How do I use multiple JPanel containers to make this code look like this?
This is the image of what my code is supposed to be like but I cant figure it out.I can only use GridLayout, BorderLayout and FlowLayout. As a beginner, We've only been over basic concepts but I need more help.
I am also not permitted to use GridBagLayout. I appreciate all the help.
Best Answer
A common strategy to solve complex computing tasks, is to break them into small, well defined manageable tasks. Divide and conquer.
This also applies to gui: break the design into small, easy to layout containers.
In this case, consider dividing the design into 3 areas (JPanels) nested in a main JPanel:
If you can't use GridBagLayout you can implement bottom panel using BoxLayout.BoxLayout is a valid option also for main panel, to allow for different child panels (top, center, bottom) height.
Demo:
import java.awt.Color;import java.awt.Dimension;import java.awt.GridLayout;import javax.swing.BoxLayout;import javax.swing.JFrame;import javax.swing.JPanel;public class Lab1 extends JFrame{public Lab1() {setDefaultCloseOperation(EXIT_ON_CLOSE);JPanel main = new JPanel(new GridLayout(3,1));//to allow different child-panels height use BoxLayout//BoxLayout boxLayout = new BoxLayout(main, BoxLayout.Y_AXIS);add(main);JPanel top = new JPanel(new GridLayout(1,3));main.add(top);top.add(getPanel(Color.RED));top.add(getPanel(Color.GREEN));top.add(getPanel(Color.BLUE));JPanel center = new JPanel(new GridLayout(1,4));main.add(center);center.add(getPanel(Color.YELLOW));center.add(getPanel(Color.CYAN));center.add(getPanel(Color.BLACK));center.add(getPanel(Color.LIGHT_GRAY));JPanel bottom = new JPanel();bottom.setLayout(new BoxLayout(bottom, BoxLayout.LINE_AXIS));main.add(bottom);bottom.add(getPanel(Color.PINK));JPanel rightPane = getPanel(Color.MAGENTA);rightPane.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(900, 200));bottom.add(rightPane);pack();setVisible(true);}private JPanel getPanel(Color color) {JPanel panel = new JPanel();panel.setBackground(color);panel.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(300, 200));return panel;}public static void main(String args[]){new Lab1();}}