Java Applet Menu

Question

I'm trying to make a Java applet with a menu (stretching across the screen with different mode options), and I want to make it have two different modes.

Is the best way to do this making two different applets that are run by a application, or should I use something different like a JFrame (I would rather use an Applet), or should I use a bunch of if statements in the paint method and such?

1) Why code an applet? If it is due due to spec. by teacher, please refer them to [Why CS teachers should stop teaching Java applets](http://programmers.blogoverflow.com/2013/05/why-cs-teachers-should-stop-teaching-java-applets/). 2) Why AWT rather than Swing? See this answer on [Swing extras over AWT](http://stackoverflow.com/a/6255978/418556) for many good reasons to abandon using AWT components. If you need to support older AWT based APIs, see [Mixing Heavyweight and Lightweight Components](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/articles/java/mixing-components-433992.html). — Andrew Thompson, Jun 27 '13 at 06:32

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 27 '13 at 01:07

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You have a number of options.

Personally, I would start with a custom component (say JPanel), which has the ability of accepting Actions

I would then create a JButton per Action you add on this panel. I would then add this panel to the main, top level container.

This allows you to produce a configurable base menu and separate the logic of each menu item from the concerns of the menu interface.

Take a look at How to use Actions for more details

answered Jun 27 '13 at 01:07

MadProgrammer

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Why the panel when this sounds more like a `JMenu`? Note that `JApplet` implements `setJMenuBar(..)`. – Andrew Thompson Jun 27 '13 at 06:10
Cause I believe OP wants some kind "dashboard" style menu, like a game menu screen...could be wrong... – MadProgrammer Jun 27 '13 at 06:12

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 27 '13 at 00:27

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I think you should think about another possibilities if you're developing a web application, like, for instance, jQuery, JavaFX, JSF...

answered Jun 27 '13 at 00:27

Crom

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This doesn't answer the OP's question and could insight debate, at best, this should be kept to comments in the future – MadProgrammer Jun 27 '13 at 00:29

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 27 '13 at 00:28

There is a bit of confusion there I believe. Your Applet will be your application host, the JFrame is an object that is typically a "host" on its own (standalone application), so: "I use something different like a JFrame(I would rather use an Applet)" makes no sense.

You want to have an applet with a menu, and to get that you have to do what you normally do in a java standalone application:

JMenuBar - Part 1

You don't need to create a JFrame either, because an applet is a top level container, so using a JPanel will do.

Java Applet Menu

3 Answers3