User interfaces

Java tip: How to add zebra background stripes to a JList

Dave_Nadeau — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:01:51 -0800

Zebra stripes are subtle alternating stripes painted behind list items in a graphical user interface (GUI). They improve the readability of wide and long lists, but the JList class in Java's Swing doesn't support them. This tip shows how to extend JList to add zebra background stripes.

Java tip: How to add zebra background stripes to a JTable

Dave_Nadeau — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:05:47 -0800

Table zebra stripes are alternating subtle background stripes painted behind the table's rows in a graphical user interface (GUI). They improve the readability of long rows in wide tables, but the JTable class in Java's Swing doesn't support them. This tip shows how to extend JTable to add zebra background stripes.

Java tip: How to add zebra background stripes to a JTree

Dave_Nadeau — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:09:01 -0800

Zebra stripes in a graphical user interface (GUI) are subtle background stripes painted behind the rows of a hierarchical list, or tree. They improve the readability of wide tree rows, but the JTree class in Java's Swing doesn't support them. This tip shows how to extend JTree to add zebra background stripes.

Java tip: Use gradient backgrounds to add interest and polish to a user interface

Dave_Nadeau — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:25:56 -0700

Java's Swing components have a constant background color used to fill the entire component area. To add interest, contrast, and polish to a user interface, override the component's background painting and add a gradient to smoothly vary the color across the background. This tip shows how and demonstrates the effect.