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How to pass JTextfield info from a JDialog into a JFrame (separate classes)

I have been trying to pass the info of my JTextField that is in a JDialog into my JFrame. Both the JDialog and JFrame are in separate classes. I have tried to store the JTextField into a JLable using the .setText and .getText and then passing the JLable into the JFrame but with no luck.
I know there are many similar questions but I have tried many different approaches but still no luck. I am relatively new to Java and do not know all the in's and out's. Any help is very appreciated!
My code for the JFrame:
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
import java.beans.PropertyChangeEvent;
import java.beans.PropertyChangeListener;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
public class StockApp extends JFrame implements PropertyChangeListener {
private JPanel main = new JPanel();
private JPanel north = new JPanel();
private JPanel center = new JPanel();
private JPanel south = new JPanel();
private JButton buyStock = new JButton("Buy Stock");
private JButton sellStock = new JButton("Sell Stock");
public TestTest variables = new TestTest();
private JLabel stockNameNorth = new JLabel("Stock Name");
private JLabel stockPriceNorth = new JLabel("Stock Price");
String stockName = variables.getStockName();
String stockPrice = variables.getStockPrice();
public StockApp() {
setTitle("StockApp");
getContentPane().setBackground(Color.white);
setSize(400,400);
setLocation(500,200);
setVisible(true);
main.setLayout(new BorderLayout());
north.setLayout(new FlowLayout());
center.setLayout(new FlowLayout());
south.setLayout(new FlowLayout());
stockNameNorth.setText(stockName);
stockPriceNorth.setText(stockPrice);
add(main);
north.add(stockNameNorth);
north.add(stockPriceNorth);
south.add(buyStock);
south.add(sellStock);
main.add(north, BorderLayout.NORTH);
main.add(center, BorderLayout.CENTER);
main.add(south, BorderLayout.SOUTH);
}
}
And Dialog:
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
public class TestTest extends JDialog implements ActionListener {
private JPanel main = new JPanel();
private JPanel north = new JPanel();
private JPanel center = new JPanel();
private JPanel south = new JPanel();
private JLabel stockNameLabel = new JLabel("Stock name: ");
private JLabel stockPriceLabel = new JLabel("Stock price(£): ");
private JTextField stockNameIn = new JTextField(5);
private JTextField stockPriceIn = new JTextField(5);
private JButton buttonOK = new JButton("OK");
public JLabel stockPrice = new JLabel();
public JLabel stockName = new JLabel();
public TestTest() {
getContentPane().setBackground(Color.white);
setSize(400,400);
setLocation(500,200);
setModal(false);
setVisible(true);
getRootPane().setDefaultButton(buttonOK);
main.setLayout(new BorderLayout());
north.setLayout(new FlowLayout());
center.setLayout(new FlowLayout());
south.setLayout(new FlowLayout());
add(main);
north.add(stockNameLabel);
north.add(stockNameIn);
center.add(stockPriceLabel);
center.add(stockPriceIn);
south.add(buttonOK);
main.add(north, BorderLayout.NORTH);
main.add(center, BorderLayout.CENTER);
main.add(south, BorderLayout.SOUTH);
buttonOK.addActionListener(this);
}
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
if (e.getSource() == buttonOK){
stockName.setText(stockNameIn.getText());
stockPrice.setText(stockPriceIn.getText());
dispose();
new StockApp();
}
}
public String getStockName() {
return stockNameIn.getText();
}
public String getStockPrice() {
return stockPriceIn.getText();
}
}
I am trying to pass the stockName and stockPrice variables from the JDialog into the JFrame. I then want the name and price to display at the top of the JFrame.

