GridbagConstraints and Insets errors in GUI

[Jason Attin]

Hello there, I wonder if you can help me with this please. I have to build the attached GUI as exercise (exercise.jpg), but I am getting a lot of errors on the console.
OK so the code is available on pastebin here:
http://pastebin.com/AFt4974J
http://pastebin.com/0qXG8xAL
An excerpt of errors is attached. I don't understand why I get them. Basically the compiler is picking on

new GridBagCostraints()

and

new Insets()

Any help is obviously more than welcome.
thanks

[fred rosenberger]

Please PostTextNotScreenshots. I can't read a single word in that shot of your errors.

[Campbell Ritchie]

And please post the code; people prefer to read it than opening outside links.

I shall move your discussion because we usually discuss GUI layouts on a different forum.

[Martin Vashko]

As others have already mentioned, it would be better if you posted the code here in code tags (as you did with your prior posts), instead of linking them from elsewhere.

Anyway, based on the screenshot of compiler errors, I hazard to guess that the GridBagCostraints and Insets classes are not properly imported into your source file. Review your import statements to make sure you import these two classes.

[Kaydell Leavitt]

I agree with @Martin Vajsar in that you need to import the two classes: GridBagConstraints and Insets.

I can add that in your calls to the GridConstraints constructor that they need to have two more ints on the end.

I have read that the GridBagLayout and the GridBagConstraints together are powerful, but it seems to me that the NetBeans GUI editor has some advantages that I would like to try out.

Just today I found a bug in my code for one window that was using the altogether too complicated GridBagLayout. I replaced the code with the usage of a BorderLayout and a GridLayout which worked better in my case. Your case is different though, but it just makes me wonder what the GridBagLayout is good for.

[Jason Attin]

Sorry chaps, I thought that it would have been clearer if I linked to pastebin, apologies.
As far as I know the constraints have been imported correctly.
Strange you couldn't read the text in the screenshot, if you click on it the text is realy really clear.

Here is the code:

/*Form.java
ex 14.11 p 662
*/
import java.awt.GridBagLayout;//chosen JFrame layout
import static java.awt.GridBagConstraints.*;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JComboBox;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JTextArea;
import javax.swing.JCheckBox;
import javax.swing.JRadioButton;
import javax.swing.JLabel;
import javax.swing.ButtonGroup;//for radio buttons
import java.awt.GridLayout;//chosen layout for panel selectionPanel and buttonsPanel
import java.awt.FlowLayout;//chosen layout for panel printQualityPanel
import javax.swing.JPanel;

public class Form extends JFrame{	
//label
private JLabel printerLabel;
private JLabel printQualityLabel;

//txt areas
private JTextArea textArea1;
private JTextArea textArea2;
private JTextArea textArea3;

//checkboxes
private JCheckBox imageCheckBox;
private JCheckBox textCheckBox;
private JCheckBox codeCheckBox;
private JCheckBox printCheckBox;

//radio buttons
private JRadioButton selectionRadioButton;
private JRadioButton allRadioButton;
private JRadioButton appletRadioButton;
private ButtonGroup radioGroup;//to create logical connection between radio buttons

//jcombobox
private JComboBox<String> qualityCombo;
private String[] values;

//buttons
private JButton okButton;
private JButton cancelButton;
private JButton setupButton;
private JButton helpButton;

//panels
private JPanel selectionPanel;//contains text areas, radio buttons and chekboxes
private JPanel printQualityPanel;//contains print quality combo box	
private JPanel buttonsPanel;//contains buttons

//layout
private GridBagLayout jPanel1Layout;
private GridBagLayout jPanel2Layout;
private GridBagLayout jPanel3Layout;
private GridBagLayout labelLayout;
private GridBagLayout layout;//layout of JFrame

//constraints
private GridBagConstraints constraints;

//constructor
public Form(){
super("Form GUI");
layout = new GridBagLayout();
setLayout( layout );//set layout of JFrame	

