Develop Reference

How to refresh JInternalFrame or JPanel form on button click where JPanel is a separate class and used in JInternalFrame

Iam trying to build a desktop application with multiple screens inside one single JFrame.
So each button click event will take us to the separate screen with refreshed components in the screen. So far this approach is working for me but the problem I am facing is even after using ".dispose(), .repaint(), .revalidate(), .invalidate()" functions. JInternalFrame or Jpanel seems to not refresh its components.
Which works something like below gif.
Tabbed Style
I do know JtabbedPane exists but for my method JtabbedPane is not viable.
Below I am posting minified code by replicating the problem I am facing.
MainMenu.Java(file with Main Class)
package test;
import java.awt.EventQueue;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.border.EmptyBorder;
import java.awt.GridLayout;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JScrollPane;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import javax.swing.JInternalFrame;
public class MainMenu extends JFrame {
private JPanel contentPane;
public static void main(String[] args) {
EventQueue.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
public void run() {
try {
MainMenu frame = new MainMenu();
frame.setVisible(true);
} catch (Exception e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
});
}
public MainMenu() {
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
setBounds(100, 100, 841, 522);
contentPane = new JPanel();
contentPane.setBorder(new EmptyBorder(5, 5, 5, 5));
setContentPane(contentPane);
contentPane.setLayout(null);
JPanel panel = new JPanel();
panel.setBounds(10, 10, 807, 63);
contentPane.add(panel);
panel.setLayout(new GridLayout(1, 0, 0, 0));
JButton Tab1 = new JButton("Tab1");
panel.add(Tab1);
JButton Tab2 = new JButton("Tab2");
panel.add(Tab2);
JScrollPane scrollPane = new JScrollPane();
scrollPane.setBounds(10, 88, 807, 387);
contentPane.add(scrollPane);
JInternalFrame internalFrame1 = new JInternalFrame();
JInternalFrame internalFrame2 = new JInternalFrame();
Tab1.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
Panel1 panel1 = new Panel1();
if(internalFrame1 !=null) {
internalFrame1.dispose();
panel1.invalidate();
panel1.revalidate();
panel1.repaint();
}
internalFrame1.setTitle("Panel 1");
scrollPane.setViewportView(internalFrame1);
internalFrame1.getContentPane().add(panel1);
internalFrame1.setVisible(true);
}
});
Tab2.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
Panel2 panel2 = new Panel2();
if(internalFrame2 !=null) {
internalFrame2.dispose();
panel2.invalidate();
panel2.revalidate();
panel2.repaint();
}
internalFrame2.setTitle("Panel 2");
scrollPane.setViewportView(internalFrame2);
internalFrame2.getContentPane().add(panel2);
internalFrame2.setVisible(true);
}
});
}
}
and the corresponding Jpanel class files where JInternal Frames
Panel1.java
package test;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.JTextField;
import javax.swing.JButton;
public class Panel1 extends JPanel {
private JTextField textField;
/**
* Create the panel.
*/
public Panel1() {
setLayout(null);
textField = new JTextField();
textField.setBounds(10, 60, 430, 19);
add(textField);
textField.setColumns(10);
JButton btnNewButton = new JButton("Example Button");
btnNewButton.setBounds(10, 156, 430, 21);
add(btnNewButton);
}
}
Panel2.java
package test;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.JTextField;
import javax.swing.JButton;
public class Panel2 extends JPanel {
private JTextField textField;
/**
* Create the panel.
*/
public Panel2() {
setLayout(null);
textField = new JTextField();
textField.setBounds(10, 60, 430, 19);
add(textField);
textField.setColumns(10);
JButton btnNewButton = new JButton("New button2");
btnNewButton.setBounds(21, 157, 419, 21);
add(btnNewButton);
}
}
P.S: This is my first time asking question in Stackoverflow so forgive me and if possible guide me if i miss anything
Thank you :)
Edit:
The problem I am facing is on the surface it looks like the Jpanel has been refreshed but the components like JtextField Still hides the previously written text in it and only show the text when i click on that JTextField
Below I am Attaching another gif which show highlights the issue. I have highlighted the part where I am facing issue.
Issue I am Facing

The dispose() method does not remove components so you keep adding components to the internal frame when you use the following:
internalFrame1.getContentPane().add(panel1);
Instead you might do something like:
Container contentPane = internalFrame1.getContentPane();
contentPane.removeAll();
contentPane.add( panel1 );
contentPane.revalidate();
contentPane.repaint();

