book

JFC Swing Tutorial, The: A Guide to Constructing GUIs, Second Edition

by Kathy Walrath, Mary Campione, Alison Huml, Sharon Zakhour

February 2004

Intermediate to advanced

784 pages

16h 43m

English

Addison-Wesley Professional

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Copyright
The Java™ Series
The Jini™ Technology SeriesThe Java™ Series, Enterprise Edition
Preface
AcknowledgmentsAbout the Authors
Before You Start
1. Getting Started with Swing
About the JFC and SwingWhich Releases Contain the Swing API?Which Swing Packages Should I Use?Compiling and Running Swing ProgramsInstall the Latest Release of the Java 2 PlatformCreate a Program That Uses Swing ComponentsCompile the ProgramRun the ProgramSolarisMicrosoft WindowsRunning Programs Using Java Web StartQuestions and ExercisesQuestionsExercisesAnswersExample Programs
2. Learning Swing by Example
Example One: Your First Swing ProgramExample Two: SwingApplicationLook and FeelSetting up Buttons and LabelsAdding Components to ContainersAdding Borders around ComponentsHandling EventsExample Three: CelsiusConverterExample Four: An Improved CelsiusConverterAdding HTMLAdding an IconSetting the Default ButtonCreating a Formatted Text FieldExample Five: LunarPhasesUsing Layout ManagersCompound BordersCombo BoxesHandling Events on a Combo BoxMultiple ImagesExample Six: VoteDialogRadio ButtonsDialogsSummaryQuestions and ExercisesQuestionsExercisesAnswersExample Programs
3. Using Swing Components
A Visual Index to Swing ComponentsUsing HTML in Swing ComponentsExample One: HtmlDemoExample Two: ButtonHtmlDemoUsing Top-Level ContainersTop-Level Containers and Containment HierarchiesAdding Components to the Content PaneAdding a Menu BarThe Root Pane (The Missing Details)Using ModelsAn Example: ConverterFor More InformationThe JComponent ClassJComponent FeaturesTool TipsBordersApplication-Wide Pluggable Look and FeelCustom PropertiesSupport for LayoutSupport for AccessibilitySupport for Drag and DropDouble BufferingKey BindingsThe JComponent APIUsing Text ComponentsText Component FeaturesAssociating Text Actions with Menus and ButtonsAssociating Text Actions with KeystrokesImplementing Undo and RedoPart 1: Remembering Undoable EditsPart 2: Implementing the Undo and Redo CommandsConcepts: About DocumentsImplementing a Document FilterListening for Changes on a DocumentListening for Caret and Selection ChangesConcepts: About Editor KitsDefaultEditorKitStyledEditorKitHTMLEditorKitRTFEditorKitThe Text Component APISummaryQuestions and ExercisesQuestionsExercisesAnswersExample Programs
4. Laying Out Components within a Container
A Visual Guide to Layout ManagersBorderLayoutBoxLayoutCardLayoutFlowLayoutGridBagLayoutGridLayoutSpringLayoutUsing Layout ManagersSetting the Layout ManagerAdding Components to a ContainerProviding Size and Alignment HintsPutting Space between ComponentsThe layout managerInvisible componentsEmpty bordersSetting the Container's OrientationChoosing a Layout ManagerScenario: You need to display a component in as much space as it can get.Scenario: You need to display a few components in a compact row at their natural size.Scenario: You need to display a few components of the same size in rows and columns.Scenario: You need to display a few components in a row or column, possibly with varying amounts of space between them, custom alignment, or custom component sizes.Scenario: You need to display aligned columns, as in a form-like interface where a column of labels is used to describe text fields in an adjacent column.Scenario: You have a complex layout with many components.How Layout Management WorksCreating a Custom Layout Managervoid addLayoutComponent(String, Component)void removeLayoutComponent(Component)Dimension preferredLayoutSize(Container)Dimension minimumLayoutSize(Container)void layoutContainer(Container)Doing without a Layout Manager (Absolute Positioning)SummaryQuestions and ExercisesQuestionsExercisesAnswersExample Programs
5. Writing Event Listeners
Some Event-Handling ExamplesMultiple Listeners ExampleGeneral Information about Writing Event ListenersDesign ConsiderationsGetting Event Information: Event ObjectsConcepts: Low-Level Events and Semantic EventsEvent AdaptersInner Classes and Anonymous Inner ClassesThe EventHandler ClassListeners Supported by Swing ComponentsListeners That All Swing Components Supportcomponent listenerfocus listenerkey listenermouse listenermouse-motion listenermouse-wheel listener (introduced in 1.4)property-change listenerOther Listeners That Swing Components SupportListener API TableSummaryQuestions and ExercisesQuestionsExercisesAnswersExample Programs
6. Performing Custom Painting
How Swing Components Are DisplayedHow Painting HappensThe Swing Painting MethodsAn Example of PaintingRepainting Transparent ComponentsIntroduction to Painting ConceptsThe Coordinate SystemThe Graphics Object and Graphics2DImplementing a Custom ComponentAn Example of Custom PaintingSummaryQuestions and ExercisesQuestionsExercisesAnswersExample Programs