//create panels
selectionPanel = new JPanel();
printQualityPanel = new JPanel();
buttonsPanel = new JPanel();

//create flow layout for aligning panels one next to the other
jPanel1Layout = new GridBagLayout();
jPanel2Layout = new GridBagLayout();
jPanel3Layout = new GridBagLayout();
labelLayout = new GridBagLayout();
constraints = new GridBagConstraints();

//create controls
//labels
printerLabel = new JLabel("Printer: My printer");
printQualityLabel = new JLabel("Print Quality:");
//txt areas
textArea1 = new JTextArea( 5, 5 );
textArea2 = new JTextArea( 5, 5 );
textArea3 = new JTextArea( 5, 5 );
//checkboxes
imageCheckBox = new JCheckBox("Image");
textCheckBox = new JCheckBox("Image");
codeCheckBox = new JCheckBox("Image");
printCheckBox = new JCheckBox("Print to file");
//radio buttons
selectionRadioButton = new JRadioButton("Selection", false);
allRadioButton = new JRadioButton("All", true);
appletRadioButton = new JRadioButton("Applet", false);
//add radio buttons to the group
radioGroup = new ButtonGroup();
radioGroup.add( selectionRadioButton );
radioGroup.add( allRadioButton );
radioGroup.add( appletRadioButton );
//combo box
String[] values = { "Value1", "Value2", "Value3", "Value4" };
qualityCombo = new JComboBox<>( values );
//buttons
okButton = new JButton("OK");
cancelButton = new JButton("Cancel");
setupButton = new JButton("Setup");
helpButton = new JButton("Help");
okButton = new JButton("OK");	

//BASED ON A 6X7 GRID!!		

//first text area		
selectionPanel.add( textArea1, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 2, 1, 3, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//set constraints on the element and add to jpanel

//second txt area		
selectionPanel.add( textArea2, new GridBagConstraints( 2, 2, 1, 3, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add component to jpanel and set constraints

//third text area		
selectionPanel.add( textArea3, new GridBagConstraints( 4, 2, 1, 3, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints


//checkboxes		
selectionPanel.add( imageCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints		
selectionPanel.add( textCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 3, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints		
selectionPanel.add( codeCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 4, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints

//radio buttons		
selectionPanel.add( selectionRadioButton, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints		
selectionPanel.add( allRadioButton, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 3, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints		
selectionPanel.add( appletRadioButton, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 4, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
//END OF FIRST PANEL

//SECOND PANEL containing combo box and print to file
//label		
printQualityPanel.add( printQualityLabel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 5, 1, 2, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints

//jcombo
printQualityPanel.add( qualityCombo, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 5, 2, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints

//bottom checkbox		
printQualityPanel.add( printCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 5, 5, 2, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
//END OF SECOND PANEL

//THIRD PANEL
//buttons		
buttonsPanel.add( okButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints		
buttonsPanel.add( cancelButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints		
buttonsPanel.add( setupButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 4, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraint		
buttonsPanel.add( helpButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 6, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints

//END OF THIRD PANEL

//set layout of JPanels
selectionPanel.setLayout( jPanel1Layout ); //
printQualityPanel.setLayout( jPanel2Layout );
buttonsPanel.setLayout( jPanel3Layout );

//set up the grid for the JFrame: add JPanels to JFrame
add( printerLabel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 0 , 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) )  );//add print label directly to JFrame + constraints
add( selectionPanel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add panel to JFrame + constraints
add( printQualityPanel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add panel to JFrame + constraints
add( buttonsPanel, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add panel to JFrame + constraints



}//end of constructor


}//end of class

and to test the class:

/*FormTest.java
testing Form.java class
*/
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import java.awt.Dimension;

public class FormTest{
	public static void main( String[] args ){
		Form formTest = new Form();
		formTest.setDefaultCloseOperation( JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE );
		formTest.setVisible( true );
		Dimension minimumSize = new Dimension( 400, 200 );
		formTest.setMinimumSize( minimumSize );
		formTest.pack();
	}//end of main
}//end of class

