Java Manual: Components

Components

The basic idea in creating a GUI is to start with the components, add the container(s), then decide upon the layout. See the chapters on the last two items for additional information. Some examples are presented in the GUIs chapter.

Java relies heavily on inheritance and interfaces. In order to understand the concepts it is useful to consider the hierarchy. An abbreviated package structure is presented below. A dotted line indicates inheritance. Note that only a partial listing of classes (those used in this course)

are listed.

Note that since javax Components inherit from java containers, javax Components are also Containers. This allows the user to create some very sophisticated arrangements.

A summary of uses-capabilities is also provided at the bottom of the page.

Java Component	Description
Button	A graphical push button
Canvas	A component that displays a blank canvas, allowing a program to display custom graphics.
Component	The base class for all AWT and Swing components. Defines many basic methods inherited by all components.
Label	Displays a single line of read-only text. Does not respond to user input in any way.
Scrollbar	A graphical scrollbar
TextArea	Displays multiple lines of text and allows the user to edit the text.
TextComponent	The base class for both TextArea and TextField.
TextField	Displays a single line of plain text and allows the user to edit the text.

Javax Component	Description
JButton	A push button that can display text, images, or both.
JCheckBox	A toggle button for displaying choices that are not mutually exclusive
JComboBox	A combination of a text entry field and a drop-down list of choices. The user can type a selection or choose one from the list.
JComponent	The root of the Swing component hierarchy. Adds Swing-specific features.
JLabel	A simple component that displays text, an image, or both. Does not respond to input.
JList	Allows a selectable list of choices.
JOptionPane	Component suitable for displaying simple dialog boxes.
JRadioButton	Toggle button for displaying mutually exclusive choices.
JScrollBar	Horizontal or vertical scroll bar.
JSlider	A component that simulates a slider. Allow the user to select a numeric value by dragging a knob.
JTextArea	Component for displaying and editing multiple lines of plain text.
JTextField	Component for the display, input, and editing of a single line of plain text.

Components

The basic idea in creating a GUI is to start with the components, add the container(s), then decide upon the layout. See the chapters on the last two items for additional information. Some examples are presented in the GUIs chapter.

Java relies heavily on inheritance and interfaces. In order to understand the concepts it is useful to consider the hierarchy. An abbreviated package structure is presented below. A dotted line indicates inheritance. Note that only a partial listing of classes (those used in this course)

are listed.

Note that since javax Components inherit from java containers, javax Components are also Containers. This allows the user to create some very sophisticated arrangements.

A summary of uses-capabilities is also provided at the bottom of the page.

Java Component

Description

Button

A graphical push button

Canvas

A component that displays a blank canvas, allowing a program to display custom graphics.

Component

The base class for all AWT and Swing components. Defines many basic methods inherited by all components.

Label

Displays a single line of read-only text. Does not respond to user input in any way.

Scrollbar

A graphical scrollbar

TextArea

Displays multiple lines of text and allows the user to edit the text.

TextComponent

The base class for both TextArea and TextField.

TextField

Displays a single line of plain text and allows the user to edit the text.

Javax Component

Description

JButton

A push button that can display text, images, or both.

JCheckBox

A toggle button for displaying choices that are not mutually exclusive

JComboBox

A combination of a text entry field and a drop-down list of choices. The user can type a selection or choose one from the list.

JComponent

The root of the Swing component hierarchy. Adds Swing-specific features.

JLabel

A simple component that displays text, an image, or both. Does not respond to input.

JList

Allows a selectable list of choices.

JOptionPane

Component suitable for displaying simple dialog boxes.

JRadioButton

Toggle button for displaying mutually exclusive choices.

JScrollBar

Horizontal or vertical scroll bar.

JSlider

A component that simulates a slider. Allow the user to select a numeric value by dragging a knob.

JTextArea

Component for displaying and editing multiple lines of plain text.

JTextField

Component for the display, input, and editing of a single line of plain text.