Components in GridLayout wit JPanel fills the grid

Question

I am trying to prevent the GridLayout in a JPanel from filling the cells entirely and ignoring any setSize of the components

i am using this code:

import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;

public class GrideComponents{
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    JFrame frame = new JFrame("Laying Out Components in a Grid");
    frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
    JPanel panel = new JPanel(new GridLayout(5,2,0,0));
    panel.add(new JLabel("Enter name"));
    JTextField a = new JTextField(5);
    a.setSize(10, 10);
    panel.add(a);
    panel.add(new JLabel("Enter Roll"));
    panel.add(new JTextField(3));
    panel.add(new JLabel("Enter Class"));
    panel.add(new JTextField(3));
    panel.add(new JLabel("Enter Total Marks"));
    panel.add(new JTextField(3));
    panel.add(new JButton("Ok"));
    panel.add(new JButton("Cancel"));
    frame.add(panel);
    frame.setSize(400,400);
    frame.setVisible(true);
  }
}

And every component is filling the gris cell instead of being in the size specified.

Thanks

Answer 1

Read the Swing tutorial on Using Layout Managers so you understand the basics of how layout managers work.

A GridLayout resizes all components to the same size.

When creating a form you will generally nest different panels using different layout managers to get the effect you desire.

In this case you might use a FlowLayout for the buttons. Then you might use a GridBagLayout or SpringLayout for the other components.

Answer 2

BoxLayout is a useful alternative in this context, as seen in this example.

Answer 3

Have you tried setting setMaximumSize and setPreferredSize?

In any case, I recommend you try MiGLayout for all your layout needs. You'll be surprised by it's simplicity!

Answer 4

The whole point of GridLayout is to layout the components in a regular grid. Your setSize calls will be overridden by the layout manager. Possibly setPreferredSize or setMaximumSize may work, but it is up to the layout manager to decide to take them into account.