The Swing Application Framework (JSR 296) is no longer developed and will not become part of the official Java Development Kit as was originally planned. It is still included in the IDE and you can use this library as it is, but no further development is expected. If you are looking for a Swing-based application framework, consider using the NetBeans Platform.
The main difference between the Swing Application Framework and the NetBeans Platform
in this regard is scope. The Swing Application Framework is more lightweight and
easier to get started with. The NetBeans Platform is more full-featured and
better suited for large and extensible applications.
The Swing Application Framework is a light framework that simplifies the
creation and maintaining of small- to medium-sized Java desktop
applications. The framework consists of a Java class library that
supports constructs for things such as the following:
Remembering state between sessions.
Easier managing of actions, including running as background tasks and specifying
blocking behavior.
Enhanced resource management, including resource injection for
bean properties.
The IDE supports the development of applications based on the
Swing Application Framework in the following ways:
Providing the Java Desktop Application project template, which
contains skeleton implementations of the
main framework features. This template enables you to choose from
the follow two shells:
Basic Application. Provides a basic frame, some sample menu items, status bar,
and mechanisms for managing actions and resources.
Database Application. Provides all of the features in the Basic Application shell
plus all of the features necessary for a simple database application with create, read,
update, and delete features.
Integration of framework features in the IDE's GUI Builder. Swing
Application Framework applications can be designed in the IDE like any
other Swing application.
Generating your application's UI text and other resources in .properties
files.
Providing a special property editor for actions in which you can associate
an action with keyboard accelerators, text, and a tooltip. In addition, you
can configure properties for when it is selected or enabled and you can set
the action to run asynchronously.
You can read more about the Swing Application Framework at
and