Thread: Basic GUI (eclipse swing)

Hello there! So I've got this program over registerd animals in a zoo, the idea is that when an animal is 'created' and added in a room, it gets saved into a registry, I know my code isn't the prettiest of codes, and has it's bugs, but that's a problem for another day, as I like to move on with the program I thought it would be nice with a GUI (eclipse swing).

I've been reading, watching tutorials and stuff, but i'm stuck, what I have figured out is how to make buttons, and baisc layouts, I can't get any further.
I need to make a menu (as it is in the program) then when the user presses 'create mammal' another screen should appear, with 'text fields' (correct?) where the user should input name, speicies or w/e, this should then be saved the same way as I have it now, I think you get the basic point.

Is there anyone hwo can make an example program, with a button and user input, I just really need an example to get started!
As always, forever grateful for any contribution you can give.

The program (so far):

 
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;
import java.util.Scanner;
import java.io.FileOutputStream;
import java.io.ObjectOutputStream;
import java.io.Serializable;
 
public class Menu implements Serializable {
 
private static List<Room> rooms = new ArrayList<Room>();
private static List<Room> Arooms = new ArrayList<Room>();
private static List<Mammal> mammals = new ArrayList<Mammal>();
private static List<Registry> registrys = new ArrayList<Registry>();
 
public static void main(String[] args)
{ 
	Registered();
 
    while (true)
    {
    System.out.println("");
    System.out.println("Select an option from below: \n");
    System.out.println("(1) Create Room");
    System.out.println("(2) Show Rooms");
    System.out.println("(3) Create Mammal");
    System.out.println("(4) Add animal to room");
    System.out.println("(5) View residents");
    System.out.println("(6) Write to file");
    System.out.println("(7) Exit");
 
 
    Scanner input = new Scanner( System.in );
    int choice = input.nextInt();
    if(choice == 1){
    	CreateRoom2();
    }
    else if(choice == 2){
    	ShowRooms();
    }
    else if(choice == 3){
    	CreateMammal();
    }
    else if (choice == 4){
    	CreateRegistry();
    }
    else if (choice == 5){
		System.out.println(registrys);
    }
    else if (choice == 6){
    	WriteToFile();
    }
    else if (choice == 7){
        break ;
    }
    }
	}
		public static void CreateRoom2() {
 
		Room aRoom = new Room();
 
		String nBuilding; 
		int nNumber;
		int nAvailable;
 
		Scanner in = new Scanner (System.in);
		System.out.println ("Enter Building");
		nBuilding = in.nextLine(); 
		aRoom.setBuilding(nBuilding);
 
		Scanner in2 = new Scanner (System.in);
		System.out.println ("Enter Number");
		nNumber = in2.nextInt(); 
		aRoom.setNumber(nNumber);
 
		Scanner in3 = new Scanner (System.in);
		System.out.println ("Available? \n"
				+ "1. Yes \n"
				+ "2. No");
		nAvailable = in3.nextInt();
		if (nAvailable == 1)
			 aRoom.setAvailable(true);
		else aRoom.setAvailable(false);
 
		Scanner in4 = new Scanner (System.in);
		System.out.println ("Save or Delete? \n"
				+ "1. Save \n"
				+ "2. Delete");
		if (in4.nextInt() == 1)
				rooms.add(aRoom);
		else ;
 
		Scanner in5 = new Scanner (System.in);
		System.out.println ("Add new room? \n"
				+ "1. Yes \n"
				+ "2. No");
		if (in5.nextInt() == 1)
			CreateRoom2();
		else;
 
	}
 
		public static void CreateRegistry() {
 
		Registry aRegistry = new Registry();
 
		String nBuilding; 
		int nNumber;
		String nName;
		String nHabitat;
		String nSpecies = null;
		String nDangerous = null;
 
		int index;
		int index2;
		int index3=0;
		int index4=0;
 
		Scanner in = new Scanner (System.in);
		System.out.println ("Choose Room");
 
	    for (Room s : rooms)
	        if (s.isAvailable(true)){
	        	System.out.println(String.valueOf(index3++)+": "+s);
	    		Arooms.add(s);
	        }
 
		index = in.nextInt();
		nBuilding = Arooms.get(index).getBuilding();
		nNumber = Arooms.get(index).getNumber();
		aRegistry.setBuilding(nBuilding);
		aRegistry.setNumber(nNumber);
 
