Java GUI Application Learning Trail

What is a GUI application?

A graphical user interface (GUI) is an application that uses the standard Java components GUI component set, Swing, and is deployed to the desktop. Like all Java code, Java GUI applications simplify the task of creating desktop applications because they can be run on any platform.

The GUI Builder in NetBeans IDE has long provided advanced GUI application support. In NetBeans IDE 5.0, this support was greatly enhanced with new tools (code named project Matisse) that makes the layout design of visual forms much easier. In NetBeans IDE 6.0, support for the Swing Application Framework and Beans Binding technologies has been added.

Getting Started

Introduction to GUI Building

Tutorials and Articles

Designing GUIs

GUI Building in NetBeans IDE NetBeans IDE GUI Builder Visual Feedback Legend

Adding Functionality

Building a Java Desktop Database Application Creating a Custom Desktop Database Application Binding Beans and Data in a Desktop Application Using Hibernate in a Java Swing Application Introduction to the Swing Application Framework NetBeans Magazine: UI Design in NetBeans 6.0

Internationalization

Internationalizing a GUI Form

Screencasts

Swing Application Framework and Beans Binding with NetBeans IDE 6.0

All Screencasts

Sample Applications

Mars Rover Beans Binding GUI Form Examples Document Editor

All Sample Applications

Community-Contributed Docs

Simple GUI-based Parser using StringTokenizer Using Netbeans Matisse And Eclipse In Parallel Persistence, Binding, Annotations: an example with NetBeans6.0 and Access Using the GUI Editor

All Community-Contributed Docs

Other Resources

GUI Editor FAQs java.sun.com Swing Tutorial An Introduction to the Swing Application Framework API (JSR-296) Patrick Keegan's Blog