what does this Java programming error mean?

[gopster01]

I am coding a simple calculator in Eclipse version 4.3.1 and I get this message when I run the program:

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.IllegalArgumentException: adding container's parent to itself
at java.awt.Container.checkAddToSelf(Unknown Source)
at java.awt.Container.addImpl(Unknown Source)
at java.awt.Container.add(Unknown Source)
at FunctionalCalculator.<init>(FunctionalCalculator.j ava:98)
at FunctionalCalculator.main(FunctionalCalculator.jav a:152)


here are the code:

import javax.swing.*;
 
	import java.awt.GridLayout;
 
 
	import java.awt.BorderLayout;
 
 
 
 
public class FunctionalCalculator{
 
	JTextField Field = new JTextField(30);
	JButton button0=new JButton("0");
	JButton button1=new JButton("1");
	JButton button2=new JButton("2");
	JButton button3=new JButton("3");
 
	JButton button4=new JButton("4");
	JButton button5=new JButton("5");
	JButton button6=new JButton("6");
	JButton button7=new JButton("7");
	JButton button8=new JButton("8");
	JButton button9=new JButton("9");
	JButton Minus=new JButton ("-");
	JButton Add=new JButton ("+");
	JButton Divide=new JButton ("/");
	JButton Multiply=new JButton ("*");
 
	JButton FullStop= new JButton(".");
	JButton Equal= new JButton("=");
 
 
	JPanel pl = new JPanel();
 
 
 
 
		FunctionalCalculator() {
	    //first line is written to assign windowContent into a new object JPanel().
 
 
		BorderLayout bl = new BorderLayout();
 
 
		pl.setLayout(bl);
 
 
		pl.add("North", Field);
 
		JPanel pl = new JPanel();
 
 
		GridLayout grid = new GridLayout (4,3);
 
 
		pl.setLayout(grid);
 
 
		pl.add(button1);
		pl.add(button2);
		pl.add(button3);
		pl.add(button4);
		pl.add(button5);
		pl.add(button6);
		pl.add(button7);
		pl.add(button8);
		pl.add(button9);
		pl.add(button0);
		pl.add(FullStop);
		pl.add(Equal);
 
 
		pl.add("Center",pl);
 
 
		JPanel part2= new JPanel();
		GridLayout grid2 =new GridLayout(4,1);
		part2.setLayout(grid2);
		part2.add(Add);
		part2.add(Minus);
		part2.add(Multiply);
		part2.add(Divide);
 
		/*the new panel is added to the east (right)*/
		pl.add("east",part2);
		/*the panel is assigned with a title called calculator */
		JFrame frame = new JFrame("Calculator");
 
 
		frame.setContentPane(pl);
 
 
		frame.pack();
 
 
		frame.setVisible(true);
 
 
		CalculatorFunctionality function= new CalculatorFunctionality(this);
 
		button0.addActionListener(function);
		button1.addActionListener(function);
		button2.addActionListener(function);
		button3.addActionListener(function);
		button4.addActionListener(function);
		button5.addActionListener(function);
		button7.addActionListener(function);
		button8.addActionListener(function);
		button9.addActionListener(function);
 
 
		FullStop.addActionListener(function);
	    Add.addActionListener(function);
		Minus.addActionListener(function);
		Divide.addActionListener(function);
		Multiply.addActionListener(function);
		Equal.addActionListener(function);
 
		}
 
 
		public static void main(String[] args){
 
			FunctionalCalculator calculator= new FunctionalCalculator();
 
 
 
		}
}

here is the second code:

import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
 
import javax.swing.JButton;
 
public class CalculatorFunctionality implements ActionListener {
 
	FunctionalCalculator parent; 
 
 
	char SelectedMath=' ';
 
 
	double currentResult=0;
 
 
	CalculatorFunctionality(FunctionalCalculator parent){
	this.parent=parent;
	}
 
 
	public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e){
 
	JButton ClickedButton=(JButton) e.getSource();
 
	String DispTextField = parent.Field.getText();
 
	double DisplayValue=0;
 
	if(!"".equals(DispTextField)){
		DisplayValue= Double.parseDouble(DispTextField);		
 
