jpackageFX

This project is created to demonstrate how to build a very simple Java FX application with only the javaFX modules as none Java SE dependencies. The project and uses jpackage to create an installer. Using Github Actions, an installer is created for Mac, Windows and Linux.

The Gradle build

For the Gradle build configuration I have chosen not to use the gradle plugin provided by the FX developers just to make the steps performed in the build more transparent. An important thing to note is the fact that the javaFX dependencies are platform dependent. Another set of jars is needed when you build for Linux than When building for Windows or Mac. So first Gradle needs to discover the OS Using the discovered operating system, the dependencies for javaFX are resolved.

jpackage

Jpackage is part of Java since version 16. The tool uses jlink to create a dedicated runtime for the application. With this dedicated image, an installer is created for the OS on which the build script is executed.

Github Actions

Finally, the project uses github actions to request the Github environment to perform the build for Windows, Linux and Mac-OS The resulting artifact is available as download with the build.