Event Handling in Java Using AWT & Swing Components

In Java, Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT) and Swing provide various components to create Graphical
User Interfaces (GUIs). These components include Frame, Panel, Button, Label, Checkbox, TextField,
and more.

Component in Java (AWT & Swing)

What is a Component in Java?

• In Java, Component is the base class for all graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can
be displayed on the screen.

• It is part of the Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT) package.

• All GUI elements such as Button, Label, TextField, Checkbox, Panel, List, Choice, and Canvas
are subclasses of Component.

• It provides methods to set size, color, font, visibility, and event handling.

Key Features of Component

• Graphical Representation: Can be displayed on the screen.

• User Interaction: Can accept user inputs (e.g., Button click, text input).

• Event Handling: Listens to user actions like mouse clicks or keyboard presses.

• Hierarchy: It is the parent class for all AWT components.

• Container Dependency: Must be added inside a Container like Frame or Panel.

Real-Life Example of a Component

Example Scenario: "Order Coffee in a Café"

• Imagine you visit a café where you order coffee.

• The café's touchscreen kiosk (like a McDonald's self-ordering machine) displays:

o A Label saying "Select Your Coffee."

o A Button named "Order Now."

o A TextField to enter your name.

o A Checkbox for "Add Sugar."

Java Program Example of a AWT Component
import java.awt.*;

public class CoffeeOrderApp {

public static void main(String[] args) {

// Create a Frame (Container)

Frame frame = new Frame("Coffee Order");

// Create Components

Label label = new Label("Select Your Coffee:");

Button orderButton = new Button("Order Now");

TextField nameField = new TextField("Enter your name here", 20);

Checkbox sugarCheckbox = new Checkbox("Add Sugar");

// Set Layout and Add Components

frame.setLayout(new FlowLayout());

frame.add(label);

frame.add(nameField);

frame.add(sugarCheckbox);

frame.add(orderButton);

// Frame Properties

frame.setSize(300, 200);

frame.setVisible(true);

}
Container in Java (AWT & Swing)
What is a Container in Java?

• A Container in Java is a special type of Component that can hold other components inside it.

• It is an essential part of the Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT).

• Containers help in grouping components (like buttons, labels, text fields) to manage layout
efficiently.

Types of Containers

1. Top-Level Containers (can exist independently):

o Frame

o Window

o Dialog

2. General-Purpose Containers (must be placed inside another container):

o Panel

o ScrollPane

Key Features of a Container

• Holds multiple components inside it.

• Manages layout of the components (FlowLayout, GridLayout, BorderLayout, etc.).

• Can be nested (one container inside another).

• Supports event handling for user interactions.

Real-Life Example of a Container

Example Scenario: "Self-Checkout Kiosk at a Supermarket"

• Imagine you are at a self-checkout machine at a supermarket.

• The touchscreen UI contains:

o A Panel displaying Item Selection (buttons for bread, milk, eggs).

o Another Panel displaying the Total Price & Checkout Button.

o The Panels are inside the Main Frame (the screen).

Window in Java (AWT & Swing)
What is a Window in Java?

• A Window in Java is a top-level container in Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT).

• It is a subclass of Container and does not have a title bar, menu bar, or border by default.

• Unlike Frame, a Window cannot exist independently; it requires another Frame or Window
as its owner.

Key Features of a Window

✔ Top-level container (it does not need to be placed inside another container).
✔ No title bar or borders (unlike Frame).
✔ Used for splash screens, popup windows, and custom dialogs.
✔ Cannot be minimized or maximized (unless it’s a subclass like Frame or Dialog).
✔ Requires an existing Frame or Window as a parent.

Real-Life Example of a Window

Scenario: "ATM Withdrawal Pop-up Confirmation"

• You use an ATM to withdraw cash.

• After entering the amount, a pop-up appears, asking:

o "Do you want to continue with this transaction?"

o Two buttons: Yes | No

• This pop-up does not have a title bar or minimize/maximize buttons—just a confirmation
dialog.

A Window in Java behaves similarly—it creates a temporary, borderless pop-up.

When to Use Window?

Pop-ups or Confirmation Boxes: ATM confirmations, exit prompts.

Splash Screens: Introductory screens before opening the main app.
Custom Dialogs: Borderless alerts.

