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Replace ImageIcon with JButton pressed

I am having trouble replacing ImageIcon with a first ImageIcon whereupon a Jbutton is pressed. So far I have tried replacing the frame, .setIcon(myNewImage);, and .remove();. Not sure what to do now... (I'll need to replace and resize them.) Here is my code. (It is supposed to be like one of those Japanese dating games... please ignore that the pictures are local I have no site to host them yet.
import java.awt.BorderLayout;
import java.awt.Dimension;
import java.awt.GridLayout;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
import javax.swing.BorderFactory;
import javax.swing.Box;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JOptionPane;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.SwingUtilities;
import java.util.Scanner;
import javax.swing.ImageIcon;
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
public class NestedPanels extends JPanel {
JPanel southBtnPanel = new JPanel(new GridLayout(3, 2, 1, 1)); //grid layout of buttons and declaration of panel SoutbtnPanel
JButton b = new JButton("Say Hello");//1
JButton c = new JButton("Say You Look Good");//1
JButton d = new JButton("Say Sorry I'm Late");//1
JButton e2 = new JButton("So where are we headed?");//2
JButton f = new JButton("Can we go to your place?");//2
JButton g = new JButton("I don't have any money for our date...");//2
public NestedPanels() { //implemeted class
//add action listener
b.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
button1Clicked(e);//when button clicked, invoke method
}
});
c.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
button2Clicked(e);//when button clicked, invoke method
}
});
d.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
button3Clicked(e);//when button clicked, invoke method
}
});
e2.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
button4Clicked(e);//when button clicked, invoke method
}
});
f.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
button5Clicked(e);//when button clicked, invoke method
}
});
g.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
button6Clicked(e);//when button clicked, invoke method
}
});
southBtnPanel.add(b);
southBtnPanel.add(c);
southBtnPanel.add(d);
setBorder(BorderFactory.createEmptyBorder(1, 1, 1, 1)); //layout of buttons "Button text"
setLayout(new BorderLayout());
add(Box.createRigidArea(new Dimension(600, 600))); //space size of text box webapp over all
add(southBtnPanel, BorderLayout.SOUTH);
}
private static void createAndShowGui() {//class to show gui
NestedPanels mainPanel = new NestedPanels(); //mainPanel new class of buttons instantiation
JFrame frame = new JFrame("Date Sim 1.0");//title of webapp on top
frame.getContentPane().add(mainPanel);
ImageIcon icon = new ImageIcon("C:/Users/wchri/Pictures/10346538_10203007241845278_2763831867139494749_n.jpg");
JLabel label = new JLabel(icon);
mainPanel.add(label);
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.HIDE_ON_CLOSE);
frame.pack();
frame.setVisible(true);
}
private void button1Clicked(ActionEvent e) {
southBtnPanel.removeAll();
southBtnPanel.add(e2);
southBtnPanel.add(f);
southBtnPanel.add(g);
southBtnPanel.revalidate();
southBtnPanel.repaint();
String msg = ((JButton)e.getSource()).getActionCommand() ;
JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(this, "Hey there! Ready to get started?", "Christian feels good!", JOptionPane.PLAIN_MESSAGE); //display button Action
}
private void button2Clicked(ActionEvent e) {
southBtnPanel.removeAll();
southBtnPanel.add(e2);
southBtnPanel.add(f);
southBtnPanel.add(g);
southBtnPanel.revalidate();
southBtnPanel.repaint();
String msg = ((JButton)e.getSource()).getActionCommand() ;
JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(this, "Ugh... thanks! You too ready?!", "Christian is a bit... Embarrased.", JOptionPane.PLAIN_MESSAGE); //display button Action
}
private void button3Clicked(ActionEvent e) {
southBtnPanel.removeAll();
southBtnPanel.add(e2);
southBtnPanel.add(f);
southBtnPanel.add(g);
southBtnPanel.revalidate();
southBtnPanel.repaint();
String msg = ((JButton)e.getSource()).getActionCommand() ;
JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(this, "It's ok! Just make sure it doesn't happen again!", "Christian is a bit angry!", JOptionPane.PLAIN_MESSAGE); //display button Action
}
private void button4Clicked(ActionEvent e) {
NestedPanels mainPanel = new NestedPanels(); //mainPanel new class of buttons instantiation
JFrame frame = new JFrame("Date Sim 1.0");//title of webapp on top
frame.getContentPane().add(mainPanel);
JLabel label = new JLabel();
ImageIcon imageTwo = new ImageIcon("C:/Users/wchri/Documents/chrisferry.jpg");
mainPanel.add(label);
label.setIcon(imageTwo);
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.HIDE_ON_CLOSE);
frame.pack();
frame.setVisible(true);
frame.getContentPane().add(mainPanel);
String msg = ((JButton)e.getSource()).getActionCommand() ;
JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(this, "Let's take the ferry to NYC!", "Christian feels good!", JOptionPane.PLAIN_MESSAGE); //display button Action
}
private void button5Clicked(ActionEvent e) {
NestedPanels mainPanel = new NestedPanels(); //mainPanel new class of buttons instantiation
JFrame frame = new JFrame("Date Sim 1.0");//title of webapp on top
frame.getContentPane().add(mainPanel);
JLabel label = new JLabel();
ImageIcon imageThree = new ImageIcon("C:/Users/wchri/Pictures/Screenshots/chrisart.jpg");
mainPanel.add(label);
label.setIcon(imageThree);
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.HIDE_ON_CLOSE);
frame.pack();
frame.setVisible(true);
frame.getContentPane().add(mainPanel);
String msg = ((JButton)e.getSource()).getActionCommand() ;
JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(this, "Don't you think it's a bit soon for that?", "Christian is embarrassed...", JOptionPane.PLAIN_MESSAGE); //display button Action
}
private void button6Clicked(ActionEvent e) {
NestedPanels mainPanel = new NestedPanels(); //mainPanel new class of buttons instantiation
JFrame frame = new JFrame("Date Sim 1.0");//title of webapp on top
frame.getContentPane().add(mainPanel);
JLabel label = new JLabel();
ImageIcon imageFour = new ImageIcon("C:/Users/wchri/Downloads/chrismoney.jpg");
mainPanel.add(label);
label.setIcon(imageFour);
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.HIDE_ON_CLOSE);
frame.pack();
frame.setVisible(true);
frame.getContentPane().add(mainPanel);
String msg = ((JButton)e.getSource()).getActionCommand() ;
JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(this, "I got money!", "Christian is ballin'", JOptionPane.PLAIN_MESSAGE); //display button Action
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println("Welcome to Date Sim 1.0 with we1. Are you ready to play? Yes/No?");
Scanner in = new Scanner(System.in);
String confirm = in.nextLine();
if (confirm.equalsIgnoreCase("Yes")) {
System.out.println("Ok hot stuff... Let's start.");
NestedPanels mainPanel = new NestedPanels();
} else {
System.out.println("Maybe some other time!");
return;
}
SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
createAndShowGui();
}
});
}
}

