Advance Java Unit 1: JFC and AWT

Java Foundation Classes (JFC)

• JFC is a set of API that provides a framework for building graphical user interfaces (GUIs) in Java.
• Includes the Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT), Swing, and Java 2D.

Swing

• Swing is a part of JFC that offers a rich set of GUI components for Java applications.
• Allows for a more flexible and customizable interface compared to AWT.

Differences Between Swing and AWT

• Swing components are lightweight, meaning they do not rely on the native operating system's GUI, whereas AWT components are heavyweight and have native peer components.
• Swing provides advanced features like double buffering and support for pluggable look and feel (PL&F).

Pluggable Look and Feel (PL&F)

• PL&F allows developers to create customizable user interfaces; styles can be changed dynamically at runtime.
• Users can modify how components look without changing their functionality.

Component Types and Features

• Heavyweight AWT components have native pixels that directly correspond to the operating system's graphics.
• A key feature of Swing is its lightweight nature, leading to better performance and flexibility.

MVC Pattern in Swing

• MVC stands for Model-View-Controller, an architectural pattern Swing components follow to separate data handling, user interface, and user input.
• This allows for easier maintenance and scalability of applications.

Package and Import

• Swing components are primarily imported through the javax.swing package.

Advantages of Swing

• Main advantage over AWT is the lightweight nature of Swing components, allowing them to be drawn and controlled purely in Java.
• Swing components can dynamically respond to GUI changes, enhancing user interaction.

JComponent Class

• The JComponent class is the base class for all visual components in JFC, providing the foundation for custom components in Swing.

Architecture of Swing

• Swing follows a lightweight architecture, enabling advanced GUI elements that can be rendered quickly and in a more visually rich manner.

AWT Definition

• AWT stands for Abstract Window Toolkit, the original Java GUI toolkit providing basic UI components.

Summary of Swing Advantages

• One advantage of Swing's lightweight nature is the ability to have on-screen components with instant rendering and user interface manipulation.

Test your knowledge of Java Foundation Classes (JFC) and Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT) in this quiz. Learn about the graphical framework for building portable Java-based graphical user interfaces and the set of application program interfaces used by Java programmers to create GUI objects.