Conclusion

• A Window is a top-level container without a title bar.

• It requires a parent (Frame or another Window).

• Used for pop-ups, confirmation messages, and splash screens.

• Can be customized with event handling (like Yes/No buttons).

Frame and Panel in Java (AWT) –
1. Frame in Java

What is a Frame?

• A Frame is a top-level window in Java AWT that contains a title bar, border, and buttons
(minimize, maximize, close).

• It is the main window of a Java GUI application.

• It inherits from Window, meaning it does not need a parent container.

Key Features of Frame

✔ Can exist independently (unlike Window).

✔ Supports title bars, menu bars, and borders.
✔ Can contain multiple components (buttons, labels, text fields, etc.).
✔ Can be resized, minimized, maximized, and closed.
✔ Uses layouts to arrange components (FlowLayout, GridLayout, etc.).

Real-Life Example of a Frame

Example Scenario: "Banking Application Window"

• When you open a banking app, the main screen appears with:

o A title bar showing the bank name.

o A menu bar with options like Home, Transactions, Logout.

o Buttons to Deposit, Withdraw, Transfer.

• This entire application window is a Frame in Java.

Comparison: Frame vs Window

Feature Frame Window

Title Bar Yes No

Can Exist Independently? Yes No

Has Minimize, Maximize, Close? Yes No

Used For Main application window Pop-ups, splash screens

2. Panel in Java
What is a Panel?

• A Panel is a general-purpose container used inside a Frame or another Container.

• It groups components together.

• It does not have a title bar, borders, or menu.

Key Features of Panel

✔ Used to organize components inside a Frame.

✔ Cannot exist independently (must be placed inside another container).
✔ Supports different layouts (FlowLayout, GridLayout, etc.).
✔ Used for creating sections inside a GUI.

Real-Life Example of a Panel

Example Scenario: "ATM Screen Layout"

• In an ATM machine, different sections are displayed:

o Account Info Panel (Balance, Account Number).

o Transaction Panel (Deposit, Withdraw buttons).

o Receipt Panel (Transaction Summary).

Each section is a Panel in Java.

Comparison: Frame vs Panel

Feature Frame Panel

Top-Level Container? Yes No

Has Title Bar? Yes No

Can Contain Other Components? Yes Yes

Used For Main application window Grouping UI elements

Use of AWT Controls in Java
AWT (Abstract Window Toolkit) provides various GUI components (controls) to create interactive
applications. These include Labels, Buttons, Checkboxes, Checkbox Groups, TextFields, and
TextAreas. Let’s understand each in detail with real-life examples and Java code examples.

1. Label in Java AWT

What is a Label?

• A Label is a non-editable text component used to display information or instructions.

• It cannot be modified by the user.

Real-Life Example of Label

✔ Online Forms: "Enter your Name", "Password", "Email".

✔ ATMs: "Available Balance: $5000".
✔ Mobile Apps: "Welcome to WhatsApp".

2. Button in Java AWT

What is a Button?

• A Button is an interactive component that triggers an action when clicked.

Real-Life Example of Button

✔ Websites: "Submit", "Login", "Sign Up" buttons.

✔ ATMs: "Withdraw", "Deposit", "Check Balance".
✔ Mobile Apps: "Send Message" in WhatsApp.

3. Checkbox in Java AWT

What is a Checkbox?

• A Checkbox is a component that allows users to select or deselect an option.

• Multiple checkboxes can be selected.

Real-Life Example of Checkbox

✔ Online Forms: "I accept Terms & Conditions".

✔ Shopping Websites: "Filter by Brand - Samsung, Apple, Sony".
✔ Mobile Apps: "Enable Notifications", "Dark Mode".
4. Checkbox Group in Java AWT
What is a Checkbox Group?

• A CheckboxGroup creates radio buttons, allowing only one selection.

• Unlike checkboxes, users cannot select multiple options.

Real-Life Example of Checkbox Group

✔ Online Forms: "Select Gender - Male / Female / Other".

✔ Pizza Order: "Select Size - Small / Medium / Large".
✔ ATMs: "Select Account Type - Savings / Current".

5. TextField in Java AWT

What is a TextField?

• A TextField is a one-line text input field.

