Where to proceed? Applets or Swing?

[Mattedatten]

Hey all (Don't like reading?, read the short version at the end of this post)
I've been learning 2 out of 3 courses avaiable in my school about java, and I'm not sure if I'm going to get the 3rd (I'm the only one in the whole school (problably) that are requesting it)
Anyway, I've been thinking about making something myself, and start learning more java through online tutorials (It's easier than looking all over south sweden for a book that probably doesn't exist here)

And ... I want to proceed onto some kind of grapihical programming, like, games.
But now I'm stuck, I asked on a Swedish forum, and they answered me to go on with applets.
And, after doing some very basics on a tutorial, I found out about "Swing"
I've learned that Applets are (almost) like flash-games, and Swing runs like a program on my computer.

So my question is, what should i proceed learning?
And what about compability? I seem to be able to send an applet to a friend, but would "a swing" (is it called that) also work?

My goal right now with java? - Now after summer, are we starting something called "a project" in school ... That means that we have 1 year to create something that interests us ... and i want to do somekind of simple (2d?) game.

This means, I've done the first steps here: Java Cooperation: home
And that's the applet-tutorial that i have.

But are there any other good tutorials online? (Swing or applet)
Tips? ^^

And a shorter version:
I've been learning java for a while now, and want to proceed onto "graphical programming".
I've found out that there are applets and Swing, and whom of those are the better one to choose? And why?
And what about compability? (Does the user have to have JDK installed to use Swing?)

Thanks,
//Mattedatten

[Fubarable]

Applets and Swing are not orthogonal concepts and thus are not mutually exclusive. I would learn Swing basics first and then you can apply all you learn to creating JApplets.

For instance, if you create a GUI that is built on a JPanel, then that very same JPanel/GUI code can be used to display the GUI as a desk top app (in a JFrame) or as an applet (inside of a JApplet).

[Mattedatten]

Ok then, thanks for a fast answer.
So I guess I should leave applets (for now) and go on to swing?


And if so, do you have any good online tutorial for recommendation? :D

[Fubarable]

Ok then, thanks for a fast answer.
So I guess I should leave applets (for now) and go on to swing?

You're welcome, and yep, learn the rudiments of Swing first, and then apply it to JApplets.

And if so, do you have any good online tutorial for recommendation? :D

Do I ever!? Using Swing Components

Also a caveat: while NetBeans is a great IDE, and I highly recommend its use, I rec that you don't use its drag and drop GUI editor until you understand the underpinnings of Swing.

Much luck!

[Mattedatten]

You're welcome, and yep, learn the rudiments of Swing first, and then apply it to JApplets.

Roger that! ;)

Do I ever!? Using Swing Components

Haha, I was just watching those tutorials.
The Java™ Tutorials
Should I follow the 7 chapters under "Trails Covering the Basics"? Because, I think that i know the basics (^^) and the 2nd chapter too. Probably I know most of 3rd albo. But, 4th, I'm not sure that those "Collecitons" are, should I go onto that?

Also a caveat: while NetBeans is a great IDE, and I highly recommend its use, I rec that you don't use its drag and drop GUI editor until you understand the underpinnings of Swing.

I'm using JCreator LE .. :P

Much luck!

Thanks! :)