Here is MCVE that demonstrates changing an icon on a JButton when it is clicked:
import java.io.IOException;
import java.net.URL;
import javax.swing.ImageIcon;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.SwingConstants;
public class ChangeButtonIcon extends JPanel{
private URL[] urls = {
new URL("https://findicons.com/files/icons/345/summer/128/cake.png"),
new URL("http://icons.iconarchive.com/icons/atyourservice/service-categories/128/Sweets-icon.png"),
new URL("https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS_FkBgG3_ux0kCbfG8mcRHvdk1dYbZYsm2SFMS01YvA6B_zfH_kg"),
};
private int iconNumber = 0;
private JButton button;
public ChangeButtonIcon() throws IOException {
button = new JButton();
button.setIcon(new ImageIcon(urls[iconNumber]));
button.setHorizontalTextPosition(SwingConstants.CENTER);
button.addActionListener(e -> swapIcon());
add(button);
}
private void swapIcon() {
iconNumber = iconNumber >= (urls.length -1) ? 0 : iconNumber+1;
button.setIcon(new ImageIcon(urls[iconNumber]));
}
public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException{
JFrame window = new JFrame();
window.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
window.add(new ChangeButtonIcon());
window.pack();
window.setVisible(true);
}
}
I find writting MCVE a very useful technique. Not only it makes helping much easier, it
is a powerful debugging tool. It many case, while preparing one, you are likely to find the problem.
It should represent the problem or the question asked. Not your application.

