java GUI

[tnrh1]

Hello everyone,
I'm a java programmer for 2 years already.
Few days ago I've started to work with some graphical user infertaces.
I've seen some guides and people using a visual GUI maker.
If someone could refer me to a link I would appreciate it.

Thanks in advanced.

[Junky]

Some IDE's have built in or plug-in GUI builders. However I stongly urge you to read some tutorials and write the code yourself. GUI builders can produce some ugly code. Plus if you write the code yourself then you will understand it.

[tnrh1]

Some IDE's have built in or plug-in GUI builders.

Yea, that I already know .. the reason I open this thread is that I couldn't find a working link and also guidelines how to install the plugin.

However I stongly urge you to read some tutorials and write the code yourself. GUI builders can produce some ugly code. Plus if you write the code yourself then you will understand it.

It's true, but I will learn much faster with the visual GUI.
Right now I know several GUI objects, and if I want to change it I have to look for guides.
Using the Visual GUI will help me to expand my knowledge, since I can add a new button and the look at the source code.

[Fubarable]

It's true, but I will learn much faster with the visual GUI.

Quite the opposite. You will learn how to drag and drop rectangles but will gain no understanding of what is happening underneath, and will not have pretty code to study. Many believe that use of drag-and-drop code generation can slow the Java learning process, a lot.

Using the Visual GUI will help me to expand my knowledge, since I can add a new button and the look at the source code.

Again, if you think that you can learn from the source code that the utility produces, you are sadly misguided and will be sorely disappointed. It's just not going to happen.

[Junky]

layout.setHorizontalGroup(
            layout.createParallelGroup(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.LEADING)
            .add(layout.createSequentialGroup()
                .addContainerGap()
                .add(layout.createParallelGroup(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.LEADING)
                    .add(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.TRAILING, layout.createSequentialGroup()
                        .add(layout.createParallelGroup(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.TRAILING)
                            .add(DPWL)
                            .add(PPHL)
                            .add(HPDL))
                        .addPreferredGap(org.jdesktop.layout.LayoutStyle.UNRELATED)
                        .add(layout.createParallelGroup(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.TRAILING, false)
                            .add(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.LEADING, PPH, org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, 101, Short.MAX_VALUE)
                            .add(HPD)
                            .add(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.LEADING, DPW))
                        .add(54, 54, 54)
                        .add(layout.createParallelGroup(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.LEADING)
                            .add(PPD)
                            .add(PPW)
                            .add(PPY))
                        .add(78, 78, 78))
                    .add(org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.TRAILING, layout.createSequentialGroup()
                        .add(jButton1, org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, 230, org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
                        .add(145, 145, 145))
                    .add(layout.createSequentialGroup()
                        .add(TITLE, org.jdesktop.layout.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, 502, Short.MAX_VALUE)
                        .addContainerGap())))
        );

I am reasonably experienced in writing Swing code but the above scares the cr@p outta me.

[tnrh1]

Let's go your way, you have any GUI tutorial to recommend for me?
I found few that explains about the JOptionPane.
This class is the only one I know to use in the "GUI world" atm xD

[Junky]

Google "The Really Big Index" and scroll down to Graphical User Interface. You can also go to the Java API and look at the classes in the Swing package (generally classes that start with 'J' eg JFrame, JPanel etc). Most of those classes will have a link to "how to use..."

[anthropamorphic]

Some IDE's have built in or plug-in GUI builders. However I stongly urge you to read some tutorials and write the code yourself. GUI builders can produce some ugly code. Plus if you write the code yourself then you will understand it.

I agree with you, but it can be a little difficult sometimes to get everything were you want it just by code.

[j2me64]

If someone could refer me to a link I would appreciate it.

start here: Trail: Creating a GUI With JFC/Swing (The Java™ Tutorials)

[stchman]

Netbeans has a really good GUI builder for Java, but I do recommend that you write a few GUIs by hand.

You will learn a lot more about what goes on to make a GUI and you will appreciate what the GUI builder does.

I only recommend IDEs for more experienced users, anyone just learning the language get a good Java programmers text editor(Notepad++, Geany, etc.), open a terminal, and start programming.

[anthropamorphic]

Netbeans has a really good GUI builder for Java, but I do recommend that you write a few GUIs by hand.

You will learn a lot more about what goes on to make a GUI and you will appreciate what the GUI builder does.

I only recommend IDEs for more experienced users, anyone just learning the language get a good Java programmers text editor(Notepad++, Geany, etc.), open a terminal, and start programming.

Why would you even try to write in a text editor? It would just be a terrible useless process. Since you will always have an IDE why not use it? The problem I had when trying to right in text edit (mac version of notepad) is I would sometimes mess up spacing a bit and it would just completely ruin my project.

[tnrh1]

start here: Trail: Creating a GUI With JFC/Swing (The Java™ Tutorials)

Thanks.

but it can be a little difficult sometimes to get everything were you want it just by code.

Exactly.

Last 2 days I was studying like a freak, I feel improvement.

Anyway I think would be better if I will have that builder, test it alittle bit and make my own disicions.
So again, if anyone got a link for one that would help me alot.
I already found few but my anti-virus warned me about a virus.

Thanks in advanced.

Btw I'm happy to be a party of this forum, looks like a very active one with alot of nice people.