		Scanner in2 = new Scanner (System.in);
		System.out.println ("Choose Animal");
 
		for(Mammal s3 : mammals){
			System.out.println(String.valueOf(index4++)+": "+s3);
		}
 
		index2 = in.nextInt();
		nName = mammals.get(index2).getName();
		nHabitat = mammals.get(index2).getHabitat();
		nSpecies = mammals.get(index2).getSpecies();
		nDangerous = mammals.get(index2).getDangerous();
		aRegistry.setName(nName);
		aRegistry.setHabitat(nHabitat);
		aRegistry.setSpecies(nSpecies);
		aRegistry.setDangerous(nDangerous);
 
		registrys.add(aRegistry);
 
		System.out.println(mammals.get(index2).getName()+" is now in Room: "+aRegistry.getBuilding()+aRegistry.getNumber());	
 
	}
 
		public static void CreateMammal() {
 
		Mammal aMammal = new Mammal();
 
		String nName;
		String nHabitat;
		String nSpecies = "Mammal";
		String nDangerous;
 
		int index;
 
		Scanner in = new Scanner (System.in);
		System.out.println ("Enter Name");
		nName = in.nextLine(); 
		aMammal.setName(nName);
 
		Scanner in2 = new Scanner (System.in);
		System.out.println ("Enter Habitat");
		nHabitat = in2.nextLine(); 
		aMammal.setHabitat(nHabitat);
 
		Scanner in3 = new Scanner (System.in);
		System.out.println ("Is this animal Dangerous?");
		nDangerous = in3.nextLine(); 
		aMammal.setDangerous(nDangerous);
 
		aMammal.setSpecies(nSpecies);
 
		mammals.add(aMammal);
 
		System.out.println(mammals);
 
 
		}
 
		public static void Registered() {
 
		for ( int i = 0 ; i < 4 ; i++ )
		{
		    rooms.add( new Room() );
		}
 
		rooms.get( 0 ).setBuilding( "A" );
		rooms.get( 0 ).setNumber( 1 );
		rooms.get( 0 ).setAvailable( false );
 
		rooms.get( 1 ).setBuilding( "A" );
		rooms.get( 1 ).setNumber( 2 );
		rooms.get( 1 ).setAvailable( false );
 
		rooms.get( 2 ).setBuilding( "B" );
		rooms.get( 2 ).setNumber( 1 );
		rooms.get( 2 ).setAvailable( true );
 
		rooms.get( 3 ).setBuilding( "B" );
		rooms.get( 3 ).setNumber( 2 );
		rooms.get( 3 ).setAvailable( true );
 
		for ( int i = 0 ; i < 4 ; i++ )
		{
			mammals.add( new Mammal() );
		}
 
		mammals.get( 0 ).setName( "Astro Boy" );
		mammals.get( 0 ).setHabitat("Domesticated");
		mammals.get( 0 ).setSpecies("Horse");
		mammals.get( 0 ).setDangerous("yes");
 
		mammals.get( 1 ).setName( "Chop" );
		mammals.get( 1 ).setHabitat("Domesticated");
		mammals.get( 1 ).setSpecies("Dog");
		mammals.get( 1 ).setDangerous("No");
 
		mammals.get( 2 ).setName( "Jumbo" );
		mammals.get( 2 ).setHabitat("savannahs, forests, deserts and marshes");
		mammals.get( 2 ).setSpecies("Elephant");
		mammals.get( 2 ).setDangerous("yes");
 
		mammals.get( 3 ).setName( "Bai Yun" );
		mammals.get( 3 ).setHabitat("a cool, moist climate.");
		mammals.get( 3 ).setSpecies("Panda");
		mammals.get( 3 ).setDangerous("yes");
 
		}		
		public static void WriteToFile() {
 
	        try {
	            System.out.println("Writing to file \n"
	            		+ " Serializing...\n"
	            		+ "Done!");
	            FileOutputStream fout = new FileOutputStream("registrys.ser");
	            ObjectOutputStream oos = new ObjectOutputStream(fout);
	            oos.writeObject(registrys);
	            oos.close();
	        }
	        catch (Exception e) {
	            e.printStackTrace();
	        }
		}
 
		public static void ShowRooms() {
 
			System.out.println("All Rooms: \n");
			for (Room s : rooms)
				System.out.println(s);
 
			System.out.println("Available Rooms: \n");
		    for (Room s : rooms)
		        if (s.isAvailable(true)){
		        	System.out.println(s);
		        }		
		}
}

and ofc there are other classes, but I didnt think it was necessary to post them

You could use NetBeans IDE Swing GUI Builder.

https://netbeans.org/features/java/swing.html

hope this helps

Originally Posted by shakes6791

You could use NetBeans IDE Swing GUI Builder.

https://netbeans.org/features/java/swing.html

hope this helps

I will try it out

As for the oracle guides, i've read them, but I don't seem to come to terms with them, but I will continue trying ofcourse, It's just that part with user input that bothers me

copeg is completely right on this one. I picked up a good bit of knowledge on the topic of GUI from my the Java courses I took over the last couple semesters. In my class we used a book called "BIG JAVA 4th edition" by Cay Horstmann, chapter 9 goes into events, event sources, and event listeners and stuff of that nature then there is chapter 18 that goes right into GUI. I found these chapters to be very helpful if you happen to find a copy laying around on the internet .

