How to Implement the MVC Pattern in JavaFX Using Scene Builder?

What is the best way to implement the MVC pattern in JavaFX using Scene Builder?

// Sample Controller code for JavaFX MVC
define class ExampleController {
    @FXML private Button myButton;

    public void handleButtonAction(ActionEvent event) {
        System.out.println("Button Pressed!");
    }
}

The MVC (Model-View-Controller) pattern is a widely adopted software architectural pattern that separates an application into three interconnected components. This separation facilitates modularization, making applications easier to manage, test, and scale. In JavaFX, you can implement the MVC pattern quite effectively, especially when using Scene Builder to design your user interface.

// FXML Example for JavaFX
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.*?>
<?import javafx.scene.layout.*?>

<AnchorPane xmlns:fx="http://javafx.com/fxml" fx:controller="ExampleController">
    <Button fx:id="myButton" text="Press Me" onAction="handleButtonAction"/>
</AnchorPane>

Causes

• Lack of separation between business logic and UI components can lead to complex code.
• Hard to maintain or test applications without clear structure.

Solutions

• Use Scene Builder to design your UI visually and save the layout as an FXML file.
• Create a Model class that defines the data structure of your application.
• Implement a Controller class that responds to user actions and communicates between the Model and View.
• Bind UI elements to the Controller using the @FXML annotation in your Java code.

Mistake: Forgetting to link FXML elements to the Controller.

Solution: Ensure you declare the UI elements in the controller class with the @FXML annotation.

Mistake: Mixing business logic with user interface code.

Solution: Keep your business logic in the Model or separate service classes.