7. Components Reference
How to Make AppletsFeatures Provided by JAppletThreads in AppletsUsing Images in a Swing AppletEmbedding an Applet in an HTML PageThe JApplet APIApplet ExamplesHow to Use ButtonsHow to Use the Common Button APIHow to Use JButton FeaturesThe Button APIExamples That Use ButtonsHow to Use Check BoxesThe Check Box APIExamples That Use Check BoxesHow to Use Color ChoosersAnother Example: ColorChooserDemo2Showing a Color Chooser in a DialogRemoving or Replacing the Preview PanelCreating a Custom Chooser Panelvoid buildChooser()void updateChooser()String getDisplayName()Icon getSmallDisplayIcon()Icon getLargeDisplayIcon()The Color Chooser APIExamples That Use Color ChoosersHow to Use Combo BoxesUsing an Uneditable Combo BoxHandling Events on a Combo BoxUsing an Editable Combo BoxProviding a Custom RendererThe Combo Box APIExamples That Use Combo BoxesHow to Make DialogsAn Overview of DialogsThe DialogDemo ExampleJOptionPane FeaturesCreating and Showing Simple DialogsshowMessageDialogshowOptionDialogJOptionPane (constructor)Component parentComponentObject messageString titleint optionTypeint messageTypeIcon iconObject[] optionsObject initialValueCustomizing Button TextGetting the User's Input from a DialogStopping Automatic Dialog ClosingThe Dialog APIExamples That Use DialogsHow to Use Editor Panes and Text PanesUsing an Editor Pane to Display Text from a URLEditor Panes versus Text PanesAn Example of Using a Text PaneThe Editor Pane and Text Pane APIExamples That Use Editor Panes and Text PanesHow to Use File ChoosersExample One: FileChooserDemoExample Two: FileChooserDemo2Using a File Chooser for a Custom TaskFiltering the List of FilesBuilt-in FilteringApplication-Controlled FilteringUser-Choosable FilteringCustomizing the File ViewString getTypeDescription(File f)Icon getIcon(File f)String getName(File f)String getDescription(File f)Boolean isTraversable(File f)Providing an Accessory ComponentThe File Chooser APIExamples That Use File ChoosersHow to Use Formatted Text FieldsCreating and Initializing Formatted Text FieldsSetting and Getting the Field's ValueSpecifying FormatsUsing MaskFormatterSpecifying Formatters and Using Formatter FactoriesUse the JFormattedTextField constructor that takes a Format argument.Use the JFormattedTextField constructor that takes a JFormattedTextField. AbstractFormatter argument.Set the value of a formatted text field that has no format, formatter, or formatter factory specified.Make the formatted text field use a formatter factory that returns customized formatter objects.The Formatted Text Field APIExamples That Use Formatted Text FieldsHow to Make Frames (Main Windows)Creating and Showing FramesSpecifying Window DecorationsResponding to Window-Closing EventsDO_NOTHING_ON_CLOSEHIDE_ON_CLOSE (the default for JDialog and JFrame)DISPOSE_ON_CLOSE (the default for JInternalFrame)EXIT_ON_CLOSE (defined in the JFrame class)The Frame APIExamples That Use FramesHow to Use Internal FramesInternal Frames versus Regular FramesRules of Using Internal FramesYou must set the size of the internal frame.As a rule, you should set the location of the internal frame.To add components to an internal frame, add them to its content pane.Dialogs that are internal frames should be implemented using JOptionPane or JInternalFrame, not JDialog.You must add an internal frame to a container.You need to call show or setVisible on internal frames.Internal frames fire internal frame events, not window events.The Internal Frame APIExamples That Use Internal FramesHow to Use LabelsThe Label APIExamples That Use LabelsHow to Use Layered PanesAdding Components and Setting Component DepthSetting a Component's Position within Its DepthLaying Out Components in a Layered PaneThe Layered Pane APIExamples That Use Layered PanesHow to Use ListsInitializing a ListSelecting Items in a ListAdding Items to and Removing Items from a ListWriting a Custom Cell RendererThe List APIExamples That Use ListsHow to Use MenusThe Menu Component HierarchyCreating MenusHandling Events from Menu ItemsEnabling Keyboard OperationBringing up a Popup MenuCustomizing Menu LayoutThe Menu APIExamples That Use MenusHow to Use PanelsAn ExampleSetting the Layout ManagerAdding ComponentsThe Panel APIExamples That Use