Jython
Jython is an implementation of Python in Java. Jython has the same
syntax as Python 2.1, so many Python programs will also run in Jython.
Jython integrates very closely with Java libraries - they can be
imported and used almost the same way Python modules are used.
Jython turns Python into a scripting language for Java applications.
You can write an entire application in Jython drawing on standard Java
packages such as Swing and third-party libraries such as dom4j to
implement some parts of the application. You can also use Jython as a
scripting extension for an application written primarily in Java, and
you can write web servlets in Jython.
If you work primarily with Java code, Jython is an excellent addition
to your toolkit.
The main Jython web site is at http://www.jython.org. The online resources for
learning Jython are a bit skimpy. The jython-users
mailing list is helpful if you RTFM first and show the code that gives
you trouble.
If you want to learn Jython, I recommend you learn the basics of Python
first using any of these resources.
Once you are comfortable with Python then you can try out Jython and
focus on the way it integrates with Java.
Alternatively the book Jython Essentialsis
a good introduction to Jython that doesn't assume you know Python. If
you are going to do much with Jython you probably want this book.
Jython and Swing
Jython and Swing work great together. Writing a Swing GUI in Jython is much easier than writing it in Java.
Learning
Python has a chapter on Jython that includes a substantial Swing
example. Jython
Essentials also has a chapter on Swing.
I have written a simple and complete example of using Jython
and Swing to create a simple window with some buttons.
Finally, check out the demo programs that come with Jython.
Jython and dom4j
Jython and dom4j together comprise my favorite environment for working with XML data. dom4j makes it easy to work with the XML, Jython makes it easy to do everything else. I have written more about the combination here. In this essay I talk about one of the great features of dom4j - integrated XPath support.
Jython and Java Web Start
It's a bit tricky to use Jython with Java Web Start. Here is
my recipe.