How to set component position in GridBagLayout JPanel ?

[Kevin Pang]

How to set component position in GridBagLayout JPanel ? I want to set the components on top left of the panel. now I can only make them on verticle center position of the JPanel.
Thanks in advance.

[Campbell Ritchie]

Remember gridx = how far from the left and gridy = how far from the right. You probably want both to be 0 for top left.

You need a constraints object as well, as described in the Java™ Tutorials; you would do well to work out how Cay Horstmann uses constraints; it makes it a lot easier to use.

[Chris Nash]

Kevin Pang wrote:How to set component position in GridBagLayout JPanel ?

First off, avoid GridBagLayout at all costs. You can almost always create the GUI you want using a variety of JPanels using BorderLayout, BoxLayout (x-axis and y-axis) and FlowLayout. And, if positioning components by hand is absolutely necessary, turn off the layout managers altogether (i.e. JPanel.setLayout( null ) ) and position each component manually with setBounds (i.e. component.setBounds( x, y, width, height).

I know this isn't the answer you wanted, but it's the best advice I can give. Even the Swing tutorials say to avoid the GridBagLayout if at all possible.

[Maneesh Godbole]

Chris Nash wrote:
First off, avoid GridBagLayout at all costs.

Chris,
Take it easy. No need to panic.
If someone wants to use/learn to use the Gridbag, comments like these are sure to put them off.
Admittedly Gridbag is a bit difficult to grasp, once you get a hang of it, it is one of the most powerful layouts around.

Kevin,
Just follow the links Campbell has provided, especially Cay Horstmann's link. The will be most helpful.

[Campbell Ritchie]

Maneesh is right, but GridBag is often hard to learn. Google for MigLayout, which I have never used, but is supposed to be much easier to use. Or have a look at the Other GridBag Tutorial

But beware of trying a null Layout. That will give all sorts of problems if the Frame is resized; the lower or right Components may drop off the display altogether.

[Fred Hamilton]

In addition to the Java Tutorial, I would like to recommend the following, it was a great help to me.

http://java.sun.com/developer/onlineTraining/GUI/AWTLayoutMgr/shortcourse.html

[Campbell Ritchie]

Fred Hamilton wrote:In addition to the Java Tutorial, I would like to recommend the following, it was a great help to me.

http://java.sun.com/developer/onlineTraining/GUI/AWTLayoutMgr/shortcourse.html

More useful than what I last quoted, but less fun!

[Fred Hamilton]

Campbell Ritchie wrote:

Fred Hamilton wrote:In addition to the Java Tutorial, I would like to recommend the following, it was a great help to me.

http://java.sun.com/developer/onlineTraining/GUI/AWTLayoutMgr/shortcourse.html

More useful than what I last quoted, but less fun!

I could guess what you might be referring to, there are a couple of possibilities.

[Brian Moakley]

GridBag is a nightmare's nightmare. I agree it is good to learn the layout managers to make you a better programmer. Just know that GridBag produces a nasty mess of code. Constraints upon constraints. The layout really encourages object bloat. Panels within panels. Mig is really a breath of fresh air. I just rewrote all my gridbag code in mig. There's no going back for me. It's the way a layout manager should work ... ie, working with you instead of against you. Who would have thought that you can layout a gui on one panel without breaking a sweat?

In any case, here's a good swing tutorial to get you started on all the layout managers: Swing Tutorial.

[John Pisci]

Campbell Ritchie wrote:Maneesh is right, but GridBag is often hard to learn. Google for MigLayout, which I have never used, but is supposed to be much easier to use. Or have a look at the Other GridBag Tutorial

But beware of trying a null Layout. That will give all sorts of problems if the Frame is resized; the lower or right Components may drop off the display altogether.

I can vouch for Miglayout- it is very easy to use and even easier to understand. I think they are trying to get it included in the next java release too.

Despite Miglayout being easy, I am still going to have a go with GridBag because different styles are more suited to different situations with different requirements.