Calling a JFrame window from a command line program.

[new_2_java]

Hi all,

I have a command line Java program. I would like to call another class which extends JFrame, just to display a small windows with a couple of fields, then the program should halt, untill the user make a selection on the JFrame window, and only then the program should continue based on user's selection.

i.e. MainClass.java

public class MainClass {
   public static void main(String[] arg) {
      JFrameClass jf = new JFrameClass();
      jr.showJFrameClass();
      // halt and do actions only when clicks on ok on JFrameClass.
      // ...
   }
 }

JFrameClass.java

public class JFrameClass extends JFrame implements ActionListener {
    // make a JFrame window with a comboBox
    // and an OK and CANCEL button when user selects cancel
    // windows is closed and when clicks OK, then the program flow should go 
    // back to MainClass.java
    public JFrameClass() {
        // set necessary variables, controles etc...
    }

    public void showJFrameClass() {
        this.setVisible(true);
    }

    public actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
        if (e.getSource() == OKButton) {
            // do somehting and return back the flow of the program
            // back to MainClass.java
            this.setVisible(false);
         }
    }
}

Please advise...

Thanks,

[Norm]

What you describe is the normal execution flow for a program.
Not sure what "halt" means.
If you display a window and then return from the method, none of your code is executing. If you have added listeners to components being shown in your window, when the user interacts with them, the listeners will be called.

What happens when you execute your code?

[new_2_java]

Thanks Norm for the reply,

Here's what happens. consider the MainClass.java

public class MainClass {
   public static void main(String[] arg) {
      JFrameClass jf = new JFrameClass();
      jr.showJFrameClass();
      // halt and do actions only when clicks on ok on JFrameClass. By this I mean, the codes from here on ward should not be executed, untill the user makes a selection on the JFrameClass.java. Say if I have the following SOP, then they will be executed.
      // ...
     System.out.println("This shouldn't be printed, before the user clicks on ok/cancel on the JFrameClass, but this line gets executed, while the window is displaying.");
   }
 }

So, by "halt" I mean that the SOP should wait, untle the user clicks on ok/cancel on JFrameClass and only then the SOP should be executed.

I hope I am explaining it clearer,

Thanks,

[Norm]

the SOP should wait

What's an SOP?

You say:

Here's what happens

But I don't see an explanation of what is happening. You posted some code.
What happens when you execute the code? Does it do what you want? If not explain what it does and what you want it to do.

If by "halt" do you mean to interrupt the execution of a method in the middle of it where you show your comment.
That is not a good design. What you want to do is use listeners to handle the user clicks and have that listener code start a new method to do what you want done at that time.

[Supamagier]

As Norm already said, you should add listeners to the JFrame or w/e the user has to click on, and use that to call the method that executes the piece of code that you want it to (so after those comments in your main method)

[Nicholas Jordan]

Basically, the 'command line' portion of your program will 'wait' due to the nature of threading, it is the thread from the main in the command line that enters the JWindow stuff, in general use JDialog as those tend to be 'modal' which means 'wait' as you are using the term.

I tried it recently, it works:

catch(java.security.NoSuchAlgorithmException inwskes)
{
//
Object[] nullNames = {"first", "second", "third"};
String result = (String) javax.swing.JOptionPane.showInputDialog(new java.awt.Frame(),  "NoSuchAlgorithmException: "+END_OF_LINE+exception.getMessage() + END_OF_LINE, "Hashing Algorithm not available - see message",javax.swing.JOptionPane.PLAIN_MESSAGE,null,nullNames,"first");
return new String("NoSuchAlgorithmException:  " + new java.util.Date().toString() + result);
}

Use of strings that have no detectable use are a consequence of where the JDialog was being used and should be replaced with something you can use.

[Eranga]

What's an SOP?

I've pointed this several times on few members. Our thread starter use a shorten form for System.out.println() as SOP. No one cannot identify at once it is. Because it's not a valid/standard abbreviation.

[Eranga]

So, by "halt" I mean that the SOP should wait, untle the user clicks on ok/cancel on JFrameClass and only then the SOP should be executed.

Java is sequential program. Statement execute after the previous one is completed. So that println() not executed until, showJFrameClass(), method is completed. Carefully read Norms' replay.