Articles: Graphical User Interfaces

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Find out how you can build a graphical user interface with the Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT) and Java Foundation Classes/Swing (JFC/Swing) APIs.

Creating a Sorted JList Component by John O'Conner
This article's demo application uses the decorator design pattern to help you produce sorted lists. The pattern provides additional functionality to the ListModel object you already use and requires only minimal changes to your existing application code. (June 2006)

Using the Desktop API in Java SE 6 by John O'Conner
Learn about Java SE 6's new Desktop API, which allows Java applications to interact with the default applications associated with specific file types on the host platform. (February 2006)

The Next Wave of GUIs: Project Matisse and NetBeans IDE 5.0 by Roman Strobl
Scott Violet and Tomas Pavek discuss Project Matisse, a GUI builder for JFC/Swing technology on the NetBeans IDE that makes Swing development easier than it's ever been. (December 2005)

Meet the Engineer
Chet Haase discusses what he wishes he'd learned in engineering school, how he works as a developer, and what a graphics geek does. (November 2005)

Customize Your JList Display by John O'Conner
JFC/Swing's JList and JComboBox are great components for displaying object lists, but they don't always display user-friendly text by default. This article shows you how to customize how objects are displayed in JList components. (November 2005)

Creating Wizard Dialogs with Java Swing by Robert Eckstein
Wizard dialogs are ubiquitous in today's desktop applications. This article creates a framework for a simple wizard dialog, complete with Back, Next, and Cancel buttons that you can extend for use in your applications as necessary. (February 2005)

Developing Web Applications with JavaServer Faces by Qusay H. Mahmoud
If you want to build web applications with rich user interfaces, come read about the nuts-and-bolts of JavaServer Faces -- a user interface framework that runs on the server side and renders the user interface back to the client! Plenty of code samples to sink your teeth into. (July 2004)

Bringing SVG Power to Java Applications by Christophe Jolif
Learn how to build SVG libraries and applications on top of the Java platform. The article takes you step-by-step through an example that uses the ILOG JViews Component Suite (a Java 2D and Swing-based two-dimensional graphics library). (December 2002)

Updates to The Swing Tutorial by Kammie Kayl
A new version of The Swing Tutorial, the practical guide for GUI programming, is in the process of being improved and updated to the J2SE SDK v1.4. Read about and visit the new and updated pages, and many examples. (December 2002)

Choosing Client-side Java technology by Alex Kalinovsky
This article looks at three front-end technologies: HTML/JSP, Project Swing, and Java Web Start, and provides criteria and tips for choosing among them in development. (June 2001)

Project Swing and Java 2D Graphics by Monica Pawlan — Release Java 2, J2SE 1.3
Learn how to use menus, layout managers, and the Java 2D API to enhance the appearance and usability of your applications. (January 2001)

What's New With Accessibility by Ed Ort — Release Java 2, J2SE 1.3
Extensions to accessibility support in Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition Version 1.3, plus new tools give developers more flexibility in making user interfaces accessible to people with disabilities. Learn how. (October 2000)

Java 2D Cosmic Art Applet by Michael Meloan
An applet that demonstrates the use of the Java 2D ^TM API with an JFC/Swing-based user interface. (May 2000)

Zooming In On Accessibility by Michael Meloan — Release Java 2
A journey from the big picture issues to the programming particulars of the Java Accessibility APIs. (April 1999)

Exploring AWT Layout Managers by Monica Pawlan — Release JDK 1.1
Using the latest web technology, this interactive article lets you launch a demonstration application and see the layout managers in action. (June 1998)

Programming a Dynamic User Interface by MuscleFish
How to create dynamically changing user-interface elements in the Java language. (March 1998)

Going With the Flow in Layouts by Ian McFarland — Release JDK 1.1
Layout management can be tricky, but Ian McFarland explains the basics, and shows you the code. (July 1997)

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