paint vs paintComponent for a JPanel

Hi. In my Java applet, I have a class which extends JPanel in order to display 2D graphics.

In this class I can override paint(), or paintComponent(), and both appear to work exactly the same. Obviously there is some difference, but I don't know what it is -- can anyone help with a brief explanation?

thanks in advance!

Look up the paint method in the JComponent class api and read the description of it in the Method Detail.

Also, read the Sun Swing tutorials section on Swing graphics for more in depth coverage of this very question. Look at especially this page: A Closer Look at the Paint Mechanism (The Java™ Tutorials > Creating a GUI with JFC/Swing > Performing Custom Painting)

Once you'll read this, you'll know exactly why you should use paintComponent. Please let me know if it answers your question adequately or not. Good luck.

thanks for the pointer hardwired, and the link Fubarable - both very helpful indeed - one more murky corner of Java UI stuff is enlightened :)

(They also provided useful explanation for why you should call super.paintComponent(g))

thanks guys!

you're welcome!