Designing Java GUIs

Use the IDE's Form Editor to visually design GUIs (graphical user interfaces). As you visually create and modify your GUI, the Java code to implement it is automatically generated and updated. You can select items such as panels, scrollbars, menus, and buttons in the component palette and then place them directly on a form in the Form Editor window. The layout manager you select controls how items can be positioned in your form.

Designing a GUI with the IDE is quick because you don't need to worry about generating and updating code while you try out different layout managers, parameters, and components.

In addition, you can manage event handlers and customize the way code is generated for components.

For more information about creating Java GUIs, see "The JFC Swing Tutorial: A Guide to Constructing GUIs" at http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/book.html

Follow these links for help on designing, creating, and updating Java GUIs:

Form Editor

Creating a New Form



Working With Components

Working With Layouts

Working With Source Code

Managing Component Events

Using the Connection Wizard



Configuring the Form Editor

Customizing the Component Palette

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