)
If you want to try spring with Java fx: How to wire multiple fxml controllers using spring dependency-injection?
Definitely you should use an Application Framework that will help you to structure your code.
If you want to try JRebirth, just cut your application in 4 parts:
MainModel composed by:
MainSceneModel
CaptureWindowModel
SettingsModel
You can access to one from anyone by using getModel(Model.class) or send async message using sendWave(Wave).
MainModel can use innerComponent to tightly link child-model to it.
It's pretty simple to use, if you are interested in I can prototype you a sample app just let me know.
Related
Example:
<AnchorPane xmlns="http://javafx.com/javafx/9.0.1" xmlns:fx="http://javafx.com/fxml/1" fx:controller="HomeController">
<children>
<VBox fx:id="vBoxParent" maxHeight="-Infinity" maxWidth="-Infinity" minHeight="-Infinity" minWidth="-Infinity">
<children>
<MenuBar fx:id="menubar" prefHeight="30.0" prefWidth="800.0">
...
With this code, the stage opens fullsize, but the menubar isn´t covering all the lenght. What do I have to add?
If you want the MenuBar to take the full size of VBox, you can replace VBox with MenuBar, placing MenuBar directly in AnchorPane, and giving Anchor Pane Constraints to the MenuBar (to be responsive).
If you want to keep VBox for some reason, you can change the MenuBar properties:
set Vgrow to: allways (allways increase the vertical length)
set Max Width to: MAX_VALUE
I recommend you to use SceneBuilder, to easily find functions and preview changes.
Entering fx:id's manually across controllers and FXML files and late binding are a potential source of errors, fragilising code robustness (my personal opinion).
On the other hand, it offers flexibility.
Is there a way of proofing the binding and identifying errors before revealing them at runtime, or is this the "by design" workflow and you have to make do and just be careful while coding ?
edit :
I am using Eclipse with e(fx)clipse, and Gluon Scene Builder
As far as I know there is no real "proof" like the javac which would complain. JavaFx to too dynmaic for this. The best thing you can do is adding the controller to your FXML file like this
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<?import java.lang.*?>
<?import javafx.geometry.*?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.*?>
<?import javafx.scene.layout.*?>
<ScrollPane xmlns="http://javafx.com/javafx/8"
xmlns:fx="http://javafx.com/fxml/1" fx:controller="com.myapp.MyController">
<content>
...
</content>
</ScrollPane>
This then allows Eclipse or IntelliJ (thx #silifly) to show you warning about elements which have not been binded to you controller. Bu this will not tell if the injection which is performed by the FXMLLoader was successful. You then could check during the initialization phase if your element has been injected correctly.
import javafx.fxml.FXML;
import javafx.fxml.Initializable;
public class MyController implements Initializable {
#FXML
private Button btnLogin;
#Override
public void initialize(URL location, ResourceBundle resources) {
assert btnLogin != null : "fx:id=\"btnLogin\" was not injected: check your FXML file 'MyView.fxml'.";
}
}
Those are the two facilities which I know and use a lot to check if everything has been setup correctly.
Edit:
I just saw that you don't need to implement the interface anymore you can just write
#FXML
public void initialize() {
...
}
I am writing a simulation software for my Masters and it consists on a "Graph container" where you can link nodes to generate equations according to what I link. These equations will, then, enable me to simulate my model. I am using Java 8 and JavaFX for that, with Scene Builder and FXML.
Searching on the web, I found the Graph-Editor (https://github.com/tesis-dynaware/graph-editor), which will help me a lot with what I need. Following the Tutorial on the project's site, I could reproduce it and it is running. But on my software I do not need to create a new window as the tutorial does to use the graphs - instead, I want to have a TabPane that enables me to create as many models as I need, like a text editor, and if I want I can save it on XML, etc...
My problem is: I tried to put the graphs from the tutorial inside the Tab they do on the tutorial (with the getView method) and it is not working. I tried it in two different ways, which result in an empty Tab, with no nodes and no error on the console.
First try
I tried putting into a Pane and set the GraphEditor inside the Pane.