For demonstration, what the problem is, we need less Fields and Buttons.
So far, no component of StockApp needs to be accessed from different methods, so there is no need to make them visible outside of the ctor.
More explanations in the code.
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.ActionEvent;
import java.awt.event.ActionListener;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
public class StockApp extends JFrame {
public StockApp() {
// move those unreferenced panels here, so we don't have to reason about them:
JPanel main = new JPanel();
JPanel north = new JPanel();
JPanel center = new JPanel();
JPanel south = new JPanel();
// add price later, when name works
JButton buyStock = new JButton("Buy Stock");
JLabel stockNameNorth = new JLabel("Stock Name");
// critical change: Make the label, which you like to update,
// accessible by whom it should be updated:
TestTest variables = new TestTest (stockNameNorth);
setTitle ("StockApp");
getContentPane().setBackground(Color.white);
setSize (600,400);
setLocation (500,200);
setVisible (true);
// make the close-frame action terminate the program:
setDefaultCloseOperation (JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
main.setLayout (new BorderLayout());
north.setLayout (new FlowLayout());
center.setLayout (new FlowLayout());
south.setLayout (new FlowLayout());
add (main);
north.add (stockNameNorth);
south.add (buyStock);
main.add (north, BorderLayout.NORTH);
main.add (center, BorderLayout.CENTER);
main.add (south, BorderLayout.SOUTH);
}
// Main method to start the damn thing
public static void main(String[] args) {
SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
new StockApp ();
}
});
}
}
// no need to make this class public in a short test:
class TestTest extends JDialog implements ActionListener {
// this are elements, visible outside the construction phase,
// we need to have access to from more than one method.
// Make this important distinction visible to the reader:
JLabel name;
JTextField stockNameIn = new JTextField (5);
JButton buttonOK = new JButton ("OK");
// add the JLabel to update to the ctor, so that it can't be forgotten
// to be set
public TestTest (JLabel pname) {
// we copy the reference to the label, to have access to it in
// the actionPerformed method.
name = pname;
JPanel main = new JPanel();
JPanel north = new JPanel();
JPanel center = new JPanel();
JPanel south = new JPanel();
JLabel stockNameLabel = new JLabel ("Stock name: ");
getContentPane().setBackground(Color.white);
// different size/location than frame, so that they don't hide
// each other completly
setSize (400,600);
setLocation (700,300);
setModal (false);
setVisible (true);
getRootPane().setDefaultButton(buttonOK);
main.setLayout (new BorderLayout());
north.setLayout (new FlowLayout());
center.setLayout (new FlowLayout());
south.setLayout (new FlowLayout());
add (main);
north.add (stockNameLabel);
north.add (stockNameIn);
south.add (buttonOK);
main.add (north, BorderLayout.NORTH);
main.add (center, BorderLayout.CENTER);
main.add (south, BorderLayout.SOUTH);
buttonOK.addActionListener(this);
}
// here we need access to the button - was it the OK-Button, clicked?
// and the textfield stockNameIn, to read the text
// and the name field from the frame, to set the text
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
if (e.getSource () == buttonOK) {
name.setText (stockNameIn.getText());
dispose();
}
}
}