Update JLabel text

I'm working on a simple GUI. On Button press i want to increase/decrease a variable and update the corresponding JLabel.
class JFrameSetUp
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;
public class JFrameSetUp extends JFrame implements ActionListener {
private int RecHeight = 0;
private int RecWidth = 0;
//Here Buttons
JButton HeightIncrease = new JButton("+");
JButton HeightDecrease = new JButton("-");
JLabel height = new JLabel(Integer.toString(RecHeight));
JLabel width = new JLabel(Integer.toString(RecWidth));
GridLayout gridLayout = new GridLayout(2, 4);
public JFrameSetUp(){
}
public void addComponentsToPane(final Container pane){
//Create GridPanel and set Layout
JPanel grid = new JPanel();
grid.setLayout(gridLayout);
//Create buttondrawPanel and set Layout
JPanel buttondraw = new JPanel();
buttondraw.setLayout(new GridLayout(2, 0));
//Adding Components to GridPanel
//Adding Layouts to pane
pane.add(grid, BorderLayout.NORTH);
pane.add(new JSeparator(), BorderLayout.CENTER);
pane.add(buttondraw, BorderLayout.SOUTH);
}
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
//Setting up ActionListener to Buttons
if (e.getSource() == this.HeightDecrease) {
RecHeight -= 1;
height.setText(Integer.toString(RecHeight));
} else if (e.getSource() == this.HeightIncrease) {
RecHeight += 1;
height.setText(Integer.toString(RecHeight));
}
}
}
Class with MainMethod
import javax.swing.JFrame;
public class Program {
public static void main(String[] args) {
javax.swing.SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
public void run() {
createAndShowGUI();
}
});
}
private static void createAndShowGUI() {
//Create and set up the window.
JFrameSetUp frame = new JFrameSetUp();
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
//Set up the content pane.
frame.addComponentsToPane(frame.getContentPane());
//Display the window.
frame.pack();
frame.setVisible(true);
}
}
I'm aware, that's kind a newbish question. I think I'm wrong with my Code Structure. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

You never register any ActionListeners to the buttons...
HeightIncrease.addActionListener(this);
HeightDecrease.addActionListener(this);
You also never add the buttons to the GUI
buttondraw.add(HeightIncrease);
buttondraw.add(HeightDecrease);
You also never add the labels to the GUI either...
grid.add(height);
grid.add(width);
I reworked the code, because your example was messing with my mind, hope you don't mind...
It's conceptually the same idea, just done slightly more efficently
import java.awt.BorderLayout;
import java.awt.EventQueue;
import java.awt.GridLayout;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JLabel;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.JSeparator;
import javax.swing.UIManager;
import javax.swing.UnsupportedLookAndFeelException;
public class Test {
public static void main(String[] args) {
new Test();
}
public Test() {
EventQueue.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
try {
UIManager.setLookAndFeel(UIManager.getSystemLookAndFeelClassName());
} catch (ClassNotFoundException | InstantiationException | IllegalAccessException | UnsupportedLookAndFeelException ex) {
ex.printStackTrace();
}
JFrame frame = new JFrame("Testing");
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
frame.add(new TestPane());
frame.pack();
frame.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
frame.setVisible(true);
}
});
}
public class TestPane extends JPanel {
private int recHeight = 0;
private int recWidth = 0;
//Here Buttons
JButton heightIncrease = new JButton("+");
JButton heightDecrease = new JButton("-");
JLabel height = new JLabel(Integer.toString(recHeight));
JLabel width = new JLabel(Integer.toString(recWidth));
GridLayout gridLayout = new GridLayout(2, 4);
public TestPane() {
setLayout(new BorderLayout());
//Create GridPanel and set Layout
JPanel grid = new JPanel();
grid.setLayout(gridLayout);
grid.add(height);
grid.add(width);
//Create buttondrawPanel and set Layout
JPanel buttondraw = new JPanel();
buttondraw.setLayout(new GridLayout(2, 0));
heightIncrease.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
recHeight += 1;
height.setText(Integer.toString(recHeight));
}
});
heightDecrease.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
recHeight -= 1;
height.setText(Integer.toString(recHeight));
}
});
buttondraw.add(heightIncrease);
buttondraw.add(heightDecrease);
//Adding Components to GridPanel
//Adding Layouts to pane
add(grid, BorderLayout.NORTH);
add(new JSeparator(), BorderLayout.CENTER);
add(buttondraw, BorderLayout.SOUTH);
}
}
}
I would encourage you to spend some time having a look at How to Use Buttons, Check Boxes, and Radio Buttons and How to Write an Action Listeners for more details