My java code:
private GraphEditor graphEditor = new DefaultGraphEditor();
#FXML
private Pane graphEditorPane;
#FXML
public void initialize(){
graphEditorPane = new Pane(graphEditor.getView());
GModel model = GraphFactory.eINSTANCE.createGModel();
graphEditor.setModel(model);
addNodes(model);
}
My FXML code:
<TabPane tabClosingPolicy="UNAVAILABLE" AnchorPane.bottomAnchor="0.0" AnchorPane.leftAnchor="0.0" AnchorPane.rightAnchor="0.0" AnchorPane.topAnchor="0.0">
<tabs>
<Tab text="Modelo 1">
<content>
<AnchorPane minHeight="0.0" minWidth="0.0">
<children>
<Pane fx:id="graphEditorPane" prefHeight="571.0" prefWidth="1000.0" AnchorPane.bottomAnchor="0.0" AnchorPane.leftAnchor="0.0" AnchorPane.rightAnchor="0.0" AnchorPane.topAnchor="0.0" />
</children>
</AnchorPane>
</content>
</Tab>
</tabs>
</TabPane>
Second way
I have seen their demo source code and what I understood was that they created an instance of their GraphEditorContainer object and then their FXML file has that GraphEditorContainer, but mine doesn't work that way. Maybe I got what they did wrong (I am a beginner in Java and JavaFX).
My java code:
private GraphEditor graphEditor = new DefaultGraphEditor();
#FXML
private GraphEditorContainer graphEditorContainer;
#FXML
public void initialize(){
graphEditorContainer = new GraphEditorContainer();
GModel model = GraphFactory.eINSTANCE.createGModel();
graphEditor.setModel(model);
graphEditorContainer.setGraphEditor(graphEditor);
addNodes(model);
}
My FXML code:
<?import de.tesis.dynaware.grapheditor.GraphEditorContainer?>
<TabPane tabClosingPolicy="UNAVAILABLE" AnchorPane.bottomAnchor="0.0" AnchorPane.leftAnchor="0.0" AnchorPane.rightAnchor="0.0" AnchorPane.topAnchor="0.0">
<tabs>
<Tab text="Modelo 1">
<content>
<AnchorPane minHeight="0.0" minWidth="0.0">
<children>
<GraphEditorContainer fx:id="graphEditorContainer" minWidth="0" minHeight="0" maxWidth="+Infinity" maxHeight="+Infinity"/>
</children>
</AnchorPane>
</content>
</Tab>
</tabs>
</TabPane>
I could put the code that opens the window and draws the nodes in the handleNew function (code below), but not in the Tab.
Stage secondaryStage = new Stage();
GraphEditor graphEditor = new DefaultGraphEditor();
Scene scene = new Scene(graphEditor.getView(), 800, 600);
secondaryStage.setScene(scene);
secondaryStage.show();
GModel model = GraphFactory.eINSTANCE.createGModel();
graphEditor.setModel(model);
addNodes(model);
If it's possible could you help me?
Thank You
Error on console:
javafx.fxml.LoadException: GraphEditorContainer is not a valid type.
simply means that you didn't put the import for GraphEditorContainer in the FXML file. Something like
<? import com.somecompany.somepackage.GraphEditorContainer ?>
near the top of the FXML file (with the other imports), obviously edited for the correct package name.
In the controller, it is always a mistake to initialize #FXML-annotated fields, for obvious reasons, so replace
#FXML
private GraphEditorContainer graphEditorContainer = new GraphEditorContainer();
with
#FXML
private GraphEditorContainer graphEditorContainer ;
Using custom (or 3rd party) controls in SceneBuilder is covered in Adding a custom component to SceneBuilder 2.0
I'm new to javaFX. I created a customized Search box (extends TextField) in java, check image:
I tested it with a test class and it's working.
I want to know now if it's possible to create its FXML file than add this component to scene builder ? how to do it ? Thanks in advance.
How to Import a Component from a JAR into SceneBuilder
You can put your component in a Jar and import it into SceneBuilder. You don't need to create an FXML file for your component to add it to SceneBuilder Library Panel.