Two Split pane place on a tabpane

import java.awt.BorderLayout;
import java.awt.Container;
import java.awt.Dimension;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.JTabbedPane;
import javax.swing.UIManager;
import javax.swing.UnsupportedLookAndFeelException;
import javax.swing.JList;
import javax.swing.JSplitPane;
import javax.swing.JLabel;
import java.awt.EventQueue;
import java.awt.GridLayout;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.List;
import javax.swing.DefaultListModel;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JList;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.event.ListSelectionEvent;
public class MenuPage extends JFrame{
final static int extraWindowWidth = 100;
JSplitPane jSplitPane, jSplitPane2,jSplitPane3,jSplitPane4;
JPanel jPanel2a, jPanel2b, jPanel3;
public static JFrame frame;
public MenuPage(){
}
private final JList<String> list1=new JList<>(new String[]{"A","B"});
private final JList<String> list2 = new JList<>();
private final List<DefaultListModel> models = new ArrayList<>();
public void addComponentToPane(Container pane) {
JTabbedPane tabbedPane = new JTabbedPane();
// Create the "cards".
JPanel card1 = new JPanel() {
// Make the panel wider than it really needs, so
// the window's wide enough for the tabs to stay
// in one row.
public Dimension getPreferredSize() {
Dimension size = super.getPreferredSize();
size.width += extraWindowWidth;
return size;
}
};
DefaultListModel<String> model1 = new DefaultListModel<>();
model1.addElement("A1");
model1.addElement("A2");
model1.addElement("A3");
models.add(model1);
DefaultListModel<String> model2 = new DefaultListModel<>();
model2.addElement("B1");
model2.addElement("B2");
models.add(model2);
list2.setModel(model1);
list1.addListSelectionListener((ListSelectionEvent e) -> {
if (!e.getValueIsAdjusting()) {
list2.setModel(models.get(list1.getSelectedIndex()));
}
});
jPanel2a = new JPanel();
jPanel2b = new JPanel();
jPanel3 = new JPanel();
jSplitPane2 = new JSplitPane(JSplitPane.HORIZONTAL_SPLIT, jPanel2a, jPanel2b);
jSplitPane3 = new JSplitPane(JSplitPane.HORIZONTAL_SPLIT, list1, list2);
jSplitPane4 = new JSplitPane(JSplitPane.HORIZONTAL_SPLIT,jSplitPane3,jPanel3);
// panelin icerisine component eklendi
JLabel lblHelloWorld = new JLabel("Hello World!");
jPanel2a.add(lblHelloWorld);
jSplitPane2.setOneTouchExpandable(true);
jSplitPane2.setDividerLocation(100);
jSplitPane3.setOneTouchExpandable(true);
jSplitPane3.setDividerLocation(150);
jSplitPane4.setOneTouchExpandable(true);
jSplitPane4.setDividerLocation(300);
JPanel card3 = new JPanel();
JPanel card4 = new JPanel();
JPanel card5 = new JPanel();
JPanel card6 = new JPanel();
JPanel card7 = new JPanel();
JPanel card8 = new JPanel();
card3.add(jSplitPane3,jSplitPane4);
tabbedPane.addTab("Main", jSplitPane2);
tabbedPane.addTab("Leagues",jSplitPane4);
tabbedPane.addTab("Teams",card3 );
tabbedPane.addTab("Ratios", card4);
tabbedPane.addTab("Competitions", card5);
tabbedPane.addTab("Analyze", card6);
tabbedPane.addTab("Help", card7);
tabbedPane.addTab("About", card8);
pane.add(tabbedPane, BorderLayout.CENTER);
}
/**
* Create the GUI and show it. For thread safety, this method should be
* invoked from the event dispatch thread.
*/
public static void createAndShowGUI() {
// Create and set up the window.
frame = new JFrame("BetAnalyzer");
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
frame.setSize(594, 310);
// Create and set up the content pane.
MenuPage demo = new MenuPage();
demo.addComponentToPane(frame.getContentPane());
// Display the window.
frame.pack();
frame.setVisible(true);
frame.setBounds(100, 100, 635, 251);
}
}
I want the list1, list2, and jpanel3 which takes part 2 JSplitPane to be in the league tab There is something wrong in my code. Just jSplitPane3 or jSplitPane4 could be appear in the layout.
Also, I tried to add two JSplitPane into Box then I put the Box in tabbedpane but this's not working neither.

