Creating a GUI with JFC/Swing: Table of Contents

Note: This trail features the Swing components, not the AWT components. If you're only interested in the AWT components, then please download the old UI trail, Creating a User Interface (AWT Only). For more information, see About the JFC and Swing.

Getting Started with Swing

About the JFC and Swing
Compiling and Running Swing Programs

Compiling and Running Swing Programs (JDK 1.2)
Compiling and Running Swing Programs (JDK 1.1)

Running Swing Applets
A Quick Tour of a Swing Application's Code

Swing Features and Concepts

Swing Components and the Containment Hierarchy
Layout Management
Event Handling
Painting
Threads and Swing
More Swing Features
The Anatomy of a Swing-Based Program

Using Swing Components

A Visual Index to the Swing Components
The JComponent Class
Making Top-Level Containers

How to Make Frames
How to Make Dialogs
How to Make Applets

Using Intermediate Swing Containers

How to Use Panels
How to Use Scroll Panes
How to Use Split Panes
How to Use Tabbed Panes
How to Use Tool Bars
How to Use Internal Frames
How to Use Layered Panes
How to Use Root Panes

Using Atomic Components

How to Use Buttons, Check Boxes, and Radio Buttons
How to Use Color Choosers
How to Use Combo Boxes
How to Use File Choosers
How to Use Labels
How to Use Lists
How to Use Menus
How to Monitor Progress
How to Use Sliders
How to Use Tables
Using Swing's Text Components

An Example of Using Each Text Component
General Rules for Using Text Components
How to Use Text Fields
How to Use Editor Panes and Text Panes
Summary of Text

How to Use Tool Tips
How to Use Trees

Solving Common Component Problems

Using Other Swing Features

How to Use Actions
How to Support Assistive Technologies
How to Use Borders
How to Use Icons
How to Set the Look and Feel
How to Use Threads
How to Use Timers
Solving Common Problems

Laying Out Components Within a Container

Using Layout Managers

General Rules for Using Layout Managers
How to Use BorderLayout
How to Use BoxLayout
How to Use CardLayout
How to Use FlowLayout
How to Use GridLayout
How to Use GridBagLayout

Specifying Constraints
The Example Explained

Creating a Custom Layout Manager
Doing Without a Layout Manager (Absolute Positioning)
Solving Common Layout Problems

Writing Event Listeners

A Few, Simple Event-Handling Examples
General Rules for Writing Event Listeners
Events Generated by Swing Components
Handling Common Events

How to Write an Action Listener
How to Write a Caret Listener
How to Write a Change Listener
How to Write a Component Listener
How to Write a Container Listener
How to Write a Document Listener
How to Write a Focus Listener
How to Write an Internal Frame Listener
How to Write an Item Listener
How to Write a Key Listener
How to Write a List Selection Listener
How to Write a Mouse Listener
How to Write a Mouse-Motion Listener
How to Write an Undoable Edit Listener
How to Write a Window Listener

Solving Common Event-Handling Problems

Working with Graphics

Overview of Custom Painting
Using Graphics Primitives

Drawing Simple Shapes
Working with Text

Using Images

Loading Images
Displaying Images

Performing Animation

Creating the Animation Loop
Moving an Image Across the Screen
Displaying a Sequence of Images
Improving the Appearance and Performance of Image Animation

Solving Common Graphics Problems

Converting to Swing

Why Should I Convert to Swing?
How Do I Convert My Programs to Swing?
Conversion Resources

Swing Replacements for AWT Components
General Conversion Tips
Component-Specific Conversion Tips
Some Conversion Examples
Solving Common Conversion Problems