Examples Index

This lesson tells you how to use the layout managers provided by the Java platform. It also tells you how to use absolute positioning (no layout manager) and gives an example of writing a custom layout manager. For each layout manager (or lack thereof), this lesson points to an example that you can run using Java^TM Web Start. By resizing an example's window, you can see how size changes affect the layout.

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Note: This lesson covers writing layout code by hand, which can be challenging. If you are not interested in learning all the details of layout management, you might prefer to use the GroupLayout layout manager combined with a builder tool to lay out your GUI. One such builder tool is the NetBeans IDE. Otherwise, if you want to code by hand and do not want to use GroupLayout, then GridBagLayout is recommended as the next most flexible and powerful layout manager.

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A Visual Guide to Layout Managers

This section shows examples of the standard layout managers and points to the how-to section for each one.

Using Layout Managers

This section gives general rules on using the standard layout managers. It includes how to set the layout manager, add components to a container, provide size and alignment hints, put space between components, and set the orientation of the container's layout so that it is appropriate for the locale in which the program is running. It also has some tips for choosing the right layout manager.

How Layout Management Works

This section goes through a typical layout sequence and then describes what happens when a component's size changes.

How to Use ...

This series of sections tells you how to use each of the general-purpose layout managers that the Java platform provides.

Creating a Custom Layout Manager

Instead of using one of the Java platform's layout managers, you can write your own. Layout managers must implement the LayoutManager interface, which specifies the five methods every layout manager must define. Optionally, layout managers can implement LayoutManager2, which is a subinterface of LayoutManager.

Doing Without a Layout Manager (Absolute Positioning)

If necessary, you can position components without using a layout manager. Generally, this solution is used to specify absolute sizes and positions for components.

Solving Common Layout Problems

Some of the most common layout problems involve components that are displayed too small — or not at all. This section tells you how to fix these and other common layout problems.

Questions and Exercises

Try these questions and exercises to test what you have learned in this lesson.