Your code has several issues.
do not inherit without reason
Your class inherits from JFrame but its does not extend its behavior (it does not override a public or protected method of JFrame).
Components can only be added once
In contrast to the other points this is not an issue per se but part of your problem.
jSplitPane4 = new JSplitPane(JSplitPane.HORIZONTAL_SPLIT,jSplitPane3,jPanel3);
// ...
card3.add(jSplitPane3,jSplitPane4);
When the second statement is executed the jSplitPane3 is removed from the jSplitPane4 and only shown as content of card3.
use of standard layouts
The (dummy) content of your panels is rather small so that their preferedSize is less then the available space in the parent container.
The JPanels default Layout is FlowLayout which reduces each of its components to its preferedSize.
You should set the Layout of your JPanels to BorderLayout which allows its content to stretch out over the complete space.
In turn you cannot use JPanels varag method .add(Component, component)
anymore.
here are the relevant changes:
jPanel2a = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
jPanel2b = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
jPanel3 = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
jSplitPane2 = new JSplitPane(JSplitPane.HORIZONTAL_SPLIT, jPanel2a, jPanel2b);
jSplitPane3 = new JSplitPane(JSplitPane.HORIZONTAL_SPLIT, list1, list2);
jSplitPane4 = new JSplitPane(JSplitPane.HORIZONTAL_SPLIT, jSplitPane3, jPanel3);
// panelin icerisine component eklendi
JLabel lblHelloWorld = new JLabel("Hello World!");
jPanel2a.add(lblHelloWorld);
// jSplitPane2.setOneTouchExpandable(true);
jSplitPane2.setDividerLocation(100);
//
// jSplitPane3.setOneTouchExpandable(true);
jSplitPane3.setDividerLocation(150);
//
// jSplitPane4.setOneTouchExpandable(true);
jSplitPane4.setDividerLocation(300);
JPanel card3 = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
JPanel card4 = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
JPanel card5 = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
JPanel card6 = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
JPanel card7 = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
JPanel card8 = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
// card3.add(jSplitPane3);
card3.add(jSplitPane4,BorderLayout.SOUTH);
tabbedPane.addTab("Main", jSplitPane2);

Adding JPanel from another class in JFrame When Button Clicked

Hi i'm new to Java and kinda lost in the codes i tried to write. It compiles with no error but everything i added on panel don't show up on the frame
Here's my code:
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;
import javax.swing.border.*;
import java.awt.image.*;
import javax.imageio.*;
import java.io.*;
public class Mainframe extends JFrame {
private AddingWindow addingWindow = new AddingWindow(); //Passing AddingWindow Class to the Main Class as statement
private JFrame addingWindowFrame = new JFrame(); //This is the frame i wanted to add the JPanel with its labels and buttons
public Mainframe() {
JPanel controlPanel = new JPanel();
controlPanel.setLayout(new GridLayout(1 ,1));
JButton addingBtn = new JButton("Add");
controlPanel.add(addingBtn);
//Add controlPanel to the mainframe
setLayout(new BorderLayout());
add(controlPanel, BorderLayout.WEST);
//Set showAddingPanel button event
addingBtn.addActionListener (new ActionListener(){
#Override
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
addingWindowFrame.setVisible(true);
}
});
addingWindowFrame.pack();
addingWindowFrame.setTitle("Title);
addingWindowFrame.setSize(600, 400);
addingWindowFrame.setResizable(false);
addingWindowFrame.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
addingWindowFrame.getContentPane().add(addingWindow); //Here i'm adding JPanel Class to the Frame
}
//Main method
public static void main(String[] args) {
JFrame mainFrame = new Mainframe();
mainFrame.setTitle("\"Mainframe\"");
mainFrame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
mainFrame.setVisible(true);
mainFrame.setExtendedState(Frame.MAXIMIZED_BOTH);
mainFrame.setMinimumSize(new Dimension(800, 600));
}
}
This is the other panel Class file i wanted to show up on the AddingWindowFrame
import java.awt.*;
import javax.swing.*;
public class AddingWindow extends JPanel {
AddingWindow() {
JPanel addingPanel = new JPanel();
addingPanel.setLayout(new GridLayout(2, 2));
JLabel fullNameLbl = new JLabel("Name");
JTextField fullNameTextField = new JTextField(25);
JButton addBtn = new JButton("add");
JButton cancelBtn = new JButton("cancel");
//Adding buttons, label and textfield to addingPanel
addingPanel.add(fullNameLbl);
addingPanel.add(fullNameTextField);
addingPanel.add(addBtn);
addingPanel.add(cancelBtn);
}
}