You can use the JPanels in the Jframes and then use the CardLayout to change the panel ( which could than act like the different screens )

Using an event to do something in another class in Java

based on my understanding,
`list_1.addListSelectionListener(new ListSelectionListener() {
public void valueChanged(ListSelectionEvent evt) {
}}
will do something when something in the list was selected, and
button.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent arg0) {
do something when the button have been pushed.
I want to write a code to delete the selected item from one list and add it to another one.
I can't use Jlist methods because it is not in the scope of button.
I am not sure how to do it. and I can't find something that solve my problem on net or books.
Thank you so much
import java.awt.EventQueue;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import java.awt.BorderLayout;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import javax.swing.JMenuBar;
import javax.swing.JMenuItem;
import javax.swing.JMenu;
import javax.swing.JList;
import java.awt.GridLayout;
import javax.swing.JSplitPane;
import java.awt.Component;
import javax.swing.Box;
import java.awt.Dimension;
import javax.swing.JSeparator;
import java.awt.Panel;
import java.awt.List;
import javax.swing.JToolBar;
import javax.swing.SwingConstants;
import javax.swing.event.ListSelectionEvent;
import javax.swing.event.ListSelectionListener;
import java.awt.Color;
import java.awt.Font;
public class Window {
private JFrame frame;
public static void main(String[] args) {
EventQueue.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
public void run() {
try {
Window window = new Window();
window.frame.setVisible(true);
} catch (Exception e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
});
}
/**
* Create the application. This is the constructor for this Window class.
* All of the code here will be executed as soon as a Window object is made.
*/
public Window() {
initialize();
}
/**
* Initialize the contents of the frame. This is where Window Builder
* will generate its code.
*/
public void initialize() {
//creates an array for the list of components
String pclist[]={"case","moderboard","CPU","GPU","PSU","RAM","HDD"};
frame = new JFrame();
frame.setBounds(100, 100, 600, 600);
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
JMenuBar menuBar = new JMenuBar();
frame.setJMenuBar(menuBar);
JMenu mnFile = new JMenu("File");
menuBar.add(mnFile);
JMenuItem mntmLoad = new JMenuItem("Load");
mnFile.add(mntmLoad);
JMenuItem mntmSave = new JMenuItem("Save");
mnFile.add(mntmSave);
JMenuItem mntmExit = new JMenuItem("Exit");
mnFile.add(mntmExit);
frame.getContentPane().setLayout(null);
JButton button = new JButton(">>");
button.setBounds(244, 170, 82, 36);
button.setFont(new Font("Tahoma", Font.BOLD, 15));
frame.getContentPane().add(button);
JButton button_1 = new JButton("<<");
button_1.setBounds(244, 219, 82, 36);
button_1.setFont(new Font("Tahoma", Font.BOLD, 15));
frame.getContentPane().add(button_1);
JPanel panel = new JPanel();
panel.setBounds(0, 0, 205, 493);
panel.setBackground(Color.WHITE);
frame.getContentPane().add(panel);
panel.setLayout(null);
JList list = new JList();// implements ActionListener;
list.setBounds(0, 0, 205, 493);
list.setListData(pclist); //populate the Jlist
list.setFont(new Font("Tahoma", Font.BOLD, 18));
panel.add(list);
JPanel panel_1 = new JPanel();
panel_1.setBounds(358, 0, 212, 493);
panel_1.setBackground(Color.WHITE);
frame.getContentPane().add(panel_1);
panel_1.setLayout(null);
JList list_1 = new JList();
list_1.setBounds(203, 0, -200, 480);
list_1.setSelectedIndex(0);
list_1.setFont(new Font("Tahoma", Font.BOLD, 18));
panel_1.add(list_1);
button.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent arg0) {
//list_1.addElement("hi");
System.out.println("hoi");
}
});
list.addListSelectionListener(new ListSelectionListener(){
public void valueChanged(ListSelectionEvent arg0) {
}});
list_1.addListSelectionListener(new ListSelectionListener() {
public void valueChanged(ListSelectionEvent arg0) {
}
}
);
}
}

Start by making your JLists instance variables
public class Window {
private JFrame frame;
private JList list;
private JList list_1;
Make sure you're initialising the instance variables and not creating new local variables...
//JList list = new JList();// implements ActionListener;
list = new JList();// implements ActionListener;
//...
panel.add(list);
//JList list_1 = new JList();
list_1 = new JList();
//...
panel_1.add(list_1);
This now means that the JLists are accessible from within the context of an instance of the class...
Then in your ActionListeners, you can simple do something like...
Object selected = list.getSelectedValue();
or...
int index = list.getSelectedIndex();
You can then use these values to modify the state of the underlying ListModel...if it supports those operations...