• Used for user input (name, email, password, etc.).

Real-Life Example of TextField

✔ Login Forms: "Enter Username", "Enter Password".

✔ Online Search Boxes: "Search for Products".
✔ Mobile Apps: "Enter Mobile Number".

6. TextArea in Java AWT

What is a TextArea?

• A TextArea is a multi-line text input field.

• Used for comments, descriptions, or feedback.

Real-Life Example of TextArea

✔ Feedback Forms: "Write your feedback".

✔ Messaging Apps: "Type your message".
✔ Code Editors: Writing large pieces of text.
AWT Control Used For

Label Displaying text (not editable)

Button Performing actions on click

Checkbox Selecting multiple options

CheckboxGroup Selecting only one option (radio buttons)

TextField One-line text input

TextArea Multi-line text input

Java AWT Program: Designing a User Registration Form
import java.awt.*;

import java.awt.event.*;

public class RegistrationForm {

public static void main(String[] args) {

// Create Frame

Frame frame = new Frame("User Registration Form");

// Set Layout

frame.setLayout(new GridLayout(8, 2, 10, 10)); // 8 rows, 2 columns, spacing

// Create Components

Label nameLabel = new Label("Full Name:");

TextField nameField = new TextField(20);

Label emailLabel = new Label("Email:");

TextField emailField = new TextField(20);

Label genderLabel = new Label("Gender:");

CheckboxGroup genderGroup = new CheckboxGroup();

Checkbox male = new Checkbox("Male", genderGroup, false);

Checkbox female = new Checkbox("Female", genderGroup, false);

Label languageLabel = new Label("Known Languages:");

Checkbox java = new Checkbox("Java");

Checkbox python = new Checkbox("Python");

Checkbox cpp = new Checkbox("C++");

Label countryLabel = new Label("Country:");

 Choice countryChoice = new Choice();

countryChoice.add("India");

countryChoice.add("USA");

countryChoice.add("UK");

countryChoice.add("Australia");

Label addressLabel = new Label("Address:");

TextArea addressArea = new TextArea(3, 20);

Button submitButton = new Button("Submit");

Label messageLabel = new Label("");

// Event Handling for Submit Button

submitButton.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {

public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {

String name = nameField.getText();

String email = emailField.getText();

String gender = genderGroup.getSelectedCheckbox() != null ?

genderGroup.getSelectedCheckbox().getLabel() : "Not Selected";

String languages = (java.getState() ? "Java " : "") + (python.getState() ? "Python " : "") +
(cpp.getState() ? "C++" : "");

String country = countryChoice.getSelectedItem();

String address = addressArea.getText();

messageLabel.setText("Registration Successful!");

System.out.println("Registration Details:");

System.out.println("Name: " + name);

System.out.println("Email: " + email);

System.out.println("Gender: " + gender);

System.out.println("Languages: " + languages);

System.out.println("Country: " + country);

System.out.println("Address: " + address);

 }

});

// Add Components to Frame

frame.add(nameLabel); frame.add(nameField);

frame.add(emailLabel); frame.add(emailField);

frame.add(genderLabel); frame.add(male); frame.add(new Label("")); frame.add(female);

frame.add(languageLabel); frame.add(java); frame.add(new Label("")); frame.add(python);

frame.add(new Label("")); frame.add(cpp);

frame.add(countryLabel); frame.add(countryChoice);

frame.add(addressLabel); frame.add(addressArea);

frame.add(submitButton); frame.add(messageLabel);

// Set Frame Properties

frame.setSize(400, 400);

frame.setVisible(true);

// Close Frame on Window Close

frame.addWindowListener(new WindowAdapter() {

public void windowClosing(WindowEvent e) {

frame.dispose();

});

}
Output
+-----------------------------------+

| User Registration Form |

|-----------------------------------|

| Full Name: [ _______________ ] |

| Email: [ _______________ ] |

| Gender: ( ) Male ( ) Female |

| Known Languages: |

| [ ] Java [ ] Python [ ] C++ |

| Country: [ India ▼ ] |

| Address: |

| [ ______________________ ] |

| [ ______________________ ] |

| [ ______________________ ] |

| [ Submit ] Registration Successful! |

+-----------------------------------+