I think you want to display
What you did is you added all the things to your addingPanel but you forgot to add the addingPanel itself.
import java.awt.*;
import javax.swing.*;
public class AddingWindow extends JPanel {
AddingWindow() {
JPanel addingPanel = new JPanel();
addingPanel.setLayout(new GridLayout(2, 2));
JLabel fullNameLbl = new JLabel("Name");
JTextField fullNameTextField = new JTextField(25);
JButton addBtn = new JButton("add");
JButton cancelBtn = new JButton("cancel");
//Adding buttons, label and textfield to addingPanel
addingPanel.add(fullNameLbl);
addingPanel.add(fullNameTextField);
addingPanel.add(addBtn);
addingPanel.add(cancelBtn);
add(addingPanel);
}
}

You have two frames
MainFrame
AddingWindowFrame -> contains AddingPanel
And when you click on the button you are just displaying the AddingWindowFrame(I guess it should displayed somewhere in the background). Instead you need to add the AddingPanel directly to the currentFrame.
Mainframe.this.getContentPane().add(addingWindow);
But you should check how to use LayoutManagers

Why aren't the Jpanels working?

I am trying to write a program with JPanels and for the life of me, I can't seem to get the JPanels to go into the proper positions. I don't have a clue what I am doing wrong.
Here is some of the code I have so far:
package mainGUIWindowFrames;
import javax.swing.*;
import javax.swing.border.*;
import javax.swing.event.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import java.util.*;
public class CustomerWindow extends JFrame
{
//Attribute
private JTextField textTF;
private JButton copyButton;
private JLabel copyLabel;
private Border panelEdge;
//Constructor
public CustomerWindow()
{
this.setBounds(100,100,800,600);
panelEdge = BorderFactory.createEtchedBorder();
JPanel mainPanel = new JPanel(new BorderLayout(5, 5));
mainPanel.add(createCustomerPanel(), BorderLayout.NORTH);
mainPanel.add(createCustomerInfoPanel(), BorderLayout.EAST);
mainPanel.add(createSearchPanel(), BorderLayout.WEST);
}
//Operational Methods
public JPanel createCustomerPanel()
{
JPanel customerPanel = new JPanel();
JLabel customerL = new JLabel("Clients",SwingConstants.CENTER);
customerL.setForeground(Color.blue);
customerL.setFont(new Font("Copperplate Gothic Bold",Font.BOLD,48));
customerPanel.add(customerL);
customerPanel.setBorder(panelEdge);
return customerPanel;
}
public JPanel createCustomerInfoPanel()
{
JPanel infoPanel = new JPanel();
infoPanel.setBorder(panelEdge);
JLabel infoL = new JLabel("Clients",SwingConstants.CENTER);
infoL.setForeground(Color.blue);
infoL.setFont(new Font("Copperplate Gothic Bold",Font.BOLD,48));
infoPanel.add(infoL);
//add a text field
textTF = new JTextField(50);
infoPanel.add(textTF);
//add a button
copyButton = new JButton("Copy Text");
copyButton.addActionListener(new ButtonListener());
infoPanel.add(copyButton);
copyLabel = new JLabel("-----------------");
infoPanel.add(copyLabel);
return infoPanel;
}
public JPanel createSearchPanel()
{
JPanel lowerPanel = new JPanel();
JLabel label = new JLabel("Text Transferred from JList:");
//the spot where the data shows up
lowerPanel.add(label);
return lowerPanel;
}
The only Panel that shows up is the CreateCustomerPanel(). I have no idea what I need to do to get the other two panels to work.
If you could help me out that would be great!!
well I eventually wound up solving it by creating another panel and moving the panels I had out of the main constructor.
public CustomerWindow() {
panelEdge = BorderFactory.createEtchedBorder();
}
public JPanel createNorthPanel()
{
JPanel customerPanel = new JPanel();
JLabel customerL = new JLabel("Clients",SwingConstants.CENTER);
customerL.setForeground(Color.blue);
customerL.setFont(new Font("Copperplate Gothic Bold",Font.BOLD,48));
customerPanel.add(customerL);
customerPanel.setBorder(panelEdge);
return customerPanel;
}
//Operational Methods
public JPanel createCustomerPanel()
{
JPanel mainPanel = new JPanel(new BorderLayout(5, 5));
mainPanel.add(createNorthPanel(), BorderLayout.NORTH);
mainPanel.add(createCustomerInfoPanel(), BorderLayout.EAST);
mainPanel.add(createSearchPanel(), BorderLayout.WEST);
return mainPanel;
}
public JPanel createCustomerInfoPanel()
{
JPanel infoPanel = new JPanel();
Box vBox = Box.createVerticalBox();
infoPanel.setBorder(panelEdge);
JLabel infoL = new JLabel("Clients",SwingConstants.CENTER);
infoL.setForeground(Color.blue);
infoL.setFont(new Font("Copperplate Gothic Bold",Font.BOLD,48));
infoPanel.add(infoL);
//add a text field
clientId = new JTextField(10);
vBox.add(clientId);
vBox.add(Box.createVerticalStrut(25));
fName = new JTextField(10);
vBox.add(fName);
vBox.add(Box.createVerticalStrut(25));
lName = new JTextField(10);
vBox.add(lName);
vBox.add(Box.createVerticalStrut(25));
address = new JTextField(10);
vBox.add(address);
vBox.add(Box.createVerticalStrut(25));
postalCode = new JTextField(10);
vBox.add(postalCode);
vBox.add(Box.createVerticalStrut(25));
number = new JTextField(10);
vBox.add(number);
vBox.add(Box.createVerticalStrut(25));
type = new JTextField(10);
vBox.add(type);
infoPanel.add(vBox);
return infoPanel;
Ive still got a lot of work to do but thanks to all those who helped me out!!