Originally Posted by klskl

I've been reading, watching tutorials and stuff, but i'm stuck, what I have figured out is how to make buttons, and baisc layouts, I can't get any further.
I need to make a menu (as it is in the program) then when the user presses 'create mammal' another screen should appear, with 'text fields' (correct?) where the user should input name, speicies or w/e, this should then be saved the same way as I have it now, I think you get the basic point.

You have a variety of options for taking in user input via a GUI. I'll list out a few but keep in mind, there are others I'm not mentioning:

1) Create a JOptionPane.showInputDialog(null, JComponent), where the JComponent can be a JPanel. You can add as many components as you want, such as JTextFields, JButtons, etc... . The JOptionPane has built-in functions of a new screen appearing, an "OK" button, has focus (i.e. won't let the user click on your main GUI) and it's relatively easy to customize.

2) Create a new JFrame. I've read arguments for and against using multiple JFrames but I'll leave it up to you to decide. Personally, I try to avoid it just so I have everything nice and neat (if possible).

3) Use different layouts. There are many layouts that can easily help you accomplish your task, it's just a matter of seeing whether the end result is what you want. If you're only going to have 1 additional screen ('create mammal'), some of these layouts may be a bit too complex, however, there's no harm in learning. For example, CardLayout will allow you to have multiple JPanels placed on each other, similar to a binder, where each time you flip to the next sheet, you're viewing a new JPanel.

4) Use pre-built GUI classes, such as JTabbedPane. Keep in mind, this is not an actual layout, rather it controls the way the GUI will behave using whichever layout you select. Oracle documentation.

With either option, you can still save by writing the object to an external file using your WriteToFile() method.

Originally Posted by SunshineInABag

You have a variety of options for taking in user input via a GUI. I'll list out a few but keep in mind, there are others I'm not mentioning:

1) Create a JOptionPane.showInputDialog(null, JComponent), where the JComponent can be a JPanel. You can add as many components as you want, such as JTextFields, JButtons, etc... . The JOptionPane has built-in functions of a new screen appearing, an "OK" button, has focus (i.e. won't let the user click on your main GUI) and it's relatively easy to customize.

2) Create a new JFrame. I've read arguments for and against using multiple JFrames but I'll leave it up to you to decide. Personally, I try to avoid it just so I have everything nice and neat (if possible).

3) Use different layouts. There are many layouts that can easily help you accomplish your task, it's just a matter of seeing whether the end result is what you want. If you're only going to have 1 additional screen ('create mammal'), some of these layouts may be a bit too complex, however, there's no harm in learning. For example, CardLayout will allow you to have multiple JPanels placed on each other, similar to a binder, where each time you flip to the next sheet, you're viewing a new JPanel.

4) Use pre-built GUI classes, such as JTabbedPane. Keep in mind, this is not an actual layout, rather it controls the way the GUI will behave using whichever layout you select. Oracle documentation.

With either option, you can still save by writing the object to an external file using your WriteToFile() method.

I have been looking at the JOptionPane solution, and it looks really good, so thanks!
But, I was thinking, what is the best way to display my 'menu'? , is it simply alot of buttons, or is there a better solution?

There are menus available. Do a search on java menu and see what you come up with

Yeah I did alot of that last night, but I never found a good solution, except maybe 'JmenuBar' , but I ran into a problem there, it was like this:
menu1 - item1 in menu1 - item2 in menu1 -item3 in menu1
menu2 - item1 in menu2 - item2 in menu2 -item3 in menu2
menu3 - item1 in menu3 - item2 in menu3 -item3 in menu3

The 'items' had to be the same in each menu, so it was basicly the same menus, I hope you understand, but I guess I will do it with buttons for now.

Originally Posted by klskl

The 'items' had to be the same in each menu, so it was basicly the same menus, I hope you understand, but I guess I will do it with buttons for now.