And here is the transcription of the errors (please note that in copying and pasting the caret has moved so don't rely on that to spot the error):

Form.java:63: error: cannot find symbol
        private GridBagConstraints constraints;
                ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:81: error: cannot find symbol
                constraints = new GridBagConstraints();
                                  ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:118: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( textArea1, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 2, 1, 3, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//set constraints on the element and add to jpanel
                                                   ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:118: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( textArea1, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 2, 1, 3, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//set constraints on the element and add to jpanel
                                                                                                           ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:121: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( textArea2, new GridBagConstraints( 2, 2, 1, 3, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add component to jpanel and set constraints
                                                   ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:121: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( textArea2, new GridBagConstraints( 2, 2, 1, 3, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add component to jpanel and set constraints
                                                                                                           ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:124: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( textArea3, new GridBagConstraints( 4, 2, 1, 3, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints
                                                   ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:124: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( textArea3, new GridBagConstraints( 4, 2, 1, 3, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints
                                                                                                           ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:128: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( imageCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints
                                                       ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:128: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( imageCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints
                                                                                                               ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:129: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( textCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 3, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints
                                                      ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:129: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( textCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 3, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints
                                                                                                              ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:130: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( codeCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 4, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints
                                                      ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:130: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( codeCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 4, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints
                                                                                                              ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:133: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( selectionRadioButton, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                              ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:133: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( selectionRadioButton, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                                                                                      ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:134: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( allRadioButton, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 3, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                        ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:134: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( allRadioButton, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 3, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                                                                                ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:135: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( appletRadioButton, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 4, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                           ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:135: error: cannot find symbol
                selectionPanel.add( appletRadioButton, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 4, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                                                                                   ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:140: error: cannot find symbol
                printQualityPanel.add( printQualityLabel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 5, 1, 2, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                              ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:140: error: cannot find symbol
                printQualityPanel.add( printQualityLabel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 5, 1, 2, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                                                                                      ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:143: error: cannot find symbol
                printQualityPanel.add( qualityCombo, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 5, 2, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                         ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:143: error: cannot find symbol
                printQualityPanel.add( qualityCombo, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 5, 2, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                                                                                 ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:146: error: cannot find symbol
                printQualityPanel.add( printCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 5, 5, 2, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                          ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:146: error: cannot find symbol
                printQualityPanel.add( printCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 5, 5, 2, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                                                                                  ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:151: error: cannot find symbol
                buttonsPanel.add( okButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:151: error: cannot find symbol
                buttonsPanel.add( okButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                                                                        ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:152: error: cannot find symbol
                buttonsPanel.add( cancelButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                    ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:152: error: cannot find symbol
                buttonsPanel.add( cancelButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                                                                            ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:153: error: cannot find symbol
                buttonsPanel.add( setupButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 4, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraint
                                                   ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:153: error: cannot find symbol
                buttonsPanel.add( setupButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 4, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraint
                                                                                                           ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:154: error: cannot find symbol
                buttonsPanel.add( helpButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 6, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                  ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:154: error: cannot find symbol
                buttonsPanel.add( helpButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 6, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0) ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
                                                                                                          ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:164: error: cannot find symbol
                add( printerLabel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 0 , 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) )  );//add print label directly to JFrame + constraints
                                       ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:164: error: cannot find symbol
                add( printerLabel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 0 , 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) )  );//add print label directly to JFrame + constraints
                                                                                                ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:165: error: cannot find symbol
                add( selectionPanel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add panel to JFrame + constraints
                                         ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:165: error: cannot find symbol
                add( selectionPanel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add panel to JFrame + constraints
                                                                                                 ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:166: error: cannot find symbol
                add( printQualityPanel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add panel to JFrame + constraints
                                            ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:166: error: cannot find symbol
                add( printQualityPanel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add panel to JFrame + constraints
                                                                                                    ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
Form.java:167: error: cannot find symbol
                add( buttonsPanel, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add panel to JFrame + constraints
                                       ^
  symbol:   class GridBagConstraints
  location: class Form
Form.java:167: error: cannot find symbol
                add( buttonsPanel, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ) ) );//add panel to JFrame + constraints
                                                                                               ^
  symbol:   class Insets
  location: class Form
42 errors