	}
	//
	Object src = e.getSource();
 
	if(src==parent.Add){
		SelectedMath='+';
		currentResult=DisplayValue;
 
		parent.Field.setText("");
	}
 
	else if(src==parent.Minus){
		SelectedMath='-';
		currentResult=DisplayValue;
		//clears text box when user presses new button in calculator.
		parent.Field.setText("");
	}
 
	else if(src==parent.Divide){
		SelectedMath='/';
		currentResult=DisplayValue;
 
		parent.Field.setText("");
	}
 
	else if(src==parent.Multiply){
		SelectedMath='*';
		currentResult=DisplayValue;
 
		parent.Field.setText("");
	}
 
	else if(src==parent.Equal){
 
		if(SelectedMath=='+')
		currentResult=DisplayValue;
		parent.Field.setText(""+currentResult);
 
	}
 
	else if(SelectedMath=='-'){
		currentResult=DisplayValue;
		parent.Field.setText(""+currentResult);
	}
 
	else if(SelectedMath=='/'){
		currentResult=DisplayValue;
		parent.Field.setText(""+ currentResult);
	}
 
	else if(SelectedMath=='*'){
		currentResult=DisplayValue;
		parent.Field.setText(""+ currentResult);
	}
 
	else{
		String ButtonLabelClicked= ClickedButton.getText();
 
		parent.Field.setText(DispTextField + ButtonLabelClicked);
 
	}
 
	}
 
 
	}

[andbin]

Exception in thread "main" java.lang.IllegalArgumentException: adding container's parent to itself

		pl.add("Center",pl);

This is certainly wrong. You can't add a component into itself.

And also note, the add version:

add(String name, Component comp)

is obsolete, please use:

add(Component comp, Object constraints)

And for BorderLayout areas, don't use literal strings, instead use the declared constants, e.g. BorderLayout.NORTH

[gopster01]

how do i change the pl.add("center",pl) to cos if i remove it then the buttons and components in the calculator is positioned incorrectly.

[andbin]

how do i change the pl.add("center",pl) to cos if i remove it then the buttons and components in the calculator is positioned incorrectly.

I don't/can't know what are your expectations about the layout/appearance of your user interface .... clarify and explain please.

(in other words: describe with words your UI)

[gopster01]

calculator.jpg

this is how the calculator should look like

[andbin]

calculator.jpg

this is how the calculator should look like

Firstly, you need a "container" with a BorderLayout. This container could be directly the content-pane of JFrame or a JPanel which in turn is into the content-pane .... in the end it's not very different.

In the NORTH area you can put a JTextField and here we can't have doubts. In the CENTER area you need another container (JPanel) with another layout manager. If you use GridLayout you can have many JButton in grid, but note that they will have the same size. I see in the picture that the last column on the right has a smaller width. If you want this difference, GridLayout is not appropriate. You need for example GridBagLayout, however it is more complex than GridLayout.

Evalutate what I have described, ask if necessary or if you have any further questions.

[gopster01]

calc without textbox.jpg

i just need to insert the textbox at the top but I do not know how to. plz help

[gopster01]

import javax.swing.*;
//lays out a grid by row and column.
//http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kRuphQfpHioC&pg=PA388&dq=gridlayout+java& hl=en&sa=X&ei=O0HEUq3zAdSZ0QWxq4DoDw&ved=0CFgQ6AEw Bg#v=onepage&q=gridlayout%20java&f=false
import java.awt.GridLayout;

/*used to call the BorderLayout. Arranges layout by north, east, south and west.
* North= top, east=right, south=bottom and west=left.
* Sams Teach Yourself Java in 24 Hours (Covering Java 7 and Android) - Rogers Cadenhead - Google Books
*/
import java.awt.BorderLayout;

//event library used to call events to make the calculator button function


public class FunctionalCalculator{

JTextField Field = new JTextField(30);
JButton button0=new JButton("0");
JButton button1=new JButton("1");
JButton button2=new JButton("2");
JButton button3=new JButton("3");

JButton button4=new JButton("4");
JButton button5=new JButton("5");
JButton button6=new JButton("6");
JButton button7=new JButton("7");
JButton button8=new JButton("8");
JButton button9=new JButton("9");
JButton Minus=new JButton ("-");
JButton Add=new JButton ("+");
JButton Divide=new JButton ("/");
JButton Multiply=new JButton ("*");
//buttonPoint is assigned with a full stop (.) and Equal is assigned with an equal sign
//(=).
JButton FullStop= new JButton(".");
JButton Equal= new JButton("=");
JPanel pl = new JPanel();
//the variable p1 is set as a JPanel object.

/*JPanel sets the panel of the calculator. JTextField to display the text field.
* JButton to assign the buttons from 0 to 9 and the equal and decimal button. JPanel is
* used organise the contents in the panel.
* the names in the blue are the names in blue are the names assigned for each of the
* buttons. */

//calculator method
FunctionalCalculator() {

pl = new JPanel();
BorderLayout bl = new BorderLayout ();
pl.setLayout(bl);
Field = new JTextField(30);
pl.add("North", Field);
//first line is written to assign windowContent into a new object JPanel().

