aligning label and fields in Swing

[choubix alex]

Hi!

I am creating a login screen to get up to speed with Swing.
When I run the following code all the elements are displayed BUT their position on the screen is not correct.
is it possible to display the elements like this

username: (textfield here)
password: (passwordfield here)
comment: (comment field here)

etcetc

while aligning them so it looks nice? (all the labels / fields aligned)

thank you for your time

ps: please feel free to comment my code on my code as this is new for me and that I would like to progress fast


code:

  

package com.mywebsite.www.ui;

import javax.swing.*;
import org.jvnet.substance.skin.SubstanceBusinessLookAndFeel;

public class LoginForm extends JFrame{
	
	//Create Labels
	JLabel usernameLabel = new JLabel("username: ");
	JLabel passwordLabel = new JLabel("password: ");
	JLabel commentsLabel = new JLabel("comment:");
	
	//Create fields
	JTextField username = new JTextField(20);
	JPasswordField password = new JPasswordField(20);
	JTextArea comments = new JTextArea(5,15);
	JScrollPane scroll = new JScrollPane(comments, //Create a Vertical Scroll for the comments
	ScrollPaneConstants.VERTICAL_SCROLLBAR_ALWAYS,
	ScrollPaneConstants.HORIZONTAL_SCROLLBAR_NEVER);
	JButton login = new JButton("Login");
	
	//Create the Frame, set size, add all elements and display
	public LoginForm() {
		super("Login Form");
		this.setSize(300,300);
		this.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
		JPanel pane = new JPanel();
		
		pane.add(usernameLabel);
		pane.add(username);
		pane.add(passwordLabel);
		pane.add(password);
		pane.add(commentsLabel);
		pane.add(scroll);
		
		pane.add(login);

		//setContentPane(pane); //Similar to add(pane);
		add(pane);
		setVisible(true);
		
	}
	

	  public static void main(String[] args) {
		    JFrame.setDefaultLookAndFeelDecorated(true);

		    SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
		    	public void run() {
		            try {
		              UIManager.setLookAndFeel(new SubstanceBusinessLookAndFeel());
		            } catch (Exception e) {
		              System.out.println("Look and Feel failed to initialize");
		            }
		            LoginForm L = new LoginForm();
		            //loginForm.setVisible(true);
		          }
		        });
		      }
	}

	
 

[Maneesh Godbole]

What you need is LayoutManagers.
Recommended reading: http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/uiswing/layout/using.html
Also google for MigLayout Some people feel it is easier to use than GridBagLayout

Since you are starting to learn, I strongly recommend, do not use drag and drop style tools. Hand coding has numerous advantages. Search the forums for details on this topic. It has been discussed many times before.

[choubix alex]

Thanks again!

I've stumble on MiG shortly after posting my message and I have managed to position my labels in a much better way.
I was tempted to use a Visual builder (netbeans provides one I think) but I have decided to start coding my UI instead so that I can learn better/more.

[Mayur Gosalia]

use grid layout with gridbag constraints..that way you have alot more control over your placements in the panel.

[Rob Spoor]

Mayur Gosalia wrote:use grid layout with gridbag constraints..

Don't you mean GridBagLayout, instead of GridLayout? Because GridLayout doesn't use any constraints, it just uses the largest width and height for all components.