Graphical User Interfaces - Building Java Programs: A Back to Basics Approach - page 819

Chapter 14
Graphical User Interfaces

Introduction

14.1 GUI Basics

Graphical Input and Output
with Option Panes

In this chapter we will explore the creation of graphical user interfaces
(GUIs).Although console programs like the ones we have written in the
preceding chapters are still very important, the majority of modern desk-
top applications have graphical user interfaces. Supplement 3G introduced
a DrawingPanel class that allowed you to draw two-dimensional graph-
ics on the screen.This class is useful for certain applications, but writing a
GUI is not the same as drawing shapes and lines onto a canvas. A real
graphical user interface includes window frames which you create that
contain buttons, text input fields, and other onscreen components.

Working with Frames

Buttons, Text Fields, and Labels

Changing a Frame's Layout

Handling an Event

14.2 Laying Out Components

Layout Managers

Composite Layouts

14.3 Interaction between
Components

Example 1: BMI GUI

A major part of creating a graphical user interface in Java is figuring out
how to position and lay out the components of the user interface to
match the appearance you desire. Once you have chosen and laid out
these components, you must make the events interactive by making them
respond to various user events such as button clicks or mouse move-
ments.There are many predefined components, but you can also define
components that draw custom two-dimensional graphics, including anima-
tions. At the end of this chapter, we will reimplement a basic version of
the DrawingPanel class from Supplement 3G.

Object-Oriented GUIs

Example 2: Credit Card GUI

14.4 Additional Components
and Events

Text Areas, Scrollbars, and Fonts

Icons

Mouse Events

14.5 Two-Dimensional
Graphics

Drawing onto Panels

Animation with Timers

14.6 Case Study: Implementing
DrawingPanel

Initial Version without Events

Second Version with Events

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