/*Second line
* used to create a BorderLayout object with the variable name b1. b1 has been assigned
* the BorderLayout layout for the calculator. The BorderLayout sets the content using
* north, east, south, west and centre. north=top, east=right, south=down, west=left and
* center=centre. */

//windowContent (the panel) is assigned the BorderLayout layout.
pl.setLayout(bl);

/*assigns the TextBox into an object named JTextField() with the size 30.*/
BorderLayout fld = new BorderLayout();
pl.setLayout(fld);
pl.add(Field);

/*the TextBox is set at the top of the panel.*/




//button0 to button9 are assigned with the numbers from 0 to 9.


//the variable p1 is set as a JPanel object.
JPanel pl = new JPanel();

/*the variable g1 is assigned with a GridLayout with the column 4 and row 3.*/
GridLayout grid = new GridLayout (4,1);

//the JPanel assigned variable p1 been set the GridLayout (row by column).
pl.setLayout(grid);

/*the contents are assigned to the calculator panel.*/

pl.add(button1);
pl.add(button2);
pl.add(button3);
pl.add(Add);
pl.add(button4);
pl.add(button5);
pl.add(button6);
pl.add(Minus);
pl.add(button7);
pl.add(button8);
pl.add(button9);
pl.add(Multiply);
pl.add(button0);
pl.add(FullStop);
pl.add(Equal);
pl.add(Divide);

/*the contents within the variable p1 are added to the panel and are displayed at the
* centre*/


/**/

/*the new panel is added to the east (right)*/

/*the panel is assigned with a title called calculator */
JFrame frame = new JFrame("Calculator");

//adds the components within windowContent (see above for contents within it)
//inside the calculator panel.
//http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/uiswing/components/toplevel.html (reference link)
frame.setContentPane(pl);

//pack() is used to automatically set the size of the panel to fit the contents within it.
//found this out by removing the code.
frame.pack();

//allows the calculator to be viewable instead of being invisible.
frame.setVisible(true);


CalculatorFunctionality function= new CalculatorFunctionality(this);

button0.addActionListener(function);
button1.addActionListener(function);
button2.addActionListener(function);
button3.addActionListener(function);
button4.addActionListener(function);
button5.addActionListener(function);
button7.addActionListener(function);
button8.addActionListener(function);
button9.addActionListener(function);


FullStop.addActionListener(function);
Add.addActionListener(function);
Minus.addActionListener(function);
Divide.addActionListener(function);
Multiply.addActionListener(function);
Equal.addActionListener(function);

}


public static void main(String[] args){

FunctionalCalculator calculator= new FunctionalCalculator();



}
}


i still cant seem to add the textbox. plz help

[GregBrannon]

Welcome! Please read this topic to learn how to post code in code or highlight tags and other useful info for newcomers.

[gopster01]

import javax.swing.*;
//lays out a grid by row and column.
	//http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kRuphQfpHioC&pg=PA388&dq=gridlayout+java&hl=en&sa=X&ei=O0HEUq3zAdSZ0QWxq4DoDw&ved=0CFgQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=gridlayout%20java&f=false
	import java.awt.GridLayout;
 
/*used to call the BorderLayout. Arranges layout by north, east, south and west.
 *  North= top, east=right, south=bottom and west=left.
 *  [url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Mog8BYlK1fQC&pg=PA190&dq=borderlayout+java&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bEDEUravMseb0wXhroD4Ag&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=borderlayout%20java&f=false]Sams Teach Yourself Java in 24 Hours (Covering Java 7 and Android) - Rogers Cadenhead - Google Books[/url]
 */
	import java.awt.BorderLayout;
 
	//event library used to call events to make the calculator button function
 
 
public class FunctionalCalculator{
 
	JTextField Field = new JTextField(30);
	JButton button0=new JButton("0");
	JButton button1=new JButton("1");
	JButton button2=new JButton("2");
	JButton button3=new JButton("3");
 
	JButton button4=new JButton("4");
	JButton button5=new JButton("5");
	JButton button6=new JButton("6");
	JButton button7=new JButton("7");
	JButton button8=new JButton("8");
	JButton button9=new JButton("9");
	JButton Minus=new JButton ("-");
	JButton Add=new JButton ("+");
	JButton Divide=new JButton ("/");
	JButton Multiply=new JButton ("*");
	//buttonPoint is assigned with a full stop (.) and Equal is assigned with an equal sign
	//(=).
	JButton FullStop= new JButton(".");
	JButton Equal= new JButton("=");
	JPanel pl = new JPanel();
	JPanel text=new JPanel();
 
	//the variable p1 is set as a JPanel object.
 
