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Thread: Questions in creating GUI

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    Default Questions in creating GUI

    Can I create forms in Java using notepad? The only way I know is to use Eclipse IDE and its called SWT. Is there any other import available specifically in Java and not in Eclipse?


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    Default Re: Questions in creating GUI

    Yes you can, using the the same code as used in Eclipse. There may be some growing pains to get your environment set up, so start small with simple tutorials and work up from there.

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    Default Re: Questions in creating GUI

    When I tried creating a form on Eclipse, the import was org.eclipse.swt.widgets.*. I don't know if that will work when hand coded. I researched on Google saying I need to use awt. Other sites says I need to use swing. I'm confused on what is the basics on creating a GUI.

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    Default Re: Questions in creating GUI

    Quote Originally Posted by markandrewkato View Post
    When I tried creating a form on Eclipse, the import was org.eclipse.swt.widgets.*. I don't know if that will work when hand coded. I researched on Google saying I need to use awt. Other sites says I need to use swing. I'm confused on what is the basics on creating a GUI.
    AWT was the first GUI framework bundled with the Java SE (Standard Edition) framework. AWT is very limited and actually not much used. Swing was the second GUI framework introduced in Java SE and it's more sophisticated, more components, look&feels support, easy customizations, etc...
    SWT is not part of Java SE. SWT comes from the Eclipse Foundation. It uses a native library to access the native GUI libraries of the operating system.

    Since you would like to start with GUI development: start with Swing.
    The Oracle official tutorial is: Trail: Creating a GUI With JFC/Swing
    Andrea, www.andbin.netSCJP 5 (91%) – SCWCD 5 (94%)

    Useful links for Java beginnersMy new project Java Examples on Google Code

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    Default Re: Questions in creating GUI

    You asked if you could use SWT using Notepad. The answer is, "Yes, you can." As I suggested, you should find a basic SWT tutorial that includes instructions on how to get your environment set up correctly. What the tutorial should tell you is to download swt.jar and add that to your jar files on the CLASSPATH.

    If your question is really whether you should use AWT, SWT, or Swing (or JavaFX) to create GUI applications in Java, then the answer to that that is a personal choice just as using Notepad or Netbeans instead of Eclipse is a personal choice. Try all 3 toolkits and see which you prefer, but don't expect or even allow someone or Google to make the personal choice for you.

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    Default Re: Questions in creating GUI

    @andbin Thank you very much! It was a very neat explanation. Now I understand the difference and uses of these three. I'll try your suggestion in starting out with swing.

    @GregBrannon Sorry my question is very misleading. Now I know its a personal choice which to use with these three. I'll also try these three after I'm done studying with the swing framework so I'll get an idea on which is the best to use. Thanks!

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