Abstract Window Toolkit
An
API that provides graphical user interfaces for Java programs. The Abstract
Window Toolkit (AWT) also provides imaging tools, event-handling methods,
layout managers, and data transfer classes. The AWT components are implemented
using native-platform versions of the components and have largely been replaced
by the Swing components, which have a pluggable look and feel.
Applet
A
program, written in the Java programming language, that runs in a web browser.
Application
A
standalone software program that enables the user to perform a specific task,
such as database
management.
Class
A
group of attributes and methods that define the implementation of a particular
type of object.
Component
An
object that is identified by its properties, operations, and relationships. For
example, a button is a visual component whose properties include size and
foreground and background color.
Component Inspector
An
IDE window in which you can view both the visual (such as a button) and non-visual
(such as a layout manager) components in your application. From the Component
Inspector, you can modify a component's properties and specify its events.
Component palette
A
collection of IDE toolbars that provides easy access to frequently used components,
including AWT and Swing components. You can create your user interface by
clicking a component in the component palette and then clicking in the Form
Editor.
Container
A
component that contains other components. Windows and dialog boxes are examples
of top-level containers. Panels, scroll
panes, and tabbed panes are examples of intermediate-level containers.
Dynamic Code Completion
The
IDE’s automatic completion of an expression that you are typing in the Editor
window.
Editor
An
IDE tool for editing Java, HTML, and plain text files as well as files
specified by modules.
Event
An
action to which an object can respond. Most events are initiated by a user
action, such as a click, key press, or mouse movement.
Event handler
A
method that is called when an event is triggered on a component.
Form Editor window
An
IDE area for creating and modifying a graphical interface. You can select a
component (such as a panel, scroll bar, or menu) in the component palette and
add it to your graphical interface by clicking in the Form Editor window.
IDE
Integrated
Development Environment. A window or
program that provides a unified view of all objects and files in a Java
project.
Java Foundation Classes
An
extension to the Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT) that provides the Swing classes,
a collection of graphical user interface components with a pluggable look and
feel. The Java Foundation Classes (JFC) also provide the Java Accessibility
API, which can be used to create applications that interact with assistive
technologies. For the Java 2 platform, the JFC also includes the Java 2D API
(for 2D graphics and imaging) and drag and drop.
Layout manager
A
property of a container component that controls the size and location of
components within the container. A layout manager ensures that the container
can adjust to resizing and to differences between systems, such as different
font sizes. The Java platform supplies six layout managers: BorderLayout,
BoxLayout, CardLayout, FlowLayout, GridBagLayout, and GridLayout.
Method
A
procedure that belongs to a class and that can be applied to a specific object
or the class itself.
Module
An
independent piece of software that is part of a larger program but is usually
compiled separately. Modules are implemented in such a way that you can change
one module without affecting the other modules in the program.
Package
A
collection of Java classes and interfaces, grouped in a single entity.
Project
A
collection of files that make up an applet or application. The files in a project
can be operated on as a whole.
Property
An
attribute or characteristic of a GUI object that you can set. The properties of
an object might define its size, color, and value.
Swing components
A
collection of GUI components with a pluggable look and feel so you can design
an application that can have the look and feel of any OS platform. Swing is
part of the Java Foundation Classes and includes interface elements such as
windows, dialog boxes, choosers, panels, panes, menus, controls, text components,
tables, lists, and tree views.
Template
Software
code that serves as a guide for creating a component. A template provides the
initial appearance and behavior of the object, which you can easily change.
Workspace
A
collection of windows with related functions. For example, when you edit your
user interface, you use a workspace that displays the Component Inspector, the
Form Editor, and the source Editor. When you debug your program, you use a
workspace that displays a window for setting breakpoints, monitoring threads,
and watching the value of variables.