		/*JPanel sets the panel of the calculator. JTextField to display the text field.
		 * JButton to assign the buttons from 0 to 9 and the equal and decimal button. JPanel is 
		 * used organise the contents in the panel.
		 * the names in the blue are the names in blue are the names assigned for each of the 
		 * buttons.  */
 
		//calculator method
		FunctionalCalculator() {
 
 
 
 
		/*Second line 
		 * used to create a BorderLayout object with the variable name b1. b1 has been assigned
		 * the BorderLayout layout for the calculator. The BorderLayout sets the content using
		 * north, east, south, west and centre. north=top, east=right, south=down, west=left and
		 * center=centre. */
			BorderLayout bl = new BorderLayout();
		//windowContent (the panel) is assigned the BorderLayout layout.
		pl.setLayout(bl);
 
		/*assigns the TextBox into an object named JTextField() with the size 30.*/
 
		/*the TextBox is set at the top of the panel.*/
		JPanel text= new JPanel();
		BorderLayout textlay= new BorderLayout();
 
		text.setLayout(textlay);
 
		text.add("North",Field);
 
		//button0 to button9 are assigned with the numbers from 0 to 9.
 
 
		//the variable p1 is set as a JPanel object.
		JPanel pl = new JPanel();
 
		/*the variable g1 is assigned with a GridLayout with the column 4 and row 3.*/
		GridLayout grid = new GridLayout (4,1);
 
		//the JPanel assigned variable p1 been set the GridLayout (row by column).
		pl.setLayout(grid);
 
		/*the contents are assigned to the calculator panel.*/
 
		pl.add(button1);
		pl.add(button2);
		pl.add(button3);
		pl.add(Add);
		pl.add(button4);
		pl.add(button5);
		pl.add(button6);
		pl.add(Minus);
		pl.add(button7);
		pl.add(button8);
		pl.add(button9);
		pl.add(Multiply);
		pl.add(button0);
		pl.add(FullStop);
		pl.add(Equal);
		pl.add(Divide);
 
		/*the contents within the variable p1 are added to the panel and are displayed at the 
		 * centre*/
 
 
		/**/
 
		/*the new panel is added to the east (right)*/
 
		/*the panel is assigned with a title called calculator */
		JFrame frame = new JFrame("Calculator");
 
		//adds the components within windowContent (see above for contents within it) 
		//inside the calculator panel.
		//http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/uiswing/components/toplevel.html (reference link)
		frame.setContentPane(pl);
 
		//pack() is used to automatically set the size of the panel to fit the contents within it.
		//found this out by removing the code.
		frame.pack();
 
		//allows the calculator to be viewable instead of being invisible.
		frame.setVisible(true);
 
 
		CalculatorFunctionality function= new CalculatorFunctionality(this);
 
		button0.addActionListener(function);
		button1.addActionListener(function);
		button2.addActionListener(function);
		button3.addActionListener(function);
		button4.addActionListener(function);
		button5.addActionListener(function);
		button7.addActionListener(function);
		button8.addActionListener(function);
		button9.addActionListener(function);
 
 
		FullStop.addActionListener(function);
	    Add.addActionListener(function);
		Minus.addActionListener(function);
		Divide.addActionListener(function);
		Multiply.addActionListener(function);
		Equal.addActionListener(function);
 
		}
 
 
		public static void main(String[] args){
 
			FunctionalCalculator calculator= new FunctionalCalculator();
 
 
 
		}
}

i tried modifying the code but I still could not get the text box to appear on the calculator.
Here is the image of how the calculator:
calc without textbox.jpg

if the text box is set at the top if the buttons, then my calculator should be fixed. plz help

[andbin]

pl = new JPanel();
BorderLayout bl = new BorderLayout ();
pl.setLayout(bl);
Field = new JTextField(30);
pl.add("North", Field);
 
pl.setLayout(bl);
 
BorderLayout fld = new BorderLayout();
pl.setLayout(fld);
pl.add(Field);
 
JPanel pl = new JPanel();
 
GridLayout grid = new GridLayout (4,1);
 
pl.setLayout(grid);
 
 
pl.add(button1);
pl.add(button2);
pl.add(button3);
pl.add(Add);
pl.add(button4);
pl.add(button5);
pl.add(button6);
pl.add(Minus);
pl.add(button7);
pl.add(button8);
pl.add(button9);
pl.add(Multiply);
pl.add(button0);
pl.add(FullStop);
pl.add(Equal);
pl.add(Divide);
 
JFrame frame = new JFrame("Calculator");
 
frame.setContentPane(pl);

Sorry, but the code I see here is very confused and with useless things.