Based on your example, nothing should show up, as you've not added mainPanel to anything.
Once I did that, I was able to get
to show up...
Modified code example
import java.awt.BorderLayout;
import java.awt.Color;
import java.awt.EventQueue;
import java.awt.Font;
import javax.swing.BorderFactory;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JLabel;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.JTextField;
import javax.swing.SwingConstants;
import javax.swing.UIManager;
import javax.swing.UnsupportedLookAndFeelException;
import javax.swing.border.Border;
public class CustomerWindow extends JFrame {
//Attribute
public static void main(String[] args) {
EventQueue.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
try {
UIManager.setLookAndFeel(UIManager.getSystemLookAndFeelClassName());
} catch (ClassNotFoundException | InstantiationException | IllegalAccessException | UnsupportedLookAndFeelException ex) {
}
CustomerWindow frame = new CustomerWindow();
frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
frame.pack();
frame.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
frame.setVisible(true);
}
});
}
private JTextField textTF;
private JButton copyButton;
private JLabel copyLabel;
private Border panelEdge;
//Constructor
public CustomerWindow() {
this.setBounds(100, 100, 800, 600);
panelEdge = BorderFactory.createEtchedBorder();
JPanel mainPanel = new JPanel(new BorderLayout(5, 5));
mainPanel.add(createCustomerPanel(), BorderLayout.NORTH);
mainPanel.add(createCustomerInfoPanel(), BorderLayout.EAST);
mainPanel.add(createSearchPanel(), BorderLayout.WEST);
add(mainPanel);
}
//Operational Methods
public JPanel createCustomerPanel() {
JPanel customerPanel = new JPanel();
JLabel customerL = new JLabel("Clients", SwingConstants.CENTER);
customerL.setForeground(Color.blue);
customerL.setFont(new Font("Copperplate Gothic Bold", Font.BOLD, 48));
customerPanel.add(customerL);
customerPanel.setBorder(panelEdge);
return customerPanel;
}
public JPanel createCustomerInfoPanel() {
JPanel infoPanel = new JPanel();
infoPanel.setBorder(panelEdge);
JLabel infoL = new JLabel("Clients", SwingConstants.CENTER);
infoL.setForeground(Color.blue);
infoL.setFont(new Font("Copperplate Gothic Bold", Font.BOLD, 48));
infoPanel.add(infoL);
//add a text field
textTF = new JTextField(50);
infoPanel.add(textTF);
//add a button
copyButton = new JButton("Copy Text");
// copyButton.addActionListener(new ButtonListener());
infoPanel.add(copyButton);
copyLabel = new JLabel("-----------------");
infoPanel.add(copyLabel);
return infoPanel;
}
public JPanel createSearchPanel() {
JPanel lowerPanel = new JPanel();
JLabel label = new JLabel("Text Transferred from JList:");
//the spot where the data shows up
lowerPanel.add(label);
return lowerPanel;
}
}

