Thread: Stop a while loop with an awt button, problem

I created a new class to manage the input stream
but the button is still stuck.. I can't click it

public StreamClass{
    public void doTheJob(){
        // start inputstream
        while((len = is.read(buffer)) != -1){
            // inputstream stuff
        }
    }
}

...

public class MyClass extends Applet implements ActionListener{
    public void init(){
        Button start = new Button("start");
        Button stop = new Button("stop");
        add(start);
        add(stop);
        start.addActionListener(this);
        stop.addActionListener(this);
        start.setActionCommand("start");
        stop.setActionCommand("stop");
    }
 
    public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent ae){
        String action = ae.getActionCommand();
 
        if(action.equals("start")){
           StreamClass in = new StreamClass();
           in.doTheJob();
        } else if(action.equals("stop")){
            // stop while
        }
    }
}

If the task is time consuming, place it in a Thread of its own or use SwingWorker. As is, the time consuming task is on the EDT. Given the EDT is responsible for the GUI, no updates will be made until the task is complete - making it seem like your program froze. If you wish to stop the process in mid-stride, take KevinWorkman's advice re checking against a variable

try using a boolean variable telling it to run while end = false and after your requirements set end to true