First, you set 3 times a BorderLayout on pl. You added 2 times Field in pl, one time in "North" (before, I have told you not to use that add version and not to use literal strings like "North") and the second time with no constraint (which means: put in the center area!).

Then you defined a local variable pl with the same name of the instance variable (bad choice) and you set on this a GridLayout.
And the worst part is that you set this last pl (the grid) as the new content pane, vanishing all the rest you have done.

Try to be more accurate, clear and think carefully each step. As long as you write code so confused .... you will not go very far ...

[gopster01]

import javax.swing.*;
//lays out a grid by row and column.
	//http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kRuphQfpHioC&pg=PA388&dq=gridlayout+java&hl=en&sa=X&ei=O0HEUq3zAdSZ0QWxq4DoDw&ved=0CFgQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=gridlayout%20java&f=false
	import java.awt.GridLayout;
 
/*used to call the BorderLayout. Arranges layout by north, east, south and west.
 *  North= top, east=right, south=bottom and west=left.
 *  [url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Mog8BYlK1fQC&pg=PA190&dq=borderlayout+java&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bEDEUravMseb0wXhroD4Ag&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=borderlayout%20java&f=false]Sams Teach Yourself Java in 24 Hours (Covering Java 7 and Android) - Rogers Cadenhead - Google Books[/url]
 */
	import java.awt.BorderLayout;
 
	//event library used to call events to make the calculator button function
 
 
public class FunctionalCalculator{
 
	JTextField Field = new JTextField(30);
	JButton button0=new JButton("0");
	JButton button1=new JButton("1");
	JButton button2=new JButton("2");
	JButton button3=new JButton("3");
 
	JButton button4=new JButton("4");
	JButton button5=new JButton("5");
	JButton button6=new JButton("6");
	JButton button7=new JButton("7");
	JButton button8=new JButton("8");
	JButton button9=new JButton("9");
	JButton Minus=new JButton ("-");
	JButton Add=new JButton ("+");
	JButton Divide=new JButton ("/");
	JButton Multiply=new JButton ("*");
	//buttonPoint is assigned with a full stop (.) and Equal is assigned with an equal sign
	//(=).
	JButton FullStop= new JButton(".");
	JButton Equal= new JButton("=");
	JPanel pl = new JPanel();
	JPanel text=new JPanel();
 
	//the variable p1 is set as a JPanel object.
 
		/*JPanel sets the panel of the calculator. JTextField to display the text field.
		 * JButton to assign the buttons from 0 to 9 and the equal and decimal button. JPanel is 
		 * used organise the contents in the panel.
		 * the names in the blue are the names in blue are the names assigned for each of the 
		 * buttons.  */
 
		//calculator method
		FunctionalCalculator() {
 
 
 
 
		/*Second line 
		 * used to create a BorderLayout object with the variable name b1. b1 has been assigned
		 * the BorderLayout layout for the calculator. The BorderLayout sets the content using
		 * north, east, south, west and centre. north=top, east=right, south=down, west=left and
		 * center=centre. */
			BorderLayout bl = new BorderLayout();
		//windowContent (the panel) is assigned the BorderLayout layout.
		pl.setLayout(bl);
 
		/*assigns the TextBox into an object named JTextField() with the size 30.*/
 
		/*the TextBox is set at the top of the panel.*/
		JPanel text= new JPanel();
		BorderLayout textlay= new BorderLayout();
 
		text.setLayout(textlay);
 
		text.add("North",Field);
 
		//button0 to button9 are assigned with the numbers from 0 to 9.
 
