JLabel in GridLayout

Question

How to add JLabel out of the GridLayout? I have an 8x8 grid layout.

Container content = getContentPane();
content.setLayout(new GridLayout(8, 8,2,2));
for (int f = 0; f < btnArr.length; f++){
    for (int s = 0; s < btnArr.length; s++){
        btnArr[f][s] = new JButton();
        btnArr[f][s].addActionListener(this);
        content.add(btnArr[f][s]);
        btnArr[f][s].setBackground(randomColor());
    }
}

Yes I want the 8x8 grid of buttons as well as another label added outside the buttons.. — Gorakh_sth, Jan 26 '13 at 13:44
The trick to this then, would be to put (a panel with) the buttons into a larger layout/panel. This is known as a [nested layout](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5621338/how-to-add-jtable-in-jpanel/5630271#5630271). Have a look over the code for that answer and have a go at it yourself. — Andrew Thompson, Jan 26 '13 at 13:48
I was try it but I can't solve it .... I have to solve this problem as soon please help me. — Gorakh_sth, Jan 26 '13 at 14:11
@AndrewThompson can't we just manually set `JLabel` it with the help of `setLocation()`? — joey rohan, Jan 26 '13 at 14:26
@joeyrohan `setLocation()` will typically be ignored by a layout manager. So ..no. But wait, let me reconsi.. **no.** — Andrew Thompson, Jan 30 '13 at 14:33
@AndrewThompson yeah right, till the set Layout is != `.setLayout(null)` — joey rohan, Jan 30 '13 at 15:01
@joeyrohan re. `null` layout. Abandon all hope, ye' you enter there! Sizing and positioning components across different OS', PLAFs, screen resolutions, (...) for a resizable GUI is such complex logic, that you should encapsulate it in a custom layout manager. See [setLayout(null) is never necessary. Ever!](https://forums.oracle.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=1351374) for more details on my take on the matter. — Andrew Thompson, Jan 30 '13 at 16:17
@AndrewThompson Woha! Thanks alot! It really opened my eyes! :) — joey rohan, Jan 30 '13 at 17:27

score 9 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 12:25

SimpleNestedLayout

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

class SimpleNestedLayout {

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Runnable r = new Runnable() {

            @Override
            public void run() {
                JPanel gui = new JPanel(new BorderLayout(5,5));

                int sz = 4;
                Container content = new JPanel(new GridLayout(sz, 0, 2, 2));
                for (int f=0; f<sz*sz; f++) {
                    content.add(new JButton());
                }
                gui.add(content, BorderLayout.CENTER);

                Container info = new JPanel(
                        new FlowLayout(FlowLayout.CENTER, 50, 5));
                info.add(new JLabel("Flow"));
                info.add(new JLabel("Layout"));
                gui.add(info, BorderLayout.PAGE_START);

                gui.add(new JLabel("Label"), BorderLayout.LINE_END);

                JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null, gui);
            }
        };
        SwingUtilities.invokeLater(r);
    }
}

Notes

For an 8x8 grid, change sz to 8.
If the 'label' mentioned is like the label seen in the GUI, it might go in the outer BorderLayout where Flow Layout (itself a panel) or Label appear as well as either of two other vacant positions in the outermost gui panel.
Both info (FlowLayout) & content (GridLayout) panels can also accept more components as needed.
Simple examples of other nested layouts.
1. PlayerGui (31 LOC)
2. WestPanel (30 LOC) not a great example as it extends JPanel instead of simply keeping an instance, but short.
3. AmortizationLayout (53 LOC) especially nice as an example as it outlines the parent & child layouts using a titled border.

JLabel in GridLayout

1 Answers1

Notes

Linked