[Kaydell Leavitt]

1. Instead of only doing a static import as follows:

import static java.awt.GridBagConstraints.*;

You'll need to do a full import as follows:

import java.awt.GridBagConstraints;

2. You'll also need to import the Insets class as follows:

import java.awt.Insets;

3. Also, for each GridBagConstraint, when you call the constructor, you'll need to pass in two more parameters as follows:

selectionPanel.add( textArea1, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 2, 1, 3, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ), 0, 0 ) );//set constraints on the element and add to jpanel

I believe that by making the above changes, you'll be able to compile.

4. Play around with the numbers to get things positioned on the screen.

I think that these 4 steps will get your project working.

[Jason Attin]

OK got it to work, sorry I have missed those. The problem now is though, that the layout is not as it should be, see screenshot.
Here is the code:

/*Form.java
ex 14.11 p 662
*/
import java.awt.GridBagLayout;//chosen JFrame layout
import static java.awt.GridBagConstraints.*;
import java.awt.GridBagConstraints;
import java.awt.Insets;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JComboBox;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JTextArea;
import javax.swing.JCheckBox;
import javax.swing.JRadioButton;
import javax.swing.JLabel;
import javax.swing.ButtonGroup;//for radio buttons
import java.awt.GridLayout;//chosen layout for panel selectionPanel and buttonsPanel
import java.awt.FlowLayout;//chosen layout for panel printQualityPanel
import javax.swing.JPanel;

public class Form extends JFrame{	
//label
private JLabel printerLabel;
private JLabel printQualityLabel;

//txt areas
private JTextArea textArea1;
private JTextArea textArea2;
private JTextArea textArea3;

//checkboxes
private JCheckBox imageCheckBox;
private JCheckBox textCheckBox;
private JCheckBox codeCheckBox;
private JCheckBox printCheckBox;

//radio buttons
private JRadioButton selectionRadioButton;
private JRadioButton allRadioButton;
private JRadioButton appletRadioButton;
private ButtonGroup radioGroup;//to create logical connection between radio buttons

//jcombobox
private JComboBox<String> qualityCombo;
private String[] values;

//buttons
private JButton okButton;
private JButton cancelButton;
private JButton setupButton;
private JButton helpButton;

//panels
private JPanel selectionPanel;//contains text areas, radio buttons and chekboxes
private JPanel printQualityPanel;//contains print quality combo box	
private JPanel buttonsPanel;//contains buttons

//layout
private GridBagLayout jPanel1Layout;
private GridBagLayout jPanel2Layout;
private GridBagLayout jPanel3Layout;
private GridBagLayout labelLayout;
private GridBagLayout layout;//layout of JFrame

//constraints
//private GridBagConstraints constraints;

//constructor
public Form(){
super("Form GUI");
layout = new GridBagLayout();
setLayout( layout );//set layout of JFrame	

//create panels
selectionPanel = new JPanel();
printQualityPanel = new JPanel();
buttonsPanel = new JPanel();

//create flow layout for aligning panels one next to the other
jPanel1Layout = new GridBagLayout();
jPanel2Layout = new GridBagLayout();
jPanel3Layout = new GridBagLayout();
labelLayout = new GridBagLayout();
//constraints = new GridBagConstraints();