PanelsHow to Use Password FieldsThe Password Field APIExamples That Use Password FieldsHow to Use Progress BarsJProgressBarProgressMonitorProgressMonitorInputStreamUsing Determinate Progress BarsUsing Indeterminate ModeUsing Progress MonitorsDeciding Whether to Use a Progress Bar or a Progress MonitorThe Progress Monitoring APIExamples That Monitor ProgressHow to Use Radio ButtonsThe Radio Button APIExamples That Use Radio ButtonsHow to Use Root PanesThe Glass PaneThe Layered PaneThe Content PaneThe Optional Menu BarThe Glass PaneThe Layered PaneThe Root Pane APIExamples That Use Root PanesHow to Use Scroll PanesHow a Scroll Pane WorksSetting the Scroll Bar PolicyProviding Custom DecorationsImplementing a Scrolling-Savvy ClientSizing a Scroll PaneDynamically Changing the Client's SizeThe Scroll Pane APIExamples That Use Scroll PanesHow to Use SeparatorsUsing JSeparatorThe Separator APIExamples That Use SeparatorsHow to Use SlidersCustomizing Labels on a SliderUsing a Formatted Text Field with a SliderThe Slider APIExamples That Use SlidersHow to Use SpinnersUsing Standard Spinner Models and EditorsSpinnerListModelSpinnerNumberModelSpinnerDateModelSpecifying Spinner FormattingCreating Custom Spinner Models and EditorsDetecting Spinner Value ChangesThe Spinner APIExamples That Use SpinnersHow to Use Split PanesSetting the Components in a Split PanePositioning the Divider and Restricting Its RangeNesting Split PanesThe Split Pane APIExamples That Use Split PanesHow to Use Tabbed PanesThe Tabbed Pane APIExamples That Use Tabbed PanesHow to Use TablesCreating a Simple TableAdding a Table to a ContainerSetting and Changing Column WidthsAUTO_RESIZE_SUBSEQUENT_COLUMNSAUTO_RESIZE_NEXT_COLUMNAUTO_RESIZE_OFFDetecting User SelectionsCreating a Table ModelDetecting Data ChangesConcepts: Editors and RenderersUsing a Combo Box as an EditorUsing an Editor to Validate User-Entered TextUsing Other EditorsUsing Custom RenderersSpecifying Tool Tips for CellsSpecifying Tool Tips for Column HeadersSorting and Otherwise Manipulating DataThe Table APIExamples That Use TablesHow to Use Text AreasCustomizing Text AreasThe Text Area APIExamples That Use Text AreasHow to Use Text FieldsThe Text Field APIExamples That Use Text FieldsHow to Use Tool BarsCreating Tool-Bar ButtonsCustomizing Tool BarsThe Tool Bar APIExamples That Use Tool BarsHow to Use Tool TipsThe Tool-Tip APIExamples That Use Tool TipsHow to Use TreesCreating a TreeResponding to Node SelectionCustomizing a Tree's DisplayDynamically Changing a TreeCreating a Data ModelThe Tree APIExamples That Use Trees
8. Layout Manager Reference
How to Use BorderLayoutThe BorderLayout APIExamples That Use BorderLayoutHow to Use BoxLayoutBoxLayout FeaturesUsing Invisible Components as FillerRigid AreaGlueCustom Box.FillerFixing Alignment ProblemsSpecifying Component SizesThe Box Layout APIExamples That Use Box LayoutsHow to Use CardLayoutThe CardLayout APIExamples That Use CardLayoutHow to Use FlowLayoutThe FlowLayout APIExamples That Use FlowLayoutHow to Use GridBagLayoutSpecifying Constraintsgridx, gridygridwidth, gridheightfillipadx, ipadyinsetsanchorweightx, weightyThe Example ExplainedThe GridBagLayout APIExamples That Use GridBagLayoutHow to Use GridLayoutThe GridLayout APIExamples That Use GridLayoutHow to Use SpringLayoutHow Spring Layouts WorkExample: SpringDemoSprings and Component SizeAlternative ExpressionsUtility Methods for GridsThe SpringLayout APIExamples That Use SpringLayout
9. Other Swing Features Reference
How to Use ActionsThe Action APIExamples That Use ActionsHow to Support Assistive TechnologiesRules for Supporting AccessibilityTesting for AccessibilitySetting Accessible Names and Descriptions on ComponentsHow Accessibility WorksMaking Custom Components AccessibleThe Accessibility APIExamples That Use the Accessibility APIHow to Use BordersThe BorderDemo ExampleUsing the Borders Provided by SwingCreating Custom BordersThe Border APIExamples That Use BordersHow to Use Drag and Drop and Data TransferA Visual Guide to Drag-and-Drop Cursor IconsIntroduction to Data Transfer SupportA Simple Example: Adding DnD to JLabelExtending Default DnD SupportSpecifying the Data FormatImporting a New Flavor: ColorReplacing Default Support: Color and TextImporting a New