See the Adding Custom Components to the Library section of the JavaFX user guide.
To import custom GUI components from a JAR or FXML file:
Select Import JAR/FXML file command from the Library panel's menu, or
drag the JAR or FXML file directly from your system's native file
manager (Explorer or Finder) and drop it into the Library panel
In the Open dialog window, navigate to the location of the JAR or FXML
file that you want to import. The Import Dialog, similar to what is
shown in Figure 8-4, is displayed. The JAR file's contents are
inspected and all the Java classes that are determined as being
suitable custom components are displayed in the dialog window. The
FXML file's contents are parsed to make sure that the component being
added is valid and self-contained.
From the Import dialog window, select or unselect items from the list
of items that you are able to import.
Click Import Components. Imported items are added to the Custom
section of the Library panel. They can be used immediately and they
persist in the Library even after Scene Builder is restarted
Note, SceneBuilder also supports importing of FXML based components rather than just straight code components. This answer only discusses importing of code only components which do not contain FXML.
Sample Imported Component Usage
Here is a custom search field component that I imported into SceneBuilder using the method outlined above.
The top search panel is in the Scene Builder design pane, the bottom search panel is the result of using the Scene Builder preview function and searching for happiness.
Sample SceneBuilder Generated Code
The fxml file which was generated by SceneBuilder based on the design is included here. Note, this was just a test scene I created with SceneBuilder to test the already imported component - it was not part of the component import process itself.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<?import javafx.scene.text.*?>
<?import org.jewelsea.*?>
<?import javafx.geometry.*?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.*?>
<?import java.lang.*?>
<?import javafx.scene.layout.*?>
<VBox maxHeight="-Infinity" maxWidth="-Infinity" minHeight="-Infinity" minWidth="-Infinity" spacing="10.0" xmlns="http://javafx.com/javafx/8" xmlns:fx="http://javafx.com/fxml/1">
<children>
<Label text="Search Field Import Test">
<font>
<Font size="16.0" />
</font>
</Label>
<SearchField />
</children>
<padding>
<Insets bottom="10.0" left="10.0" right="10.0" top="10.0" />
</padding>
</VBox>
Sample (importable) Component Code
The code for the search box which was imported is:
package org.jewelsea;
import javafx.geometry.Insets;
import javafx.scene.control.Button;
import javafx.scene.control.Label;
import javafx.scene.control.TextField;
import javafx.scene.layout.HBox;
import javafx.scene.layout.StackPane;
import javafx.scene.layout.VBox;
public class SearchField extends StackPane {
private final TextField textField;
private final Button searchButton;
private final Label searchResults;
public SearchField() {
textField = new TextField();
textField.setPromptText(
"Search Text"
);
searchButton = new Button("Search");
searchResults = new Label();
VBox layout = new VBox(
20,
new HBox(
10,
textField,
searchButton
),
searchResults
);
layout.setPadding(new Insets(10));
searchButton.setOnAction(event ->
searchResults.setText(
"Search result for " + textField.getText()
)
);
getChildren().setAll(
layout
);
}
}
Component Pre-requisites
In order for the process to work, there are a few things you need to ensure:
Your component class extends Node.
Your component class has a no argument constructor.
Your component class and no argument constructor are public.
Your component class is in a package (e.g. org.jewelsea) - it can't have no package set.
Your component class is packaged in a JAR file which has been imported into SceneBuilder as described above.
Troubleshooting
If you are having issues importing the JAR, after you have attempted a JAR import, you can use the JAR analysis function documented below to help troubleshoot (which might help or might just provide some cryptic information to confuse you more).
Also, from this answer:
JavaFX - Scene Builder 16 not loading Custom Control properly (no errors)
Try to launch Scene Builder from command line, you should see the output of the library imports, including possible exceptions from your custom control when you add it.
I'm new to javaFX. I created a customized Search box (extends TextField) in java, check image:
I tested it with a test class and it's working.