After changing the value call
frame.repaint();

Good to see you learning Java! A few things I should point out.
Firstly, your variable names are good, but they don't follow the Java naming convention. Even though it seems small, it's just good practice to follow.
Of course, your actual problem; the action listener you've implemented is on the JFrame. (See how you extend JFrame and implement ActionListener?) This ActionListener should be on the button. You'll can do this a few ways.
Method 1: By adding it inline with your code
JButton heightButton = new JButton("Increase Height");
heightButton.addActionListener(new ActionListener(){
#Override
public void run(){
//run method here
}
});
Method 2: Create a class which implements ActionListener
class ButtonListener implements ActionListener{
#Override
public void run(){
//actionListener code here
}
}
And then instantiate an object of this type and add it directly to your code.
ActionListner buttonListener = new ButtonListener(); //or ButtonListener buttonListener = new ButtonListener();
JButton heightButton = new JButton("Increase Height");
heightButton.addActionListener(buttonListener);
Of course, as in MadProgrammers answer, don't forget to add the labels and such to your JFrame or JPanel. Good luck learning Java!

I bet that your program just shows nothing, isn't it? That's because in addComponentsToPane method, you didn't add any component but empty JPanels. After the comment //Adding Components to GridPanel, you should:
buttondraw.add(HeightIncrease);
buttondraw.add(HeightDecrease);
grid.add(height);
grid.add(width);
Then, to listen to button event, you should also add :
HeightIncrease.addActionListener(this);
HeightDecrease.addActionListener(this);
"this" is because your frame JFrameSetUp implements ActionListener, so when either bootton is clicked the method actionPerformed is invoked.
As JLabel.setText method will repaint itself and consequently its component hierarchi is repainted as well, you haven't to do anything othr.

How to send an ActionPerformed from an ActionListener to another ActionListener?

I've got a Frame (named here "MainApplication"), which mainly has a JPanel to show informations, depending on the context.
On startup, the MainApplication has an empty JPanel.
It then creates a "LoginRequest" class, which creates a simple login/password form, and send it back to the MainApplication, which displays it in its JPanel.
The "LoginRequest" class implements ActionListener, so when the user clicks on the "Login" button, it checks wheter or not the login/password is correct, and, if the user is granted, I want to unload that form, and display the main screen on the MainApplication Frame.
So, to do it, I came up with this :
public class LoginRequest implements ActionListener {
protected MainApplication owner_m = null;
public LoginRequest(MainApplication owner_p) {
owner_m = owner_p;
}
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event_p) {
// the user just clicked the "Login" button
if (event_p.getActionCommand().equals("RequestLogin")) {
// check if login/password are correct
if (getParameters().isUserGranted(login_l, password_l)) {
// send an ActionEvent to the "MainApplication", so as it will
// be notified to display the next screen
this.owner_m.actionPerformed(
new java.awt.event.ActionEvent(this, 0, "ShowSummary")
);
} else {
messageLabel_m.setForeground(Color.RED);
messageLabel_m.setText("Incorrect user or password");
}
}
}
}
Then, the "MainApplication" class (which extends JFrame) :
public class MainApplication extends JFrame implements ActionListener {
protected void load() {
// create the panel to display information
mainPanel_m = new JPanel();
// on startup, populate the panel with a login/password form
mainPanel_m.add(new LoginRequest(this).getLoginForm());
this.add(mainPanel_m);
}
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event_p) {
// show summary on request
if (event_p.getActionCommand().equals("ShowSummary")) {
// remove the previous information on the panel
// (which displayed the login form on this example)
mainPanel_m.removeAll();
// and populate the panel with other informations, from another class
mainPanel_m.add(...);
...
...
}
// and then refresh GUI
this.validate();
this.repaint();
this.pack();
}
}
When the ActionEvent is sent from the "LoginRequest" class to the "MainApplication" class, it executes the code, but at the end, nothing happens, as if the JFrame wasn't repainted.
Any ideas ?
Thanks,

