We’ve been using the null layout manager, in our previous examples of Java Swing. This is sometimes referenced as an absolute positioning layout, because we are required to control how the items are laid out and where. We do this with setBounds() or another method which allows us to define both the size of the component as well as the position on the parent frame.

However, Java provides several other layout managers for us. Oracle, the owner of Java (They bought out Sun who created Java years ago) has a good visual representation of the layout managers. The layout managers will calculate, and recalculate if the window changes sizes, the positions and sizes of your elements.

Common layout managers include:

  • BorderLayout
  • BoxLayout
  • CardLayout
  • FlowLayout
  • GridBagLayout
  • GridLayout
  • GroupLayout
  • SpringLayout

Note however, that GroupLayout and SpringLayout are both designed to be used by GUI builders, not necessarily by a developer who is putting items into place. That is because of some of the complexities of how you might build them.

Complex Designs

The null layout might seem like the obvious choice therefore, however, it has limitations of what to do if the screen size needs to change, for one.

Instead, you might use panels with different layouts, to get the design you really want.

Intro to Layout Managers was originally found on Access 2 Learn

Assistant Professor

Walter Wimberly is an Assistant Professor at a regional college in Tennessee, teaching Computer Science in the Software Engineering track. He works as a student advisor, oversees curriculum changes, develops new courses, and manages the advisory panel.
Walter taught full time for about 7 years, before going back into “industry” as a full stack Software Developer for a dozen years. There he focused on web based projects coding in JavaScript/jQuery and utilizing the Bootstrap CSS Framework on the front-end, and coding in PHP, ASP/ASP.Net, SQL on the back-end.

Since he loves teaching, he taught as an adjunct web and digital media classes for eight (8) years, while working in industry, and has since returned to teaching full time.

He has been married for over 25 years, and is father to several special needs boys. As such, he is working on some projects to help others who have special needs to be self-sufficient, and support the care givers of those with special needs. Check out his Autism blog for more info.

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