Intro to GUI

Intro to GUI

1. Interaction channel between the user and the system

   • Has visual elements that the user can interact with in order to receive certain outputs
     • Will have active interaction (like numbers updating and our actions) and inactive interaction (pictures and such)
   • Must follow Gestalt's principles; be clear, intuitive, and friendly!
   • MUST have a main container for all the graphical elements of the app; should offer minimize, close, move, and maximize
     • Methods for frames using Jframes: setSize(w,h) setResizable(boolean) setDefaultCloseOperation(EXIT_ON_CLOSE) setVisible(boolean) add(GUIComponent)
     • Another container, the Panel, is used to contain and divide GUI elements within the frame
       • Needs specification of layout!
         • Use BorderLayout and GridLayout
           • setLayout(new GridLayout(rows, columns))
             • add(GUI component)
               • Will be added in the order of the cells! (for a matrix with three columns and m rows, 1,2,3 left to right, then on to next row 4,5,6, etc)
           • setLayout(new BorderLayout())
             • add(GUI component, BorderLayout.NORTH)

2. Can be stand-alone, on the web, and even on a phone!