With the fwutil package you can kickstart the development of java desktop applications. Things like labels (for localization), storage of user specific data and logging are all available after running two methods: Startup.boot(...) at program start and Startup.close(...) at program termination.

The quickest way to get an impression of what the fwutil package can do for you and how you can use it is by running and examining the source code of MainAppExample.

With the fwutil package the programmer can focus on developing the application without the need to put effort in generic functions/services common for most (small) java desktop applications. All of the functions provided by the fwutil package can also be used separately.
An overview of what is provided:
- Logging: the logger provided by the fwutil package uses rotating log-files and includes a logging window. This logger will also capture output to System.out and System.err so you do not have to worry about missing any error messages thrown by the JRE.
- Labels: by editing a UTF8 text file you can add/modify/remove labels. The labels can be fetched using one simple method: Labels.get("ALabel").
- Settings: settings are loaded and stored in an XML-file in the data-directory. Simply call Settings.put(key, value) and Settings.get(key) to store and retrieve settings (e.g. WindowDimensions which is also part of this package).
- A font selector (when using Startup.boot() and Startup.close(), the choosen font is stored and applied automatically).
- A Unicode file reader/writer.
- A browser launcher.
- Various handy functions and "how to" source code in the Util class and other classes.

The fwutil package includes the hvlayout package for building screens. MainAppExample and FontSelector use this package. See HVLayout home for more information.