 
		//the variable p1 is set as a JPanel object.
		JPanel pl = new JPanel();
 
		/*the variable g1 is assigned with a GridLayout with the column 4 and row 3.*/
		GridLayout grid = new GridLayout (4,1);
 
		//the JPanel assigned variable p1 been set the GridLayout (row by column).
		pl.setLayout(grid);
 
		/*the contents are assigned to the calculator panel.*/
 
		pl.add(button1);
		pl.add(button2);
		pl.add(button3);
		pl.add(Add);
		pl.add(button4);
		pl.add(button5);
		pl.add(button6);
		pl.add(Minus);
		pl.add(button7);
		pl.add(button8);
		pl.add(button9);
		pl.add(Multiply);
		pl.add(button0);
		pl.add(FullStop);
		pl.add(Equal);
		pl.add(Divide);
 
		/*the contents within the variable p1 are added to the panel and are displayed at the 
		 * centre*/
 
 
		/**/
 
		/*the new panel is added to the east (right)*/
 
		/*the panel is assigned with a title called calculator */
		JFrame frame = new JFrame("Calculator");
 
		//adds the components within windowContent (see above for contents within it) 
		//inside the calculator panel.
		//http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/uiswing/components/toplevel.html (reference link)
		frame.setContentPane(pl);
 
		//pack() is used to automatically set the size of the panel to fit the contents within it.
		//found this out by removing the code.
		frame.pack();
 
		//allows the calculator to be viewable instead of being invisible.
		frame.setVisible(true);
 
 
		CalculatorFunctionality function= new CalculatorFunctionality(this);
 
		button0.addActionListener(function);
		button1.addActionListener(function);
		button2.addActionListener(function);
		button3.addActionListener(function);
		button4.addActionListener(function);
		button5.addActionListener(function);
		button7.addActionListener(function);
		button8.addActionListener(function);
		button9.addActionListener(function);
 
 
		FullStop.addActionListener(function);
	    Add.addActionListener(function);
		Minus.addActionListener(function);
		Divide.addActionListener(function);
		Multiply.addActionListener(function);
		Equal.addActionListener(function);
 
		}
 
 
		public static void main(String[] args){
 
			FunctionalCalculator calculator= new FunctionalCalculator();
 
 
 
		}
}

--- Update ---

this is the newly updated code (above)

[andbin]

		JPanel pl = new JPanel();
 
		GridLayout grid = new GridLayout (4,1);
 
		pl.setLayout(grid);
 
		pl.add(button1);
		pl.add(button2);
		pl.add(button3);
		pl.add(Add);
		pl.add(button4);
		pl.add(button5);
		pl.add(button6);
		pl.add(Minus);
		pl.add(button7);
		pl.add(button8);
		pl.add(button9);
		pl.add(Multiply);
		pl.add(button0);
		pl.add(FullStop);
		pl.add(Equal);
		pl.add(Divide);
 
		JFrame frame = new JFrame("Calculator");
 
		frame.setContentPane(pl);

Did you understand that this 'pl', being set as the content pane is the only thing visible in the frame?

[gopster01]

i tried adding another JFrame for the textbox but that did not work. because i seem to only make one visible with JFrame and not both.

[andbin]

i tried adding another JFrame for the textbox but that did not work. because i seem to only make one visible with JFrame and not both.

Listen, try to understand and follow these macro-steps:

1) Create a JTextField, named e.g. inputField.
2) Create a JPanel, named e.g. buttonsPanel, set a GridLayout on it and add all the N buttons.
3) Get the content pane and add the inputField in north. Use the general form:
frame.getContentPane().add(theComponent, BorderLayout.XYZ);
(XYZ one of NORTH, etc)
4) Get the content pane and add the buttonsPanel in center.

Or as alternative:

1) / 2) same as above
3) Create a second JPanel, named e.g. containerPanel, set a BorderLayout on it.
4) Add inputField in north of containerPanel.
5) Add buttonsPanel in center of containerPanel.
6) Get the content pane and add the containerPanel in center OR, better, set containerPanel as the content pane.

At your choice.

[gopster01]

it does not work, will you be able to show me a code to write and try. Cos I tried your method as how I understood it and it did not seem to work.

import javax.swing.*;
//lays out a grid by row and column.
	//http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kRuphQfpHioC&pg=PA388&dq=gridlayout+java&hl=en&sa=X&ei=O0HEUq3zAdSZ0QWxq4DoDw&ved=0CFgQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=gridlayout%20java&f=false
	import java.awt.GridLayout;
 
/*used to call the BorderLayout. Arranges layout by north, east, south and west.
 *  North= top, east=right, south=bottom and west=left.
 *  [url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Mog8BYlK1fQC&pg=PA190&dq=borderlayout+java&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bEDEUravMseb0wXhroD4Ag&ved=0CDcQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=borderlayout%20java&f=false]Sams Teach Yourself Java in 24 Hours (Covering Java 7 and Android) - Rogers Cadenhead - Google Books[/url]
 */
	import java.awt.BorderLayout;
 