Is it possible to open a Jmenu on button click in swing?

Is it possible to open a Jmenu on button click ? I have a button in Jtable and my requirement is that when user presses this button, a Jmenu should appear. So is this possible ?

Yes it is possible. You can by default hide the menus by menu.setVisible(false); method. And on click of button make it menu.setVisible(true);
JFrame frame = new JFrame("List of Metrics used");
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
frame.setContentPane(new ListModelExample());
frame.setSize(260, 200);
frame.setVisible(true);
First thing,these are not necessarily written in main method. And your problem of hiding menu doesn't affect by location of these lines. You can keep it as it is. Also render Jmenu at a required place only, but keep it invisible by default.

Do you want to display menuitem on a button click? Then use this code:
import java.awt.BorderLayout;
import java.awt.EventQueue;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.border.EmptyBorder;
import javax.swing.JMenuBar;
import javax.swing.JMenu;
import javax.swing.JMenuItem;
import javax.swing.JButton;
public class TestFrame extends JFrame {
private JPanel contentPane;
JMenu mnFile;
JMenuItem mntmExit;
/**
* Launch the application.
*/
public static void main(String[] args) {
EventQueue.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
public void run() {
try {
TestFrame frame = new TestFrame();
frame.setVisible(true);
} catch (Exception e) {
e.printStackTrace();
}
}
});
}
/**
* Create the frame.
*/
public TestFrame() {
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
setBounds(100, 100, 450, 300);
JMenuBar menuBar = new JMenuBar();
setJMenuBar(menuBar);
contentPane = new JPanel();
contentPane.setBorder(new EmptyBorder(5, 5, 5, 5));
contentPane.setLayout(new BorderLayout(0, 0));
setContentPane(contentPane);
JButton btnNewButton = new JButton("Click me");
contentPane.add(btnNewButton, BorderLayout.SOUTH);
mnFile = new JMenu("file");
menuBar.add(mnFile);
mntmExit = new JMenuItem("exit");
mnFile.add(mntmExit);
btnNewButton.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
mnFile.doClick();
}
});
}
}

Swing; How would I position my components in this format?

So, I would like my items to be positioned in the format below; I'm really not confident with positioning but would like to learn it a bit more. Here is the code as of yet:
package com.bleh.harry;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;
public class Main
{
private JMenuBar menuBar;
private JMenu fileMenu, windowMenu, helpMenu;
private JMenuItem fileNew, fileOpen, fileSave, windowTheme, windowLayout, windowProperties, helpWelcome, helpHelp, helpAbout;
private JTextArea mainTextArea;
public
Main()
{
JPanel mainCard = new JPanel(new BorderLayout(8,8));
JPanel mainTop = new JPanel(new FlowLayout(FlowLayout.CENTER));
menuBar = new JMenuBar();
fileMenu = new JMenu("File");
windowMenu = new JMenu("Window");
helpMenu = new JMenu("Help");
menuBar.add(fileMenu);
menuBar.add(windowMenu);
menuBar.add(helpMenu);
final CardLayout layout = new CardLayout(); //ADDS CARDS TO CONTAINER
final JPanel cards = new JPanel(layout);
cards.add(mainCard, "2");
mainCard.add(mainTop, BorderLayout.NORTH);
JFrame window = new JFrame("Pseudo code text editor");
window.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
window.getContentPane().add(cards);
window.setSize(1280, 720);
window.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
window.setVisible(true);
}
public static void main(String args[])
{
SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
new Main();
}
});
}
}