The best way would be to use JDialog (main frame JFrame would be a parent component) for login form and CardLayout to switch between panels (so there is no need for removing, repainting and revalidating):
Your main form should look something like this:
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
public class MainFrame{
JFrame frame = new JFrame("Main frame");
JPanel welcomePanel = new JPanel();
JPanel workspacePanel = new JPanel();
JPanel cardPanel = new JPanel();
JButton btnLogin = new JButton("Login");
JLabel lblWelcome = new JLabel("Welcome to workspace");
CardLayout cl = new CardLayout();
LoginRequest lr = new LoginRequest(this);
public MainFrame() {
welcomePanel.add(btnLogin);
btnLogin.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
lr.setVisible(true);
}
});
workspacePanel.add(lblWelcome);
cardPanel.setLayout(cl);
cardPanel.add(welcomePanel, "1");
cardPanel.add(workspacePanel, "2");
cl.show(cardPanel,"1");
frame.getContentPane().add(cardPanel);
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.DISPOSE_ON_CLOSE);
frame.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(320,240));
frame.pack();
frame.setLocationByPlatform(true);
frame.setVisible(true);
}
public static void main(String [] args){
SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
new MainFrame();
}
});
}
}
Your login form should look something like this:
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
public class LoginRequest extends JDialog{
/**You can add, JTextFields, JLabel, JPasswordField..**/
JPanel panel = new JPanel();
JButton btnLogin = new JButton("Login");
public LoginRequest(final MainFrame mf) {
setTitle("Login");
panel.add(btnLogin);
btnLogin.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
//Put some login logic here
mf.cl.show(mf.cardPanel,"2");
dispose();
}
});
add(panel, BorderLayout.CENTER);
setModalityType(ModalityType.APPLICATION_MODAL);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JDialog.DISPOSE_ON_CLOSE);
pack();
setLocationByPlatform(true);
}
}
EDIT:
Your way:
MainFrame class:
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
public class MainFrame{
JFrame frame = new JFrame("Main frame");
JPanel welcomePanel = new JPanel();
JPanel workspacePanel = new JPanel();
JPanel cardPanel = new JPanel();
JButton btnLogin = new JButton("Login");
JLabel lblWelcome = new JLabel("Welcome");
LoginRequest lr = new LoginRequest(this);
public MainFrame() {
welcomePanel.add(btnLogin);
btnLogin.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
lr.setVisible(true);
}
});
workspacePanel.add(lblWelcome);
frame.getContentPane().add(welcomePanel);
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.DISPOSE_ON_CLOSE);
frame.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(320,240));
frame.pack();
frame.setLocationByPlatform(true);
frame.setVisible(true);
}
public static void main(String [] args){
SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
new MainFrame();
}
});
}
}
LoginRequest class:
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
public class LoginRequest extends JDialog{
/**You can add, JTextFields, JLabel, JPasswordField..**/
JPanel panel = new JPanel();
JButton btnLogin = new JButton("Login");
public LoginRequest(final MainFrame mf) {
setTitle("Login");
panel.add(btnLogin);
btnLogin.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
//Put some login logic here
mf.frame.getContentPane().removeAll();
mf.frame.add(mf.workspacePanel);
mf.frame.repaint();
mf.frame.revalidate();
dispose();
}
});
add(panel, BorderLayout.CENTER);
setModalityType(ModalityType.APPLICATION_MODAL);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JDialog.DISPOSE_ON_CLOSE);
pack();
setLocationByPlatform(true);
}
}

Java EventHandling

When I compile it show error in line 33 : Cannot find symbol.
I am calling jbtNew.addActionListener(listener), so why it's unable to find jbtNew in
(e.getSource() == jbtNew) in line 33.
from code
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
public class AnonymousListenerDemo extends JFrame {
public AnonymousListenerDemo() {
// Create four buttons
JButton jbtNew = new JButton("New");
JButton jbtOpen = new JButton("Open");
JButton jbtSave = new JButton("Save");
JButton jbtPrint = new JButton("Print");
// Create a panel to hold buttons
JPanel panel = new JPanel();
panel.add(jbtNew);
panel.add(jbtOpen);
panel.add(jbtSave);
panel.add(jbtPrint);
add(panel);
// Create and register anonymous inner-class listener
AnonymousListenerDemo.ButtonListener listener = new AnonymousListenerDemo.ButtonListener();
jbtNew.addActionListener(listener);
}
class ButtonListener implements ActionListener {
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
if (e.getSource() == jbtNew) //Here it show the problem
{
System.out.println("Process New");
}
}
}
/** Main method */
public static void main(String[] args) {
JFrame frame = new AnonymousListenerDemo();
frame.setTitle("AnonymousListenerDemo");
frame.setLocationRelativeTo(null); // Center the frame
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
frame.pack();
frame.setVisible(true);
}
}

