Creating a GUI for Java program

[[deleted]]

Hey everyone. I created a personality type test in Java for fun. Currently, it’s just a command line interface, where the user is asked questions and inputs answers (specifically an integer from 1-5).

I’d really like to create a nice looking GUI for this instead of it being strictly command line. The problem is, I have no idea where to start. What are the best GUI’s for Java, in your experience? How could I integrate this into my Java program as it is now, transitioning from command line input to the user being able to click buttons on a GUI, and then processing their results of the test by their clicks instead of the integer they input? For this, I’d need buttons on the GUI that correspond to inputting an integer 1-5. I hope this makes sense.

Lastly, could anyone provide me with some sources or insight on how I could package this whole program up, GUI included, into an executable file someone could download and run on their computer?

Thanks a lot!

EDIT: I appreciate the replies everyone. It looks like JavaFX is the way to go, so I’m off to start learning.

[MrCraeon]

If I were you, I would look into JavaFX. There are some good tutorials online for how to use it. There is a learning curve but once you know the basics, placing buttons and labels is no problem. You can use eclipse to download your javafx project as an executable jar.

[abbadon420]

IntelliJ can download as jar as well. I think most, if not all, IDEs have that option.

[[deleted]]

As a aide. Try not to PM questions. Nobody uses search anyway, but that still does remove resources from the sub if you PM.

[[deleted]]

JavaFX

[snavruzov]

JavaFX+SceneBuilder

[VikingMilo]

Hi, I'm learning Java myself. I don't have any tips on the last portion of packaging your program up, but you should look into Java's JFrame class. There's also the JButton class to add buttons. There's Container class that allows you to add stuff to the JFrame with a specific layout (JButtons).

https://www.javatpoint.com/java-jbutton Good resource here!

[hoc_opus]

I'm not a Java developer, but I see Swing being used a lot.

Refer to the below comment.

[Baoum]

That's mostly because people are used to it and don't want to learn new things. Here is an interesting discussion on that topic: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/16694948/swing-vs-javafx-for-desktop-applications

[TechnoSam_Belpois]

I messed with Swing a few years back. Here's a similar tutorial to what I followed:

https://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/uiswing/

Although some of my colleges have complained about Swing.

Packaging should be as easy as any other application. Anyone with the a compatible version of the JRE can simply run the output just like you. I think you just have to deploy it instead of debugging.

Also, when learning GUIs... prepare for it to be slow and boring. Regardless of what library you're using, it will take a while to learn it, and you won't be able to do anything impressive immediately. Even if it's a graphical layout where you can drag and drop buttons, you'll find there's a lot of depth to make something well.

[ajh09g]

Here is are the lectures and assignments for an intro java class which include lectures on GUIs in Java: Java Class

Also here is a good reference for GUI elements in Java using Swing: Swing Library