[matome]

using java's graphic user interface, design an email client program with all the relevant menus and buttons.The email must mumic a real email client programme.

NB:this is my first progect using Java GUI'S, somehow they are giving problems as am unable to start,anyone who has the idea or has such problem before please help!!.

[gyron]

Firstly, are you going to be using a GUI builder like Netbeans or you are going to use Layoutmanagers?
Also, the rules at this forum is that you do something first then seek specific help, not the other way round.

[alpha02]

gyron, on 30 Apr, 2007 - 08:25 AM, said:

Firstly, are you going to be using a GUI builder like Netbeans or you are going to use Layoutmanagers?
Also, the rules at this forum is that you do something first then seek specific help, not the other way round.

Please be more specific about your question. Example, post an image of the GUI of somthing similar and we will be able to help you out. To get you started about GUI's, see my tutorials in the Java Tutorials section, you will find for sure plenty of useful information there.

[khumbza]

alpha02, on 30 Apr, 2007 - 06:51 PM, said:

gyron, on 30 Apr, 2007 - 08:25 AM, said:

Firstly, are you going to be using a GUI builder like Netbeans or you are going to use Layoutmanagers?
Also, the rules at this forum is that you do something first then seek specific help, not the other way round.

Please be more specific about your question. Example, post an image of the GUI of somthing similar and we will be able to help you out. To get you started about GUI's, see my tutorials in the Java Tutorials section, you will find for sure plenty of useful information there.

i 'm using layoutmanegers.

[alpha02]

khumbza, on 2 May, 2007 - 06:20 AM, said:

alpha02, on 30 Apr, 2007 - 06:51 PM, said:

gyron, on 30 Apr, 2007 - 08:25 AM, said:

Firstly, are you going to be using a GUI builder like Netbeans or you are going to use Layoutmanagers?
Also, the rules at this forum is that you do something first then seek specific help, not the other way round.

Please be more specific about your question. Example, post an image of the GUI of somthing similar and we will be able to help you out. To get you started about GUI's, see my tutorials in the Java Tutorials section, you will find for sure plenty of useful information there.

i 'm using layoutmanegers.

Well the GridBagLayout or the null layout are commonly used layouts, but I don't know much about GridBagLayout. so why not try the null layout? Follow my tutorial and I'm sure you will be able to write a GUI. You must understand the basics of Java (classes, objects, methods, variables...) to be able to follow the tutorial.

This post has been edited by alpha02: 02 May 2007 - 05:33 PM

[William_Wilson]

gridbag is the best way to go, it takes some time to learn all the properties, but it adjusts to all resizings as opposed to the rigidness of null, and can take on properties of alignment found in grid layout.

[1lacca]

I've used GridBag a lot because it can do anythign with one layout, but sometimes it can overcomplicate things and tempt you to put different logical units into one big mess. Usually mixing simple layouts is the easiest way to go, and they help you separate different aspects of a GUI better, thus makes rearranging easier.
The new SpringLayout is another good way, because in difficulity it is in the middle, I've used it a couple of times, too.
Anyway, it all depends on what you are trying to achieve. If you can show us a sketch of your desired interface, I think we can give you better suggestions on what to use.

[AngeluS]

JGoodies and its layout manager and data binding are a great help too.

[gyron]

I find the GridBagLayout so very flexible and easy to use. I also mix layouts, like the GridBagLayout and the BorderLayout, which i think, next to FlowLayout is the easiest to understand and use.

[alpha02]

I always use the null layout, but I once tried the grid bag one and all components were sticked together, so I find it easier to create complex GUIs with the null one. Can you really create complex GUis with grid bag?

[gyron]

alpha02, on 3 May, 2007 - 12:22 PM, said:

Can you really create complex GUis with grid bag?

Very much so! It can get as complex as one desires. YOur components got muddled up in the centre most likely because you were not correctly implementing the GridBagConstraints. One needs to properly master the use of these constraints because they are just what makes the GridBagLayout tick.
Once i started using this layout, i gave up drag and drop!
Try it and have fun.

[alpha02]

gyron, on 4 May, 2007 - 03:39 AM, said:

alpha02, on 3 May, 2007 - 12:22 PM, said:

Can you really create complex GUis with grid bag?

Very much so! It can get as complex as one desires. YOur components got muddled up in the centre most likely because you were not correctly implementing the GridBagConstraints. One needs to properly master the use of these constraints because they are just what makes the GridBagLayout tick.
Once i started using this layout, i gave up drag and drop!
Try it and have fun.

Well the components are all stuck at the center of my panel, and I cannot create a GUI with space between components... I cannot set the exact position of each component like the null layout does, anyway the best layout is the one you like best

[1lacca]

alpha02, on 4 May, 2007 - 06:22 PM, said:

Well the components are all stuck at the center of my panel,

Wrong.

alpha02, on 4 May, 2007 - 06:22 PM, said:

and I cannot create a GUI with space between components...

Wrong.

Just check the first example here

alpha02, on 4 May, 2007 - 06:22 PM, said:

anyway the best layout is the one you like best

Agreed!

[alpha02]

1lacca, on 6 May, 2007 - 03:40 PM, said:

alpha02, on 4 May, 2007 - 06:22 PM, said:

Well the components are all stuck at the center of my panel,

Wrong.

They are not stuck at the center, but at the center OR one edge, I mean I was unable to create a complex GUI with components at any precise place on my panel.

[1lacca]

Well, I could still debate it, because with the usage of borders and maybe spacing components it is possible, but as I wrote earlier I am not an advocate of gridbag layout, and I recommend using more containers with simple layouts...
Anyway, you are right, if the goal is pixel-precise positioning within a container that has a fixed dimension, then the null layout is the way to go (but if localization and dynamic labels are concerned, it can become quickly impossible to test due to varying text lengths and size). However most GUIs are today expected to fill the whole window that can be stretched to different sizes, and this is quite cumbersome to achieve with null layout.

edit: some spelling

This post has been edited by 1lacca: 06 May 2007 - 04:48 PM