	//event library used to call events to make the calculator button function
 
 
public class FunctionalCalculator {
 
	JTextField Field = new JTextField(30);
	JButton button0=new JButton("0");
	JButton button1=new JButton("1");
	JButton button2=new JButton("2");
	JButton button3=new JButton("3");
 
	JButton button4=new JButton("4");
	JButton button5=new JButton("5");
	JButton button6=new JButton("6");
	JButton button7=new JButton("7");
	JButton button8=new JButton("8");
	JButton button9=new JButton("9");
	JButton Minus=new JButton ("-");
	JButton Add=new JButton ("+");
	JButton Divide=new JButton ("/");
	JButton Multiply=new JButton ("*");
	//buttonPoint is assigned with a full stop (.) and Equal is assigned with an equal sign
	//(=).
	JButton FullStop= new JButton(".");
	JButton Equal= new JButton("=");
	JPanel pl = new JPanel();
 
	//the variable p1 is set as a JPanel object.
 
		/*JPanel sets the panel of the calculator. JTextField to display the text field.
		 * JButton to assign the buttons from 0 to 9 and the equal and decimal button. JPanel is 
		 * used organise the contents in the panel.
		 * the names in the blue are the names in blue are the names assigned for each of the 
		 * buttons.  */
 
		//calculator method
		public FunctionalCalculator() {
 
 
 
 
		/*Second line 
		 * used to create a BorderLayout object with the variable name b1. b1 has been assigned
		 * the BorderLayout layout for the calculator. The BorderLayout sets the content using
		 * north, east, south, west and centre. north=top, east=right, south=down, west=left and
		 * center=centre. */
			BorderLayout bl = new BorderLayout(4,1);
		//windowContent (the panel) is assigned the BorderLayout layout.
		pl.setLayout(bl);
 
		/*assigns the TextBox into an object named JTextField() with the size 30.*/
 
		/*the TextBox is set at the top of the panel.*/
 
 
		//button0 to button9 are assigned with the numbers from 0 to 9.
 
 
		//the variable p1 is set as a JPanel object.
		JPanel pl = new JPanel();
 
		/*the variable g1 is assigned with a GridLayout with the column 4 and row 3.*/
		GridLayout grid = new GridLayout (4,1);
 
 
 
 
 
		//the JPanel assigned variable p1 been set the GridLayout (row by column).
 
 
		/*the contents within the variable p1 are added to the panel and are displayed at the 
		 * centre*/
 
 
 
		pl.setLayout(grid);
 
		/*the contents are assigned to the calculator panel.*/
 
		pl.add(button1);
		pl.add(button2);
		pl.add(button3);
		pl.add(Add);
		pl.add(button4);
		pl.add(button5);
		pl.add(button6);
		pl.add(Minus);
		pl.add(button7);
		pl.add(button8);
		pl.add(button9);
		pl.add(Multiply);
		pl.add(button0);
		pl.add(FullStop);
		pl.add(Equal);
		pl.add(Divide);
		/**/
 
		/*the new panel is added to the east (right)*/
 
		/*the panel is assigned with a title called calculator */
		JFrame frame = new JFrame("Calculator");
 
	    frame.setContentPane(pl);
 
 
 
		//adds the components within windowContent (see above for contents within it) 
		//inside the calculator panel.
		//http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/uiswing/components/toplevel.html (reference link)
 
		frame.setContentPane(pl);
 
 
		//pack() is used to automatically set the size of the panel to fit the contents within it.
		//found this out by removing the code.
		frame.pack();
 
 
 
		//allows the calculator to be viewable instead of being invisible.
		frame.setVisible(true);
 
 
 
 
		//calls the codes in CalculatorFunctionality to be used on this class. Also 
		//Also 
		CalculatorFunctionality function= new CalculatorFunctionality(this);
 
		button0.addActionListener(function);
		button1.addActionListener(function);
		button2.addActionListener(function);
		button3.addActionListener(function);
		button4.addActionListener(function);
		button5.addActionListener(function);
		button7.addActionListener(function);
		button8.addActionListener(function);
		button9.addActionListener(function);
 
 
		FullStop.addActionListener(function);
	    Add.addActionListener(function);
		Minus.addActionListener(function);
		Divide.addActionListener(function);
		Multiply.addActionListener(function);
		Equal.addActionListener(function);
 
		}
 
 
		public static void main(String[] args){
 
			FunctionalCalculator calculator= new FunctionalCalculator();
 
 
 
		}
}

--- Update ---

if this text box is sorted, then I can move on to making the calculator function as best as I possibly could. I feel irritated that I cannot seem to figure out how to fix this problem. I even tried to create a new JPanel seperately for the text box but unfortunately that does not work.