I do not know what you mean by the items had to be the same in each menu. When it all boils down at the end you can have different menus at different times based on the state of any object you so choose.
Post the menu code if you want help with it. Buttons are not the only option

It's like this:

 
    public JMenuBar createMenuBar() {
        JMenuBar menuBar = new JMenuBar();
        menuBar.setLayout(new BoxLayout(menuBar, BoxLayout.PAGE_AXIS));
        menuBar.add(createMenu("Create"));
        menuBar.add(createMenu("View"));
        menuBar.add(createMenu("Save"));
 
        menuBar.setBorder(BorderFactory.createMatteBorder(0,0,0,1,
                                                          Color.BLACK));
        return menuBar;
    }
 
    public JMenu createMenu(String title) {
        JMenu m = new HorizontalMenu(title);
        m.add(title + "Mammal");
        m.add(title + "Room");
        m.add(title + "Registry");
 
 
        return m;
    }

Then, when you choose 'create' you can choose to create mammal, room or registry, wich is fine, but I dont want the same options for view and save

So do not give view and save the same options:
createMenu("View") and createMenu("Save") gives "View" and "Save" the same options as "Create"
Give them the options you want them to have instead

Thats just it, I can't, whatever I do I don't get diffrent options, I can make a new MenuBar for each create, view and save, but then I can place them under eachother.
When I do several createMenu, it just overrides the previous menu

Nevermind! It worked, thanks dude, but keep track on this thread, since problems are ahead! ;D

--- Update ---

So, with buttons, I can just add actionlisteners, and do it like:

       addNameButton.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
           public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event) {
               String aName;
               aName = JOptionPane.showInputDialog(null, "Name?");
          }
       });

Something like that, but what I just realized, is that it doesn't work that way with menus, how can I add listerners to menu items? I will hit the books, but feel free

Handling Events From Menu Items - not different, really.

Originally Posted by GregBrannon

Handling Events From Menu Items - not different, really.

I see alot of addActionListener(this) but, I have to do something in the popupmenu? What is the easiets way to get

 System.exit(0);

under 'createmenu3' " Exit"

    public JMenu createMenu3(String Save) {
        JMenu m = new HorizontalMenu(Save);
 
        m.add(" Save Registry");
        m.add(" Save and Exit");
        m.add(" Exit");   
 
        return m;
    }

'm' is a JMenu. JMenus are populated with JMenuItems. Listeners are added to JMenuItems.

Using the add( String ) method as you've done adds a JMenuItem to 'm' essentially anonymously, because you don't capture the JMenuItem that is returned by the add() method. (Refer to the JMenu API.) If you were to capture the JMenuItem returned by the add() method, you would add the listener to that. You could do the whole thing anonymously, something like:

m.add(" Save Registry").addActionListener( this ); // or substitute 'this' with appropriate listener

but I don't know if I recommend that.

Originally Posted by GregBrannon

'm' is a JMenu. JMenus are populated with JMenuItems. Listeners are added to JMenuItems.

Using the add( String ) method as you've done adds a JMenuItem to 'm' essentially anonymously, because you don't capture the JMenuItem that is returned by the add() method. (Refer to the JMenu API.) If you were to capture the JMenuItem returned by the add() method, you would add the listener to that. You could do the whole thing anonymously, something like:

m.add(" Save Registry").addActionListener( this ); // or substitute 'this' with appropriate listener

but I don't know if I recommend that.

Well, i will try and see if it works, then maybe work around it later, since I wanna move on, thanks!

--- Update ---

But . . .

	public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
			System.exit(0);
	}

Will be 'called' when I press w/e with

.addActionListener(this);

Right? I can't seperate them can I?

Your shorthand leaves me confused, but did you try it?

Well, if I have the listeners like this:

    public JMenu createMenu3(String Save) {
        JMenu m = new HorizontalMenu(Save);
 
        m.add(" Save Registry").addActionListener(this);
        m.add(" Save and Exit").addActionListener(this);
        m.add(" Exit").addActionListener(this);
 
        return m;

How do I make this:

	public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
			System.exit(0);	
	}

only affect the " Exit" listener?

So this is your first use of a listener? That's okay. We all start somewhere.

The ActionEvent e can be used to determine the source of the event. Review the ActionEvent API. Typically, e.getSource() will be used to identify the source of the event, but you may need to narrow the identification using getActionCommand(), getName(), etc. Note that getSource() returns an Object, so that may need to be cast to a JMenuItem in order to continue the identification.

Then you'll use an 'if' statement:

// the following is simplified or pseudo-code and will not work as is:
if ( e.getSource.equals( exitMenuItem ) )
{
    System.exit( 0 );
}

Thx guys for all help! I have alot left to do, but I think I can manage from here useing what you showed me!