Creating a JPanel Using Swing in Java

In this lesson, you will learn.

• Working with JPanel
• Constructors and Methods of JPanel
• Examples

What is a JPanel

JPanel is a generic lightweight container in Java Swing and is used to organize and group other components inside a window.

Constructors of JPanel

Creating a JPanel

You can create JPanel by using the following code snippet:

class JPanelDemo extends JFrame 
{ 
   //Code
} 

OR

class JPanelDemo {
       JPanel obj; 
       public JPanelDemo() 
       {  
            obj = new JPanel(); 
       } 
} 

Example-1: Creating a JPanel

package jpanel;

import java.awt.Color;

import javax.swing.JFrame;
import javax.swing.JPanel;

public class JPanelDemo extends JFrame 
{ 
	JPanel obj; 
	public JPanelDemo() 
	{ 	
		//Set properties of JFrame
		setTitle("JPanel Demo"); 
		setVisible(true); 
		setSize(300,200);
		//Create a JPanel
		obj = new JPanel(); 
		//set the color of a JPanel
		obj.setBackground(Color.pink);
		//Adding a jpanel to the JFrame
		add(obj); 
	} 
	public static void main(String[] args) 
	{ 
		JPanelDemo jPanel = new JPanelDemo(); 
	} 
}

Output

By default, a panel is not visible on the frame. To make it visible, you need to set the properties, such as background color or border.

Difference Between JFrame and JPanel

JFrame

• Purpose: To create a window where other components can be added.
• Characteristics:
  • Can exist independently.
  • Contains window decorations (title bar, close/minimize/maximize buttons).
  • Can be resized, moved, minimized, and maximized.
  • Has methods to control window behaviors, like setDefaultCloseOperation, pack, and setVisible.
  • Typically used to create the main application window or dialogs.

Default Layout Manager: BorderLayout

JPanel

Purpose: To organize and group components within a container.Characteristics:

• Cannot exist independently; must be added to a container like JFrame.
• No window decorations.
• Used for layout management and organizing components.
• Can be nested within other panels or containers to create complex layouts.

Default Layout Manager: FlowLayout

Summary of Common Methods in JPanel

End of the lesson….enjoy learning

Student Ratings and Reviews

Submit a Review