[andbin]

I tried your method as how I understood it

And then it means that you have not understood ..... From the last code I see, you have not done any progress, you are still using the same ugly names (e.g. pl as instance variable and also as local variable) and now there are also 2 frame.setContentPane(pl);, one is obviously useless. And you have not done any of the things I said.

It seems you are very confused. Please take a big breathe, remove all things you have done (or start creating a new class), and try one of the options I have described, preferably the first that is more simple:

1) Create a JTextField, named e.g. inputField.
2) Create a JPanel, named e.g. buttonsPanel, set a GridLayout on it and add all the N buttons.
3) Get the content pane and add the inputField in north. Use the general form:
frame.getContentPane().add(theComponent, BorderLayout.XYZ);
(XYZ one of NORTH, etc)
4) Get the content pane and add the buttonsPanel in center.

[gopster01]

what do you mean 'XYZ of NORTH'? do you means the XYZ coordinates?

--- Update ---

i don't get the third part, could you explain that more clearly, plz.

--- Update ---

//to assign 
import java.awt.*;
//
import javax.swing.*;
 
 
public class Calculator {
//sets the frame which is the window of the calculator. Where the buttons and the contents are
//presented. Basically its the background box. This frame is assigned the name "Calculator".
JFrame Frame = new JFrame("Calculator");	
//sets the textbox for the calculator. the maximum field size is 30.
JTextField inPutText = new JTextField(30);
//this JPanel is created to seperately to add the buttons uniquely on its on section.
//its almost like a graphical variable to store the buttons.
JPanel buttonPanel = new JPanel();
//number buttons
JButton btn1 = new JButton("1");
JButton btn2 = new JButton("2");
JButton btn3 = new JButton("3");
JButton btn4 = new JButton("4");
JButton btn5 = new JButton("5");
JButton btn6 = new JButton("6");
JButton btn7 = new JButton("7");
JButton btn8 = new JButton("8");
JButton btn9 = new JButton("9");
JButton btn0 = new JButton("0");
//math buttons
JButton btnPlus = new JButton("+");
JButton btnMinus = new JButton("-");
JButton btnMultiply = new JButton("*");
JButton btnDivide = new JButton("/");
//full stop and equal button.
JButton btnEqual = new JButton("=");
JButton btnBulletPoint = new JButton(".");
 
 
public Calculator(){
	//sets a grid layout for the calculator 4 by 1.
	GridLayout buttonBorder = new GridLayout(4,1);
	//sets the fram visible to view the calculator itself.
	Frame.setVisible(true);
	//sets the frame size by 200 by 200.
	Frame.setSize(200,200);
	//sets the button panel visible to view the buttons.
	buttonPanel.setVisible(true);
	//the button panel is assigned witt grid layout.
	buttonPanel.setLayout(buttonBorder);
	//added the buttons onto the Frame (Window)
	 Frame.add(buttonPanel);
	//assigning the buttons to the Frame using the panel made for the buttons.
	buttonPanel.add(btn1);
	buttonPanel.add(btn2);
	buttonPanel.add(btn3);
	buttonPanel.add(btnPlus);
	buttonPanel.add(btn4);
	buttonPanel.add(btn5);
	buttonPanel.add(btn6);
	buttonPanel.add(btnMinus);
	buttonPanel.add(btn7);
	buttonPanel.add(btn8);
	buttonPanel.add(btn9);
	buttonPanel.add(btnMultiply);
	buttonPanel.add(btn0);
	buttonPanel.add(btn0);
	buttonPanel.add(btnBulletPoint);
	buttonPanel.add(btnEqual);
	buttonPanel.add(btnDivide);
 
 
	//assigning the text box on the Frame itself at the top of the box.
	Frame.add(inPutText,BorderLayout.NORTH);
 
 
	//public Calculator end bracket	
 
}
	public static void main(String[] args)
	{
		//
		Calculator calc = new Calculator();
 
 
//end of main 
	}
//end of class Calculator.	
}

i managed to lay it out successfully.

--- Update ---

thanks for having patience in me and helping me out andbin. You have really helped me out.
thank you.

[andbin]

what do you mean 'XYZ of NORTH'? do you means the XYZ coordinates?

XYZ .... one of NORTH, SOUTH etc in BorderLayout.
Please, see and always keep handy the javadoc documentation!

BorderLayout (Java Platform SE 7 )

i managed to lay it out successfully.

Your code is still a bit "confused" and not well written but the end result is what you wanted. However it can even be improved.