What is the use of Box class?

[Prashobh Mallu]

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Hello friend,

I need you help to sort-out my query which is related to the java classes. I want to be aware about the 'Box class' of java programming. I don't know anything about the use of Box class. I have referred many java book for Box class, but nothing was helpful. I wonder if you are able to provide me some information about the Box class of java along with suitable example for the same. I am waiting for your reply.

[Praetor]

Box class is a lightweight container that uses a BoxLayout object as its layout manager. Box provides several class methods that are useful for containers using BoxLayout - even non-Box containers. The Box class can create several kinds of invisible components that affect layout: glue, struts, and rigid areas. If all the components your Box contains have a fixed size, you might want to use a glue component (returned by createGlue) to control the components' positions.

[Katty]

Hi friend,

I suggest you to refer following example of 'Box class', which will give you something idea about the use of this class:

import javax.swing.Box;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JTextField;

public class BoxDM
 {
  public static void main(String argsw[]) {
    JFrame verticalFrame1 = new JFrame("Vertical");
    verticalFrame1.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
    Box verticalBox1 = Box.createVerticalBox();
    verticalBox1.add(new JLabel("Top"));
    verticalBox1.add(new JTextField("Middle"));
    verticalBox1.add(new JButton("Bottom"));
    verticalFrame1.add(verticalBox, BorderLayout.CENTER);
    verticalFrame1.setSize(250, 150);
    verticalFrame1.setVisible(true);

  }
}

[Zecho]

Please review following some of the important methods of 'Box class':

• setLayout(LayoutManager lm)
• getAccessibleContext()
• createVerticalStrut(int height1)
• createRigidArea(Dimension dm)
• createHorizontalStrut(int width1)
• createHorizontalGlue()

[Reegan]

In following example I have used different methods of Box class of java:

import javax.swing.Box;
import javax.swing.JTextField;

public class SampleBox

 {
  public static void main(String argvs[])
 {
    JFrame hf = new JFrame("Horizontal");
    hf.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);

    Box hb = Box.createHorizontalBox();

    hb.add(new JLabel("Left"));
    hb.add(new JTextField("Middle"));
    hb.add(new JButton("Right"));
 
    hf.add(hb, BorderLayout.CENTER);
    hf.setSize(150, 150);
    hf.setVisible(true);
  }

}

[opaper]

Hello friend,

If you want to use the properties of Box class, then you need to be aware about the following nested classes:

1. Component.BltBufferStrategy
2. Box.AccessibleBox
3. Container.AccessibleAWTContainer
4. Component.FlipBufferStrategy
5. JComponent.AccessibleJComponent