Exercise #2: Windows and widgets

The Java libraries include a variety of classes for the composition of graphical user interfaces, including Frame, Checkbox, TextField. and AWTEvent. Using these classes, it is possible to implement simple user interfaces with a familiar and conventional appearance in a system-independent way. This week's exercise will acquaint you with the general approach to GUI implementation that Java's awt library classes support.

The exercise is to extend or modify the OptionValues class from exercise #1, adding a method that, when invoked, opens a new window and displays in it the current value of each supported option -- a check box for each Boolean option, with a check mark in it if the current value of the option is true, and a text field for each integer or string option, with the value of the option displayed in the box.

For additional credit, allow the user to change the values of the options by clicking on any of the check boxes and editing any of the text fields. Also supply a way for the user to dismiss the window (without shutting down the entire program).

This exercise will be due on Wednesday, October 13.


created October 6, 1999
last revised October 7, 1999

John David Stone (stone@cs.grinnell.edu)