how the size of jpanel components in a specific layout can be set?

Question

I'm a beginner and I want to design the gui of the windows calculator in java. I have set some jpanels(Gridlayout) with some jbuttons in each. I set the size of the buttons this way:

jButton[i].setPreferredSize(new Dimension(42, 42));

but buttons in differen jpanels don't have the same size. what should I do?

[Don't use `setPreferredSize()` when you really mean to override `getPreferredSize()`](http://stackoverflow.com/q/7229226/230513). — trashgod, Apr 24 '14 at 12:54
`unfortunately, this is not allowed here!` - Correct, we don't want your application. We do want a [SSCCE](http://www.sscce.org/) which demonstrates your problem. — camickr, Apr 24 '14 at 15:51

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 10:32

jButton[i].setPreferredSize(new Dimension(42, 42));

There are 3 easy ways to make buttons larger.

Use a big Icon for the button
Use a big Font for the button (preferably via a PLAF).
Set a large margin around the text and icon.

As to setting the preferred size. See Should I avoid the use of set(Preferred|Maximum|Minimum)Size methods in Java Swing? (Yes.)

If you are still intent on going that route, take the advice of @trashgod and override the preferred size instead.

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Apr 24 '14 at 06:13

0

You should also set the same size for your jpanels

ie. jpanel.setBounds(startingWidth, startingHeight, actualWidth, actualHeight);

and then add these to your container panel.

answered Apr 24 '14 at 06:13

tas

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4

Java GUIs might have to work on a number of platforms, on different screen resolutions & using different PLAFs. As such they are not conducive to exact placement of components. To organize the components for a robust GUI, instead use layout managers, or [combinations of them](http://stackoverflow.com/a/5630271/418556), along with layout padding & borders for [white space](http://stackoverflow.com/q/17874717/418556). – Andrew Thompson Apr 25 '14 at 04:07

how the size of jpanel components in a specific layout can be set?

2 Answers2