That's a local variable.
It doesn't exist outside the constructor.
You need to make a field in the class.

this could be work (in the form as you posted here) and #SLaks mentioned +1, with a few major changes
in the case that all methods will be placed into separated classes to use put/getClientProperty()
import java.awt.EventQueue;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
public class AnonymousListenerDemo {
private static final long serialVersionUID = 1L;
private JFrame frame = new JFrame("AnonymousListenerDemo");
// Create four buttons
private JButton jbtNew = new JButton("New");
private JButton jbtOpen = new JButton("Open");
private JButton jbtSave = new JButton("Save");
private JButton jbtPrint = new JButton("Print");
public AnonymousListenerDemo() {
JPanel panel = new JPanel();// Create a panel to hold buttons
panel.add(jbtNew);
panel.add(jbtOpen);
panel.add(jbtSave);
panel.add(jbtPrint);
// Create and register anonymous inner-class listener
jbtNew.addActionListener(new ButtonListener());
frame.add(panel);
//frame.setTitle("AnonymousListenerDemo");
frame.setLocationRelativeTo(null); // Center the frame
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
frame.pack();
frame.setVisible(true);
}
class ButtonListener implements ActionListener {
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
if (e.getSource() == jbtNew) {
System.out.println("Process New");
}
}
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
EventQueue.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
public void run() {
new AnonymousListenerDemo();
}
});
}
}

GUI multiple frames switch

I am writing a program for a black jack game. It is an assignment we are not to use gui's but I am doing it for extra credit I have created two frames ant they are working. On the second frame I want to be able to switch back to the first when a button is pressed. How do I do this?
first window.............
import javax.swing.* ;
import java.awt.event.* ;
import java.awt.* ;
import java.util.* ;
public class BlackJackWindow1 extends JFrame implements ActionListener
{
private JButton play = new JButton("Play");
private JButton exit = new JButton("Exit");
private JPanel pane=new JPanel();
private JLabel lbl ;
public BlackJackWindow1()
{
super();
JPanel pane=new JPanel();
setTitle ("Black Jack!!!!!") ;
JFrame frame = new JFrame("");
setVisible(true);
setSize (380, 260) ;
setLocation (450, 200) ;
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation (JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE) ;
setLayout(new FlowLayout());
play = new JButton("Start");
exit = new JButton("exit");
lbl = new JLabel ("Welcome to Theodores Black Jack!!!!!");
add (lbl) ;
add(play, BorderLayout.CENTER);
play.addActionListener (this);
add(exit,BorderLayout.CENTER);
exit.addActionListener (this);
}
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
{
// TODO Auto-generated method stub
BlackJackWindow2 bl = new BlackJackWindow2();
if (event.getSource() == play)
{
bl.BlackJackWindow2();
}
else if(event.getSource() == exit){
System.exit(0);
}
}
second window....
import javax.swing.* ;
import java.awt.event.* ;
import java.awt.* ;
import java.util.* ;
public class BlackJackWindow2 extends JFrame implements ActionListener
{
private JButton hit ;
private JButton stay ;
private JButton back;
//private JLabel lbl;
public void BlackJackWindow2()
{
// TODO Auto-generated method stub
JPanel pane=new JPanel();
setTitle ("Black Jack!!!!!") ;
JFrame frame = new JFrame("");
setVisible(true);
setSize (380, 260) ;
setLocation (450, 200) ;
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation (JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE) ;
setLayout(new FlowLayout());
hit = new JButton("Hit");
stay = new JButton("stay");
back = new JButton("return to main menu");
// add (lbl) ;
add(hit, BorderLayout.CENTER);
hit.addActionListener (this) ;
add(stay,BorderLayout.CENTER);
stay.addActionListener (this) ;
add(back,BorderLayout.CENTER);
back.addActionListener (this) ;
}
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
{
// TODO Auto-generated method stub
BlackJackWindow1 bl = new BlackJackWindow1();
if (event.getSource() == hit)
{
//code for the game goes here i will complete later
}
else if(event.getSource() == stay){
//code for game goes here i will comeplete later.
}
else
{
//this is where i want the frame to close and go back to the original.
}
}
}

The second frame needs a reference to the first frame so that it can set the focus back to the first frame.
Also your classes extend JFrame but they are also creating other frames in their constructors.