You didn't add the mainpanel in the constructor.
add(mainPanel);

How to program this GUI in Java Swing

I'm currently developing a small utility with the following GUI:
Right now i have a container (JPanel) with the BorderLayout layout that holds everything in place. The i have another 2 JPanels placed on BorderLayout.NORTH and BorderLayout.SOUTH respectively, each whith the GridLayout (2 columns by 1 row). The table is on the main container placed at the CENTER of it.
Do you think this is the best approach? I'm having a rough time dealing with spacing between the components and the borders of the frame.
Right now i have this code:
import java.awt.BorderLayout;
import java.awt.Dimension;
import java.awt.GridLayout;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JLabel;
import javax.swing.JMenu;
import javax.swing.JMenuBar;
import javax.swing.JMenuItem;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.JSeparator;
import javax.swing.JTable;
import javax.swing.SwingUtilities;
public class GUI extends JFrame {
private JButton loadFileBtn = new JButton("Load File");
private JButton generateReportBtn = new JButton("Generate Report");
private JButton exitBtn = new JButton("Exit");
private JLabel fileNameLbl = new JLabel("File Name Here");
private JMenuBar menuBar = new JMenuBar();
private JMenu fileMI = new JMenu("File");
private JMenuItem openFileMenu = new JMenuItem("Open File");
private JSeparator separator = new JSeparator();
private JMenuItem exitMenu = new JMenuItem("Exit");
private JMenu reportMI = new JMenu("Report");
private JMenuItem generateReportMenu = new JMenuItem("Generate Report");
private JMenu helpMI = new JMenu("Help");
private JMenuItem aboutMenu = new JMenuItem("About");
private JTable table = new JTable(5, 2);
private JPanel mainPanel = new JPanel(new BorderLayout(10, 10));
private JPanel panel1 = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
private JPanel panel2 = new JPanel(new GridLayout(1, 2));
private JPanel panel3 = new JPanel(new GridLayout(1, 2));
public GUI() {
super("Sample GUI");
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
setSize(new Dimension(300, 300));
setResizable(false);
setLayout(new BorderLayout(10, 10));
fileMI.add(openFileMenu);
fileMI.add(separator);
fileMI.add(exitMenu);
reportMI.add(generateReportMenu);
helpMI.add(aboutMenu);
menuBar.add(fileMI);
menuBar.add(reportMI);
menuBar.add(helpMI);
setJMenuBar(menuBar);
panel1.add(table, BorderLayout.CENTER);
panel2.add(fileNameLbl);
panel2.add(loadFileBtn);
panel3.add(generateReportBtn);
panel3.add(exitBtn);
mainPanel.add(panel2, BorderLayout.NORTH);
mainPanel.add(panel1, BorderLayout.CENTER);
mainPanel.add(panel3, BorderLayout.SOUTH);
add(mainPanel);
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
GUI app = new GUI();
app.setVisible(true);
}
});
}
}
What do you think would be the best approach to do this?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
UPDATE:
Right now, i have the following GUI
I want the components to space away from the borders evenly, like in the mockup.