You could use a BorderLayout...
import java.awt.BorderLayout;
import java.awt.CardLayout;
import java.awt.Dimension;
import java.awt.FlowLayout;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JMenu;
import javax.swing.JMenuBar;
import javax.swing.JMenuItem;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.JScrollPane;
import javax.swing.JTabbedPane;
import javax.swing.JTextArea;
import javax.swing.SwingUtilities;
public class LayoutTest {
private JMenuBar menuBar;
private JMenu fileMenu, windowMenu, helpMenu;
private JMenuItem fileNew, fileOpen, fileSave, windowTheme, windowLayout, windowProperties, helpWelcome, helpHelp, helpAbout;
private JTextArea mainTextArea;
public LayoutTest() {
JPanel mainCard = new JPanel(new BorderLayout(8, 8));
menuBar = new JMenuBar();
fileMenu = new JMenu("File");
windowMenu = new JMenu("Window");
helpMenu = new JMenu("Help");
menuBar.add(fileMenu);
menuBar.add(windowMenu);
menuBar.add(helpMenu);
final CardLayout layout = new CardLayout();
final JPanel cards = new JPanel(layout);
cards.add(mainCard, "2");
JTabbedPane tabbedPane = new JTabbedPane();
tabbedPane.add("One", createPane());
tabbedPane.add("Two", createPane());
tabbedPane.add("Three", createPane());
tabbedPane.add("Four", createPane());
mainTextArea = new JTextArea(20, 40);
mainCard.add(tabbedPane, BorderLayout.WEST);
mainCard.add(new JScrollPane(mainTextArea));
JFrame window = new JFrame("Pseudo code text editor");
window.setJMenuBar(menuBar);
window.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
window.getContentPane().add(cards);
window.pack();
window.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
window.setVisible(true);
}
protected JPanel createPane() {
return new JPanel() {
#Override
public Dimension getPreferredSize() {
return new Dimension(200, 200);
}
};
}
public static void main(String args[]) {
SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
new LayoutTest();
}
});
}
}
The problem here, is the amount of space that the JTabbedPane wants is depended on it's content...
You could even try using a GridBagLayout which might give you a little more control...
import java.awt.CardLayout;
import java.awt.Dimension;
import java.awt.GridBagConstraints;
import java.awt.GridBagLayout;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JMenu;
import javax.swing.JMenuBar;
import javax.swing.JMenuItem;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.JScrollPane;
import javax.swing.JTabbedPane;
import javax.swing.JTextArea;
import javax.swing.SwingUtilities;
public class LayoutTest {
private JMenuBar menuBar;
private JMenu fileMenu, windowMenu, helpMenu;
private JMenuItem fileNew, fileOpen, fileSave, windowTheme, windowLayout, windowProperties, helpWelcome, helpHelp, helpAbout;
private JTextArea mainTextArea;
public LayoutTest() {
JPanel mainCard = new JPanel(new GridBagLayout());
menuBar = new JMenuBar();
fileMenu = new JMenu("File");
windowMenu = new JMenu("Window");
helpMenu = new JMenu("Help");
menuBar.add(fileMenu);
menuBar.add(windowMenu);
menuBar.add(helpMenu);
final CardLayout layout = new CardLayout(); //ADDS CARDS TO CONTAINER
final JPanel cards = new JPanel(layout);
cards.add(mainCard, "2");
JTabbedPane tabbedPane = new JTabbedPane();
tabbedPane.add("One", createPane());
tabbedPane.add("Two", createPane());
tabbedPane.add("Three", createPane());
tabbedPane.add("Four", createPane());
mainTextArea = new JTextArea(20, 40);
GridBagConstraints gbc = new GridBagConstraints();
gbc.fill = GridBagConstraints.BOTH;
gbc.weightx = 0.25;
gbc.weighty = 1;
mainCard.add(tabbedPane, gbc);
gbc.weightx = 0.75;
mainCard.add(new JScrollPane(mainTextArea), gbc);
JFrame window = new JFrame("Pseudo code text editor");
window.setJMenuBar(menuBar);
window.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
window.getContentPane().add(cards);
window.pack();
window.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
window.setVisible(true);
}
protected JPanel createPane() {
return new JPanel() {
#Override
public Dimension getPreferredSize() {
return new Dimension(200, 200);
}
};
}
public static void main(String args[]) {
SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
new LayoutTest();
}
});
}
}
Just remember, the JMenuBar belongs to the window ;)

