Java framework for textual user interface (TUI) - java

I need to create TUI for my application. Is there any framework to help me with it? I need something like Ncurses, but for Java. I have found some (Jcurses, Charva). Anyone have experience with them? Please, advise me, which is better (better is mean easier in my case). Or maybe something else?

You could use Lanterna - Java library for creating text-based GUIs.
If you are familiar with Java's GUI frameworks like Swing or AWT, the UI-component based approach (window, panel, content-pane, add-component) might be easy to pick up.
It is used by CHARVA in their GitHub repo charva-lanterna.
See also:
Software Recommendations Stack Exchange: user interface - A Library for text based UI with menu facility in JAVA

Related

Java GUI - NOT Swing

I need a new way to create the graphical user interface of my application. I don't want to use Swing. I'm looking for something that looks a little different. Can you recommend me some other way of creating it, please?
Why not JavaFX ?
It is supposed to be replacing Swing as the standard Java GUI builder, so it would be a good option as it will be getting regular updates from Oracle itself. Additionally, being an officially sanctioned kit, it has plenty of tutorials, guides, and a decent (and growing) userbase that you can use for help.
And it uses CSS, which is good to learn as it can be useful in other applications. (Webdesign, etc.)
Finally, JavaFX is included with Java 8, so you don't even have to worry about installing a separate package! (Although adding a package is really not difficult if you prefer Java 7 or below.)
If your complaint with Swing is how it looks, note that you can change the look and feel of a Swing application very easily, or even write your own if you really wanted.
To get a look and feel that matches other applications on your system, you call:
UIManager.setLookAndFeel(UIManager.getSystemLookAndFeelClassName());
At the beginning of your program.
The default L&F, called Metal, also has a couple themes you can choose from (or you can create your own):
MetalLookAndFeel.setCurrentTheme(new DefaultMetalTheme());
Yes, javafx could be the way for you.
You can create Views using FXML files instead of coding everything in java.
The learning curve is not too hard in my view (and I am far from being a guru).
The tool Javafx Scene Builder is here to help you create your views or controls in FXML and integrates nicely with netbeans, and I suppose also with eclipse.
You can adapt the look of your controls using css.
I would suggest to start here to see if it would fit your need:
http://docs.oracle.com/javafx/2/overview/jfxpub-overview.htm

Is there any framework that can render Swing/AWT code into a webapp?

I am looking for a way to use a legacy Swing/AWT java code base remotely.
I know that a lot of web frameworks like GWT use concepts very similar to the layoutmanagers in Swing.
Is there anything out there that goes the full way and implements Swing or AWT by producing a webapp with HTML/Javascript?
So basically I would like to switch the highest level javax.swing.JFrame to newframework.JFrame like vncj does it similarly for VNC.
With a simple google search i came up with this software, no personal experiences with it tough.

MDI in SWT on Linux?

I'd like to create an MDI application using SWT.
I've done extensive searches and reach that the Decorations Object is the one responsable for trying supporting behavior. However, I've a Linux box, and the example provided
doesn't work for me.
The output of the example provided by the above link is:
Image
However, on Linux (GTK), I see only labels without control bars or boxes!
You might want to take a look at the Eclipse Rich Client Platform. It's built on SWT and gives you the full flexibility of the Eclipse User Interface (with views and editors) - and lots of other interesting stuff like a smart plug-in and modularization system or a full-fledged online help. Take a look at the RCP Mail Demo - it's a simple demo program that shows you how to create different views and move them around. (I'd offer my tutorial, but it's written in german. You'll find lots of good stuff around the net.) If you're still interested, there's a book named Eclipse Rich Client Platform available by Jeff McAffer - excellent guide.
Use the Novocode Application Framework. It has a Desktop Form for exactly that, and I like it, even if tabs are all the hype now. I already used it with great success!
(source: novocode.com)

