How to set the size of a JComboBox?

[nickburris]

I have a JComboBox and I can't figure out how why, but it takes up the whole window, even if I resize the window itself.

String[] firstOptions = {"--Pick one--", "One", "Second", "Next", "Testing"};
	       JComboBox firstValue = new JComboBox(firstOptions); 
	       firstValue.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(300, 100)); 
	       firstValue.setSelectedIndex(0);
	       frame.getContentPane().add(firstValue, BorderLayout.NORTH);

Even though Dimension(300, 100) is smaller than my JFrame window, the JComboBox still takes up the whole window.

Any help? I'm a little new to Java

[pbrockway2]

Use a layout manager to determine the size of components.

See Using Layout Managers (The Java™ Tutorials > Creating a GUI With JFC/Swing > Laying Out Components Within a Container) and following.