What are JavaFX CSS styles?

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Key Features of JavaFX CSS
  • 1. Separation of Style and Logic
  • 2. Wide Range of Style Properties
  • 3. Use of CSS Selectors
    • Example Selectors:
  • 4. Media Queries
    • Example of Media Query:
• Applying CSS in JavaFX
  • 1. Creating a CSS File
  • 2. Linking CSS to JavaFX Application
  • 3. Inline Styling
• Benefits of Using JavaFX CSS Styles
• Conclusion

Introduction

JavaFX CSS styles allow developers to customize the appearance of user interface components in JavaFX applications. By leveraging CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), you can define styles for various UI elements, enhancing the visual appeal and consistency of your application. This article explores the key features of JavaFX CSS, its benefits, and how to apply styles effectively.

Key Features of JavaFX CSS

1. Separation of Style and Logic

JavaFX CSS promotes a clear separation between the application's logic and its presentation. This separation makes it easier to maintain and modify the visual aspects of the application without altering the underlying code.

2. Wide Range of Style Properties

JavaFX supports a variety of CSS properties that can be applied to UI components, including:

• Color and Background: Control text color, background color, gradients, and images.
• Font: Customize font family, size, style, and weight.
• Borders: Set border width, style, and color.
• Padding and Margins: Adjust spacing around and within components.
• Effects: Apply shadows, reflections, and other visual effects.

3. Use of CSS Selectors

JavaFX CSS allows you to use selectors to apply styles to specific components or groups of components. This makes it easy to target specific UI elements based on their types, IDs, or classes.

Example Selectors:

• Button targets all button elements.
• .myClass targets elements with the class myClass.
• #myId targets the element with the ID myId.

4. Media Queries

JavaFX CSS supports media queries, enabling you to create responsive designs that adapt to different screen sizes and resolutions. This feature allows for conditional styling based on device characteristics.

Example of Media Query:

Applying CSS in JavaFX

1. Creating a CSS File

To apply styles, you can create a .css file and define your styles within it. For example:

2. Linking CSS to JavaFX Application

You can link the CSS file to your JavaFX application in the following way:

3. Inline Styling

For quick styling, you can also apply styles directly to a component using the setStyle method:

Benefits of Using JavaFX CSS Styles

• Consistency: By defining styles in one place, you ensure a consistent look across your application.
• Maintainability: Changing styles is easier when they are separated from the application logic, reducing the need to modify the underlying code.
• Flexibility: You can easily switch themes or modify styles without changing the application behavior.
• Visual Appeal: Enhanced styling options allow for more attractive and engaging user interfaces.

Conclusion

JavaFX CSS styles are a powerful feature that enables developers to customize the appearance of their applications effectively. By using CSS, you can achieve a clean separation between style and logic, making your code more maintainable and your user interfaces more visually appealing. With the ability to apply a wide range of styles and leverage media queries, JavaFX CSS offers the tools needed to create responsive and attractive applications.