I want to know now if it's possible to create its FXML file than add this component to scene builder ? how to do it ? Thanks in advance.
How to Import a Component from a JAR into SceneBuilder
You can put your component in a Jar and import it into SceneBuilder. You don't need to create an FXML file for your component to add it to SceneBuilder Library Panel.
See the Adding Custom Components to the Library section of the JavaFX user guide.
To import custom GUI components from a JAR or FXML file:
Select Import JAR/FXML file command from the Library panel's menu, or
drag the JAR or FXML file directly from your system's native file
manager (Explorer or Finder) and drop it into the Library panel
In the Open dialog window, navigate to the location of the JAR or FXML
file that you want to import. The Import Dialog, similar to what is
shown in Figure 8-4, is displayed. The JAR file's contents are
inspected and all the Java classes that are determined as being
suitable custom components are displayed in the dialog window. The
FXML file's contents are parsed to make sure that the component being
added is valid and self-contained.
From the Import dialog window, select or unselect items from the list
of items that you are able to import.
Click Import Components. Imported items are added to the Custom
section of the Library panel. They can be used immediately and they
persist in the Library even after Scene Builder is restarted
Note, SceneBuilder also supports importing of FXML based components rather than just straight code components. This answer only discusses importing of code only components which do not contain FXML.
Sample Imported Component Usage
Here is a custom search field component that I imported into SceneBuilder using the method outlined above.
The top search panel is in the Scene Builder design pane, the bottom search panel is the result of using the Scene Builder preview function and searching for happiness.
Sample SceneBuilder Generated Code
The fxml file which was generated by SceneBuilder based on the design is included here. Note, this was just a test scene I created with SceneBuilder to test the already imported component - it was not part of the component import process itself.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<?import javafx.scene.text.*?>
<?import org.jewelsea.*?>
<?import javafx.geometry.*?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.*?>
<?import java.lang.*?>
<?import javafx.scene.layout.*?>
<VBox maxHeight="-Infinity" maxWidth="-Infinity" minHeight="-Infinity" minWidth="-Infinity" spacing="10.0" xmlns="http://javafx.com/javafx/8" xmlns:fx="http://javafx.com/fxml/1">
<children>
<Label text="Search Field Import Test">
<font>
<Font size="16.0" />
</font>
</Label>
<SearchField />
</children>
<padding>
<Insets bottom="10.0" left="10.0" right="10.0" top="10.0" />
</padding>
</VBox>
Sample (importable) Component Code
The code for the search box which was imported is:
package org.jewelsea;
import javafx.geometry.Insets;
import javafx.scene.control.Button;
import javafx.scene.control.Label;
import javafx.scene.control.TextField;
import javafx.scene.layout.HBox;
import javafx.scene.layout.StackPane;
import javafx.scene.layout.VBox;
public class SearchField extends StackPane {
private final TextField textField;
private final Button searchButton;
private final Label searchResults;
public SearchField() {
textField = new TextField();
textField.setPromptText(
"Search Text"
);
searchButton = new Button("Search");
searchResults = new Label();
VBox layout = new VBox(
20,
new HBox(
10,
textField,
searchButton
),
searchResults
);
layout.setPadding(new Insets(10));
searchButton.setOnAction(event ->
searchResults.setText(
"Search result for " + textField.getText()
)
);
getChildren().setAll(
layout
);
}
}
Component Pre-requisites
In order for the process to work, there are a few things you need to ensure:
Your component class extends Node.
Your component class has a no argument constructor.
Your component class and no argument constructor are public.
Your component class is in a package (e.g. org.jewelsea) - it can't have no package set.
Your component class is packaged in a JAR file which has been imported into SceneBuilder as described above.
Troubleshooting
If you are having issues importing the JAR, after you have attempted a JAR import, you can use the JAR analysis function documented below to help troubleshoot (which might help or might just provide some cryptic information to confuse you more).
Also, from this answer:
JavaFX - Scene Builder 16 not loading Custom Control properly (no errors)
Try to launch Scene Builder from command line, you should see the output of the library imports, including possible exceptions from your custom control when you add it.