2 things you can use to make this happen:
Use BorderFactory.createEmptyBorder(int, int, int, int)
Use the 4-args constructor of GridLayout
There are other LayoutManager's which can bring the same functionality (like GridBagLayout, or using nested BorderLayout), but if you feel comfortable with the current LayoutManager's, there is no imperious need to change to those. The way you did is also acceptable.
You might consider wrapping the table in a JScrollPane to make it nicer, with headers and scrollbars if ever needed.
Small example code:
import java.awt.BorderLayout;
import java.awt.Dimension;
import java.awt.GridLayout;
import javax.swing.BorderFactory;
import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JLabel;
import javax.swing.JMenu;
import javax.swing.JMenuBar;
import javax.swing.JMenuItem;
import javax.swing.JPanel;
import javax.swing.JSeparator;
import javax.swing.JTable;
import javax.swing.SwingUtilities;
public class GUI extends JFrame {
private JButton loadFileBtn = new JButton("Load File");
private JButton generateReportBtn = new JButton("Generate Report");
private JButton exitBtn = new JButton("Exit");
private JLabel fileNameLbl = new JLabel("File Name Here");
private JMenuBar menuBar = new JMenuBar();
private JMenu fileMI = new JMenu("File");
private JMenuItem openFileMenu = new JMenuItem("Open File");
private JSeparator separator = new JSeparator();
private JMenuItem exitMenu = new JMenuItem("Exit");
private JMenu reportMI = new JMenu("Report");
private JMenuItem generateReportMenu = new JMenuItem("Generate Report");
private JMenu helpMI = new JMenu("Help");
private JMenuItem aboutMenu = new JMenuItem("About");
private JTable table = new JTable(5, 2);
private JPanel mainPanel = new JPanel(new BorderLayout(10, 10));
private JPanel panel1 = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
private JPanel panel2 = new JPanel(new GridLayout(1, 2, 10, 10));
private JPanel panel3 = new JPanel(new GridLayout(1, 2, 10, 10));
public GUI() {
super("Sample GUI");
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
setSize(new Dimension(300, 300));
setResizable(false);
setLayout(new BorderLayout(10, 10));
fileMI.add(openFileMenu);
fileMI.add(separator);
fileMI.add(exitMenu);
reportMI.add(generateReportMenu);
helpMI.add(aboutMenu);
menuBar.add(fileMI);
menuBar.add(reportMI);
menuBar.add(helpMI);
setJMenuBar(menuBar);
panel1.add(table, BorderLayout.CENTER);
panel2.add(fileNameLbl);
panel2.add(loadFileBtn);
panel3.add(generateReportBtn);
panel3.add(exitBtn);
mainPanel.add(panel2, BorderLayout.NORTH);
mainPanel.add(panel1, BorderLayout.CENTER);
mainPanel.add(panel3, BorderLayout.SOUTH);
mainPanel.setBorder(BorderFactory.createEmptyBorder(10, 10, 10, 10));
add(mainPanel);
}
public static void main(String[] args) {
SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
#Override
public void run() {
GUI app = new GUI();
app.setVisible(true);
}
});
}
}

In the past, I have found that using MigLayout, solves all my problems

Here's how I would arrange your GUI. This is just one way. It's not the only way.
The JTable goes inside of a JScrollPane.
Button2 and Button3 go inside of a button JPanel with a FlowLayout.
Label and Button1 go inside of a label JPanel with a FlowLayout.
File, Report, and Help are JMenuItems on a JMenuBar.
The main JPanel has a BoxLayout with a Y_AXIS orientation.
Add the label JPanel, the JScrollPane, and the button JPanel to the main JPanel.

The best way is to create a GUI is to code in a way you and others will understand . Take a look at this Guide to Layout Managers. You can use different layout managers for different components. This will help you setting correct spacing.
If your problem is just the spacing around the components, set its Insets.