//create controls
//labels
printerLabel = new JLabel("Printer: My printer");
printQualityLabel = new JLabel("Print Quality:");
//txt areas
textArea1 = new JTextArea( 5, 5 );
textArea2 = new JTextArea( 5, 5 );
textArea3 = new JTextArea( 5, 5 );
//checkboxes
imageCheckBox = new JCheckBox("Image");
textCheckBox = new JCheckBox("Image");
codeCheckBox = new JCheckBox("Image");
printCheckBox = new JCheckBox("Print to file");
//radio buttons
selectionRadioButton = new JRadioButton("Selection", false);
allRadioButton = new JRadioButton("All", true);
appletRadioButton = new JRadioButton("Applet", false);
//add radio buttons to the group
radioGroup = new ButtonGroup();
radioGroup.add( selectionRadioButton );
radioGroup.add( allRadioButton );
radioGroup.add( appletRadioButton );
//combo box
String[] values = { "Value1", "Value2", "Value3", "Value4" };
qualityCombo = new JComboBox<>( values );
//buttons
okButton = new JButton("OK");
cancelButton = new JButton("Cancel");
setupButton = new JButton("Setup");
helpButton = new JButton("Help");
okButton = new JButton("OK");	

//BASED ON A 6X7 GRID!!		

//first text area		
selectionPanel.add( textArea1, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 2, 1, 3, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ), 0, 0 ) );//set constraints on the element and add to jpanel

//second txt area		
selectionPanel.add( textArea2, new GridBagConstraints( 2, 2, 1, 3, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and set constraints

//third text area		
selectionPanel.add( textArea3, new GridBagConstraints( 4, 2, 1, 3, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints


//checkboxes		
selectionPanel.add( imageCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints		
selectionPanel.add( textCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 3, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints		
selectionPanel.add( codeCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 4, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and add constraints

//radio buttons		
selectionPanel.add( selectionRadioButton, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints		
selectionPanel.add( allRadioButton, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 3, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints		
selectionPanel.add( appletRadioButton, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 4, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
//END OF FIRST PANEL

//SECOND PANEL containing combo box and print to file
//label		
printQualityPanel.add( printQualityLabel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 5, 1, 2, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints

//jcombo
printQualityPanel.add( qualityCombo, new GridBagConstraints( 3, 5, 2, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints

//bottom checkbox		
printQualityPanel.add( printCheckBox, new GridBagConstraints( 5, 5, 2, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints
//END OF SECOND PANEL

//THIRD PANEL
//buttons		
buttonsPanel.add( okButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints		
buttonsPanel.add( cancelButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints		
buttonsPanel.add( setupButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 4, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and constraint		
buttonsPanel.add( helpButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 6, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints

//END OF THIRD PANEL

//set layout of JPanels
selectionPanel.setLayout( jPanel1Layout ); //
printQualityPanel.setLayout( jPanel2Layout );
buttonsPanel.setLayout( jPanel3Layout );

//set up the grid for the JFrame: add JPanels to JFrame
add( printerLabel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 0 , 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ), 0, 0 )  );//add print label directly to JFrame + constraints
add( selectionPanel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ), 0, 0 ) );//add panel to JFrame + constraints
add( printQualityPanel, new GridBagConstraints( 0, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ), 0, 0 ) );//add panel to JFrame + constraints
add( buttonsPanel, new GridBagConstraints( 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ), 0, 0 ) );//add panel to JFrame + constraints



}//end of constructor


}//end of class

[Kaydell Leavitt]

the layout is not as it should be, see screenshot

Can you use a GUI editor or do you have to use layout managers?

[Campbell Ritchie]

Find out about Cay Horstmann's GBC class.

[Kaydell Leavitt]

Find out about Cay Horstmann's GBC class

OK. I didn't know that, but doesn't this GBC class having a Gnu Public License mean that if you use it in your code, then your code is also open source code under the Gnu Public License?

[Campbell Ritchie]

And I never knew that.

[Jason Attin]

Sorry chaps, an IDE is not an option I need to learn to use layout managers

[Kaydell Leavitt]

Sorry, @Campbell, I figured that you would know about the Gnu Public License since you're a sherriff and have been a member for so long and since you have answered so many questions, but I just wanted @Jason to know that "open-source" doesn't mean "public domain". Maybe he didn't know that.