Flavor: FilesData Transfer with a Custom ComponentData Transfer with a Custom DataFlavorAdding Cut/Copy/Paste SupportThe Data Transfer APIExamples That Use Data TransferHow to Use the Focus SubsystemIntroduction to the Focus SubsystemValidating InputMaking a Custom Component FocusableCustomizing Focus TraversalTracking Focus Changes to Multiple ComponentsTiming Focus TransfersThe Focus APIExamples That Use FocusHow to Use IconsA More Complex Image Icon ExampleLoading Images Using getResourceLoading Images into AppletsImproving Perceived Performance When Loading Image IconsProviding Dimmed IconsLazy Image LoadingBackground Image LoadingStatus UpdatesCachingCreating a Custom Icon ImplementationThe Image Icon APIExamples That Use IconsHow to Use Key BindingsHow Key Bindings WorkHow to Make and Remove Key BindingsThe Key Binding APIExamples That Use IconsHow to Set the Look and FeelProgrammatically Setting the Look and FeelUIManager.getCrossPlatformLookAndFeelClassName()UIManager.getSystemLookAndFeelClassName()"com.sun.java.swing.plaf.gtk.GTKLookAndFeel""javax.swing.plaf.metal.MetalLookAndFeel""com.sun.java.swing.plaf.windows.WindowsLookAndFeel""com.sun.java.swing.plaf.motif.MotifLookAndFeel"Specifying the Look and Feel: Command LineSpecifying the Look and Feel: swing.propertiesHow the UI Manager Chooses the Look and FeelChanging the Look and Feel after StartupHow to Use ThreadsThe Event-Dispatching ThreadUsing the invokeLater MethodUsing the invokeAndWait MethodUsing Threads to Improve PerformanceUsing the SwingWorker ClassHow to Use TimersThe Timer APIExamples That Use Timers
10. Event Listeners Reference
How to Write an Action ListenerThe Action Listener APIExamples That Use Action ListenersHow to Write a Caret ListenerThe Caret Listener APIExamples That Use Caret ListenersHow to Write a Change ListenerThe Change Listener APIExamples That Use Change ListenersHow to Write a Component ListenerThe Component Listener APIExamples That Use Component ListenersHow to Write a Container ListenerThe Container Listener APIExamples That Use Container ListenersHow to Write a Document ListenerThe Document Listener APIExamples That Use Document ListenersHow to Write a Focus ListenerThe Focus Listener APIExamples That Use Focus ListenersHow to Write an Internal Frame ListenerThe Internal Frame Listener APIExamples That Use Internal Frame ListenersHow to Write an Item ListenerThe Item Listener APIExamples That Use Item ListenersHow to Write a Key ListenerThe Key Listener APIExamples That Use Key ListenersHow to Write a List Data ListenerThe List Data Listener APIExamples That Use List Data ListenersHow to Write a List Selection ListenerThe List Selection Listener APIExamples That Use List Selection ListenersHow to Write a Mouse ListenerThe Mouse Listener APIExamples That Use Mouse ListenersHow to Write a Mouse-Motion ListenerThe Mouse-Motion Listener APIExamples That Use Mouse-Motion ListenersHow to Write a Mouse Wheel ListenerThe Mouse Wheel Listener APIExamples That Use Mouse Wheel ListenersHow to Write a Property-Change ListenerThe Property-Change Listener APIExamples That Use Property-Change ListenersHow to Write a Table Model ListenerThe Table Model Listener APIExamples That Use Table Model ListenersHow to Write a Tree Expansion ListenerThe Tree Expansion Listener APIExamples That Use Tree Expansion ListenersHow to Write a Tree Model ListenerThe Tree Model Listener APIExamples That Use Tree Model ListenersHow to Write a Tree Selection ListenerDISCONTIGUOUS_TREE_SELECTIONSINGLE_TREE_SELECTIONCONTIGUOUS_TREE_SELECTIONThe Tree Selection Listener APIExamples That Use Tree Selection ListenersHow to Write a Tree-Will-Expand ListenerThe Tree-Will-Expand Listener APIExamples That Use Tree-Will-Expand ListenersHow to Write an Undoable Edit ListenerThe Undoable Edit Listener APIExamples That Use Undoable Edit ListenersHow to Write Window ListenersThe Window Listener APIExamples That Use Window Listeners
Troubleshooting Reference
Java Web Start TroubleshootingSolving Common Component ProblemsSolving Common Layout ProblemsSolving Common Event-Handling ProblemsSolving Common Painting ProblemsSolving Common Problems Using Other Swing Features
The JFC Swing Tutorial CD
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Overview

