Introduction to the Java Foundation Classes
Rev. 1.0 

This 2-day module introduces the Java programmer to the Java Foundation Classes – a.k.a. Swing – the new comprehensive framework for GUI development using Java. The student will study the fundamentals of the JFC architecture – including a review of key AWT concepts, if necessary – and quickly move to building simple JFC frame-based applications.  The standard controls are covered, including labels, text components, buttons, listboxes, and comboboxes.  (For coverage of tree and table controls look to our module Advanced Data Structures and JFC.)  Architectural patterns are emphasized, especially JFC’s strict use of the Model-View-Controller paradigm.  Understanding the thorough use of this pattern in JFC is critical to using the framework effectively.  Event handling is treated, both handling AWT-style events, such as action events from button clicks, and handling events fired by the model that lies under a particular control. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

·        Understand the basics of the JFC architecture.

·        Build simple GUI applications using JFC.

·        Build more complex GUIs using various JFC controls.

·        Use the many hooks into the JFC architecture to easily customize rendering and editing within JFC controls.

·        Understand the significance of the MVC decomposition in using JFC controls.

·        Build GUI classes that make effective use of events as fired from model, view and controller elements of the GUI itself. 

Course Duration:  2 days. 

Prerequisites: 

·        Solid experience with Java programming is required. 

·        A firm understanding of OO concepts is strongly recommended. 

·        Knowledge of AWT is strongly recommended, but some review is done and very little direct AWT coding is involved in the module.

Within Object Innovations’ Java curriculum a good preparation for this module would be the first three modules of our Java Programming course, and possibly the fourth module module, which covers AWT.

1.  Introduction to JFC 

Abstract Windowing Toolkit Basics
Simple Layout Management
Simple Event Handling
Lightweight Controls
JFC Feature Set
JFC Architecture and Relationship to AWT 

2.  JFC Application Design 

Role of a JFrame
Building a Frame-Based JFC Application
Panes
Using Dialogs 

3.  JFC Components 

JFC Component Class Hierarchy
JComponent Features
Simple Control Types
Text Components
Menus
Managing Look and Feel 

4.  Architectural Patterns 

Observer Pattern
Model-View-Controller Decomposition
Strategy Pattern
JList
Factory Pattern
JComboBox 

Appendix A. References 

Appendix B. JFC Event Sources – Quick Reference 

System Requirements 

JDK 1.2 and the JavaIDL compiler are required.  Any system that supports both of these will support the lab software.  A TCP network between student machines is strongly recommended but not critical.