[Kaydell Leavitt]

an IDE is not an option I need to learn to use layout managers

As @Campbell has suggested, you could use Cay Hortsman's class called GBC. You can find it if you google for "cay hortsman's GBC class". It's not an IDE, it's a subclass of GridBagContraint. It looks like a way to better understand the GridBagConstraint.

[Martin Vashko]

Kaydell Leavitt wrote:Sorry, @Campbell, I figured that you would know about the Gnu Public License since you're a sherriff and have been a member for so long and since you have answered so many questions, but I just wanted @Jason to know that "open-source" doesn't mean "public domain". Maybe he didn't know that.

You were right to point it out, even to a sheriff. We do care about intellectual property here on the Ranch, and it is always useful to remind beginners everyone that not everything on the web is automatically at everyone's disposal.

[Martin Vashko]

Jason, you're using several different JPanels, but seem to use the coordinate system across all of them. For example, you set the coordinates of buttons to (6,0), (6,2), (6,4) and (6,6), but the buttonsPanel doesn't contain anything else. It isn't an error, but it is confusing. I'd suggest moving creation of each panel into a separate method - it will be then clearly visible that every method/panel should use its own coordinate system.

Also note that if you don't put any component into some cells, these cells won't take up any space at all. So, even when you've left "empty" columns between your buttons, the buttons aren't separated. If you want to ensure spacing between components, I'd suggest using non-zero Insets for that.

My suggestion would be to put only a few components onto your form, so you can more easily see what's happening when you set different properties of the constraints. When you get part of your layout right, add a few more components. Trying to quell too many components on the form at once is quite challenging.

You also seem not to set any weight to any component at all. Make sure you assign weights to components that should be resizable - otherwise they'll all just lump together in the middle.

[Campbell Ritchie]

Martin Vajsar wrote: . . . You were right to point it out, . . .

And we don't know everything. None of us.

[Jason Attin]

thanks for shedding some light on it guys. @Martin Vajsar, thanks I think you're right, I will start with less components, that should be easier to see. However, buttonsPanel is not empty at all:

		//buttons		
		buttonsPanel.add( okButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0 ), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints		
		buttonsPanel.add( cancelButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 2, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints		
		buttonsPanel.add( setupButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 4, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and constraint		
		buttonsPanel.add( helpButton, new GridBagConstraints( 6, 6, 1, 1, 0, 0, CENTER, NONE, new Insets( 0, 0, 0, 0), 0, 0 ) );//add component to jpanel and constraints

thanks

[Martin Vashko]

Jason Attin wrote:However, buttonsPanel is not empty at all ...

I haven't stated it is empty. I said it contains only the buttons, and therefore it doesn't make sense to start placing them at column six. Consider:

package test;

import java.awt.GridBagConstraints;
import java.awt.GridBagLayout;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JFrame;

public class Form2 extends JFrame {

    public Form2(int x, int y) {
        super("Test " + x + "," + y);
        setDefaultCloseOperation(DISPOSE_ON_CLOSE);
        
        setLayout(new GridBagLayout());
        GridBagConstraints gc = new GridBagConstraints();
        gc.gridx = x;
        gc.gridy = y;
        gc.ipadx = gc.ipady = 60;
        add(new JButton("Test " + x + "," + y), gc);
        
        pack();
        setLocationRelativeTo(null);
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        new Form2(0, 0).setVisible(true);
        new Form2(6, 6).setVisible(true);
    }
}

This little program creates two windows which look exactly the same - the button fills he entire contents of the form, even though the buttons are put to different cells in the GridBagLayout. The reason is that empty rows and columns do not take any space whatsoever, so there isn't any place to the left or top of the button placed at the location (6,6).

You've placed the buttons apart in the GridBagLayout, but this doesn't mean that there will be any space between them. To reserve some space around a component, use non-zero insets in the GridBagConstraint of that component.