The JFC Swing Tutorial is back, fully revised and updated to include the latest revisions to the JFC Swing API and the Java™ 2 platform. In this book, authors and Java experts Kathy Walrath, Mary Campione, Alison Huml, and Sharon Zakhour—working closely with the Sun Microsystems Swing team—explore the ins and outs of creating GUIs with Swing components.

This task-oriented, example-driven tutorial allows you to create user interfaces that work without change on multiple platforms, appearing and performing as well as or better than native interfaces. Leveraging the full power of the latest edition of the Java 2 platform, the authors bring the art of GUI creation to life with content new to this edition. This includes an easy-to-use tabbed reference section, new introductory chapters, and coverage of newer features such as JSpinner, JFormattedTextField, JProgressBar, mouse wheel support, the rearchitected focus subsystem, and improved support for drag and drop.

Coverage includes:

Introductory material for developers getting started with Swing, including sections on basic components such as text fields, labels, and buttons, as well as on using images

The latest advice from the Swing team about thread safety

Advanced Swing material, including changing key bindings, manipulating the focus, using data models, and adding painting code that uses the powerful Java 2D™ API

How-to discussions on using individual components and containers, including advanced components such as tables, trees, and text editors

Over 150 complete, working code examples

For the novice or experienced Java developer looking to create robust, powerful, and visually stunning GUIs, The JFC Swing Tutorial, Second Edition, is an indispensable tutorial and reference.

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