To lay components out next to each other, I'd recommend using a BoxLayout. A BoxLayout takes an orientation parameter and lays components out accordingly. The two most used options are X_AXIS and Y_AXIS. X_AXIS lays things out left to right while Y_AXIS lays things out top to bottom. You want X_AXIS.
To set the layout with a BoxLayout using an instance of JFrame named window, do:
window.setLayout(new BoxLayout(window, BoxLayout.X_AXIS));

hidden labels/panels in java

Basically, i am trying to make it so there are 3 buttons on the bottom of the screen and then have a label which has words in it in the middle of the screen. However, i cant seem to have both buttons and the label in the GUI at the same time. I am a beginner and dont know much about layouts (even though i have read into them) so any help/guidance would be helpful on why i cannot see both the label and the buttons.enter code here
import java.awt.Dimension;
import java.awt.Insets;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
import javax.swing.Box;
import javax.swing.BoxLayout;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JLabel;
import javax.swing.JMenu;
import javax.swing.JMenuBar;
import javax.swing.JMenuItem;
import javax.swing.JOptionPane;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.JTextField;
import javax.swing.border.EmptyBorder;
public class AWorldPanel implements ActionListener {
/** Declaring all the menu items within the GUI **/
private JMenuItem Fileitem1 = new JMenuItem("New configuration");
private JMenuItem Fileitem2 = new JMenuItem("Open configuration file ");
private JMenuItem Fileitem3 = new JMenuItem("Save");
private JMenuItem Fileitem4 = new JMenuItem("Save As");
private JMenuItem Fileitem5 = new JMenuItem("Exit");
private JMenuItem Viewitem1 = new JMenuItem("Display configuration");
private JMenuItem Viewitem2 = new JMenuItem("Edit configuration");
private JMenuItem Viewitem3 = new JMenuItem("Info about Bugs");
private JMenuItem Viewitem4 = new JMenuItem("Info about Map");
private JMenuItem Edititem1 = new JMenuItem("Remove");
private JMenuItem Edititem2 = new JMenuItem("Add");
private JMenuItem Simulationitem1 = new JMenuItem("Simulation");
private JMenuItem Helpitem1 = new JMenuItem("Info about application");
private JMenuItem Helpitem2 = new JMenuItem("Info about author");
private JLabel theLabel;
private JPanel thePanel;
JButton Run, Pause, Reset;
JFrame GUI = new JFrame("Graphical User Interface");
private static AWorld guiworld;
public AWorldPanel() {
/** Creating the menu **/
JMenuBar menubar = new JMenuBar();
JMenu File = new JMenu("File");
JMenu View = new JMenu("View");
JMenu Edit = new JMenu("Edit");
JMenu Help = new JMenu("Help");
/** welcome label **/
theLabel = new JLabel("Hello ", JLabel.CENTER);
theLabel.setVisible(true);
theLabel.setVerticalTextPosition(JLabel.TOP);
theLabel.setHorizontalTextPosition(JLabel.CENTER);
/** file sub menus **/
menubar.add(File);
File.add(Fileitem1);
File.add(Fileitem2);
File.add(Fileitem3);
File.add(Fileitem4);
File.add(Fileitem5);
menubar.add(View);
View.add(Viewitem1);
View.add(Viewitem2);
View.add(Viewitem3);
View.add(Viewitem4);
menubar.add(Edit);
Edit.add(Edititem1);
Edit.add(Edititem2);
menubar.add(Help);
Help.add(Helpitem1);
Help.add(Helpitem2);
JPanel panel = new JPanel();
panel.setLayout(new BoxLayout(panel, BoxLayout.X_AXIS));
panel.setBorder(new EmptyBorder(new Insets(300, 125, 100, 100)));
Run = new JButton("Run");
Pause = new JButton("Pause");
Reset = new JButton("Reset");
panel.add(Run);
panel.add(Box.createRigidArea(new Dimension(0, 5)));
panel.add(Pause);
panel.add(Box.createRigidArea(new Dimension(0, 5)));
panel.add(Reset);
GUI.add(panel);
GUI.add(theLabel);
GUI.setJMenuBar(menubar);
}
private static void createAndShowGUI() {
AWorldPanel newworld = new AWorldPanel();
// Create the container
JFrame frame = new JFrame("Graphical User Interface");
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
// changing the menu settings
newworld.GUI.setLocation(300, 100);
newworld.GUI.setSize(500, 500);
newworld.GUI.setVisible(true);// Now the frame will appear on screen
}
public static void main(String args[]) {
javax.swing.SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
public void run() {
createAndShowGUI();
}
});
}
}

The default layout manager for a JFrame is a BorderLayout. If you don't specify a constraint then the component will be added to the BorderLayout.CENTER. You can't add multiple components to the same location in the layout. Try something like:
GUI.add(panel, BorderLayout.SOUTH);
GUI.add(theLabel, BorderLayout.CENTER);
Also, learn standard Java naming conventions. Every book, tutorial or example you will read uses these standards so don't make up your own conventions. Variable names do not start with an upper case character.