A couple of suggestions:
You're adding components to a JPanel that uses FlowLayout but are using BorderLayout constants when doing this which you shouldn't do as it doesn't make sense:
add(play, BorderLayout.CENTER);
Rather, if using FlowLayout, just add the components without those constants.
Also, rather than swap JFrames, you might want to consider using a CardLayout and swapping veiws in a single JFrame. For instance:
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;
public class FooBarBazDriver {
private static final String INTRO = "intro";
private static final String GAME = "game";
private CardLayout cardlayout = new CardLayout();
private JPanel mainPanel = new JPanel(cardlayout);
private IntroPanel introPanel = new IntroPanel();
private GamePanel gamePanel = new GamePanel();
public FooBarBazDriver() {
mainPanel.add(introPanel.getMainComponent(), INTRO);
mainPanel.add(gamePanel.getMainComponent(), GAME);
introPanel.addBazBtnActionListener(new ActionListener() {
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
cardlayout.show(mainPanel, GAME);
}
});
gamePanel.addBackBtnActionListener(new ActionListener() {
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
cardlayout.show(mainPanel, INTRO);
}
});
}
private JComponent getMainComponent() {
return mainPanel;
}
private static void createAndShowUI() {
JFrame frame = new JFrame("Foo Bar Baz");
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
frame.getContentPane().add(new FooBarBazDriver().getMainComponent());
frame.pack();
frame.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
frame.setVisible(true);
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
java.awt.EventQueue.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
public void run() {
createAndShowUI();
}
});
}
}
class IntroPanel {
private JPanel mainPanel = new JPanel();
private JButton baz = new JButton("Baz");
private JButton exit = new JButton("Exit");
public IntroPanel() {
mainPanel.setLayout(new FlowLayout());
baz = new JButton("Start");
exit = new JButton("exit");
mainPanel.add(new JLabel("Hello World"));
mainPanel.add(baz);
mainPanel.add(exit);
exit.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
Window win = SwingUtilities.getWindowAncestor(mainPanel);
win.dispose();
}
});
}
public void addBazBtnActionListener(ActionListener listener) {
baz.addActionListener(listener);
}
public JComponent getMainComponent() {
return mainPanel;
}
}
class GamePanel {
private static final Dimension MAIN_SIZE = new Dimension(400, 200);
private JPanel mainPanel = new JPanel();
private JButton foo;
private JButton bar;
private JButton back;
public GamePanel() {
foo = new JButton("Foo");
bar = new JButton("Bar");
back = new JButton("return to main menu");
mainPanel.add(foo);
mainPanel.add(bar);
mainPanel.add(back);
mainPanel.setPreferredSize(MAIN_SIZE);
}
public JComponent getMainComponent() {
return mainPanel;
}
public void addBackBtnActionListener(ActionListener listener) {
back.addActionListener(listener);
}
}

Since I had to test it myself if it is in fact so easy to implement, I built this simple example. It demonstrates a solution to your problem. Slightly inspired by #jzd's answer (+1 for that).
import java.awt.Color;
import java.awt.HeadlessException;
import java.awt.event.MouseAdapter;
import java.awt.event.MouseEvent;
import java.awt.event.MouseListener;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.SwingUtilities;
public class FocusChangeTwoFrames
{
public static void main(String[] args)
{
SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable()
{
#Override
public void run()
{
createGUI();
}
});
}
private static void createGUI() throws HeadlessException
{
final JFrame f2 = new JFrame();
f2.getContentPane().setBackground(Color.GREEN);
final JFrame f1 = new JFrame();
f1.getContentPane().setBackground(Color.RED);
f1.setSize(400, 300);
f1.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
f1.setVisible(true);
MouseListener ml = new MouseAdapter()
{
#Override
public void mousePressed(MouseEvent e)
{
if(f1.hasFocus())
f2.requestFocus();
else
f1.requestFocus();
}
};
f1.addMouseListener(ml);
f2.setSize(400, 300);
f2.setLocation(200, 150);
f2.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
f2.setVisible(true);
f2.addMouseListener(ml);
}
}
Enjoy, Boro.