Which tool is Prefered to design a GUI .? Java or .net C# WPF

I want to know which is the best tool which can be used to make GUI . Currently I'm working on VC++ 6.0 and I can't give a good look(Vista Look) in that.
So can anyone help me which one will be more suitable for GUI .. Java or any other tool(.net WPF) and if you can give the reason then it is very helpful.
Thanks
I would recommend WPF .. It has the new markup language which suits well the UI development, supported by code behind.
Check some examples http://blog.trivadis.com/blogs/manuelmeyer/archive/2008/06/12/cool-wpf-samples.aspx
Java is designed to work well across multiple systems.
.NET underlies Windows.
If you're trying to imitate Vista's look and feel as closely as possible, go with the framework that was written by the same company that also made your operating system.
Any of the above are capable of a good "Vista" look (including VC++). You just need to opt-in to the new visual control styles with a manifest. WPF will have the most options for a "sexy" Windows UI, and won't need the manifest.
You can use WPF for serving your purpose. WPF lets you
edit the opacity of the elements : so that you can create transparency effect as in Vista
create storyboards for your animations
change the look and feel of existing controls using styles, so it can be easy to create Vista style controls
apply bitmap effects such as Outerglow, Dropshadow, etc.
Although WPF is not limited to the above features, but it is the partial list of features for which you can use WPF to achieve your desired effect.
If you do decide to go down the Java route, take a look at the JGoodies libraries. They take a lot of the pain out of writing Swing apps by providing (amongst other things) a much more usable layout manager, a data binding framework, and some some Windows like look & feels.
Take a look at this to see why you don't want to use one of Swing's standard layout managers directly...
Depends on what you mean by "best" tool.
In Java you are most likely looking at Swing to develop your application as far as frameworks go. If you are looking for a complete RCP, you could take a look at the Netbeans Platform or Eclipse RCP. The Netbeans IDE also has a nice GUI editor that can be used for generating Swing GUIs (if you don't mind working with generated code and the Netbeans IDE).
WPF is very nice but has quite a large learning curve.
Swing is a bit chunky.
7 years ago at least Delphi was a really really polished and good way to produce a windows GUI, since then Delphi has moved to be a .net laungage. So I would recommend at least looking into Delphi
The tool decision should follow your requirements.
Do you need a GUI for a stand-alone Application or a client-server architecture? If it's stand-alone, do you need it for a single operating system or you need it portable? If it's client-server, do you want a thin client ('webapplication') or a rich client, if it's a rich client, you want the user to install it or shall it be provided by a webservice?
Do you want to hardcode the GUI or declare it? Do you have some expert knowledge on a certain programming language or a certain framework or do you want to use the project to learn on or the other (or both)?
I think, it's much easier to recommend something when we have some more background information.
From the few things I know I suggest:
Upgrade your visual c++ environment and keep working with the tools and frameworks you already know. Microsoft products should be the best solutions to develop applications for Microsoft operating systems.
I would recommend Flex with Adobe AIR - it's nice! adobe flex

JavaFX in the wild?

Does anybody know of any real-world web applications based on JavaFX? I'm an experienced Java programmer considering starting a website while I'm not at my day job. I don't have a lot of expertise on the UI side, so I'm looking for the best way to leverage my existing skills to create something that can provide an awesome RIA experience. Only trouble is, I don't know of any sites that are implemented using JavaFX, since it's so new. I'd like to see what it's capable of.
Found here quite an interesting stories. Top two listed below.
TweetBox
TweetFX
I think the best example of what JavaFX can do is in the examples on JavaFX.com.
However, it's still early in the JavaFX days thus you will be in pioneer days. Which means there are potential rich rewards to be had, but also - many unknowns.
What I think JavaFX "sweet-spots" are:
1 - If you either have Photoshop skills or are collaborating with someone who is - JavaFX provides the only real platform that lets you take Photoshop and generate a UI. Normally you mock-up in Photoshop and try your best to replicate, JavaFX can leverage it natively.
2 - You get all of the goodies from Java libraries "for free".
3 - Can leverage the UI skills to mobile (those that JavaFX will run on anyway).
However, if you are just wanting to have a Java GUI but would rather wait for more polish on JavaFX - I would recommend grabbing MigLayout & go with Swing on Java 6u10 or later.
There are a few JavaFX apps from the JavaFX Coding Challenge; my personal favorite is Music Explorer FX.
The new version of Indaba Music's software was written in JavaFX; the old version was in Flash.
In my personal opinion I would not use JavaFX for web. Simply because HTML5 is crushing everyone in sight. Now, I totally recomend the use of JavaFX for desktop applications.

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