java.lang.Object
- com.jgoodies.forms.builder.AbstractFormBuilder

Direct Known Subclasses:

PanelBuilder
```
public abstract class AbstractFormBuilder
extends java.lang.Object
```
An abstract class that minimizes the effort required to implement non-visual builders that use the FormLayout.
Builders hide details of the FormLayout and provide convenience behavior that assists you in constructing a form. This class provides a cell cursor that helps you traverse a form while you add components. Also, it offers several methods to append custom and logical columns and rows.

Version:

$Revision$

Author:

Karsten Lentzsch

See Also:

ButtonBarBuilder, ButtonStackBuilder, PanelBuilder, I15dPanelBuilder, DefaultFormBuilder

Constructor Summary

Constructors
Constructor	Description
`AbstractFormBuilder(FormLayout layout, java.awt.Container container)`	Constructs an instance of `AbstractFormBuilder` for the given FormLayout and layout container.
`AbstractFormBuilder(java.awt.Container container, FormLayout layout)`	Deprecated. Replaced by `AbstractFormBuilder(FormLayout, Container)`.

Method Summary

All Methods Instance Methods Concrete Methods
Modifier and Type	Method	Description
`java.awt.Component`	`add(java.awt.Component component)`	Adds a component to the container using the default cell constraints.
`java.awt.Component`	`add(java.awt.Component component, CellConstraints cellConstraints)`	Adds a component to the panel using the given cell constraints.
`java.awt.Component`	`add(java.awt.Component component, java.lang.String encodedCellConstraints)`	Adds a component to the panel using the given encoded cell constraints.
`void`	`appendColumn(ColumnSpec columnSpec)`	Appends the given column specification to the builder's layout.
`void`	`appendColumn(java.lang.String encodedColumnSpec)`	Appends a column specification to the builder's layout that represents the given string encoding.
`void`	`appendGlueColumn()`	Appends a glue column.
`void`	`appendGlueRow()`	Appends a glue row.
`void`	`appendLabelComponentsGapColumn()`	Appends a column that is the default gap between a label and its associated component.
`void`	`appendParagraphGapRow()`	Appends a row that is the default gap for paragraphs.
`void`	`appendRelatedComponentsGapColumn()`	Appends a column that is the default gap for related components.
`void`	`appendRelatedComponentsGapRow()`	Appends a row that is the default gap for related components.
`void`	`appendRow(RowSpec rowSpec)`	Appends the given row specification to the builder's layout.
`void`	`appendRow(java.lang.String encodedRowSpec)`	Appends a row specification to the builder's layout that represents the given string encoding.
`void`	`appendUnrelatedComponentsGapColumn()`	Appends a column that is the default gap for unrelated components.
`void`	`appendUnrelatedComponentsGapRow()`	Appends a row that is the default gap for unrelated components.
`protected CellConstraints`	`cellConstraints()`	Returns the CellConstraints object that is used as a cursor and holds the current column span and row span.
`protected CellConstraints`	`createLeftAdjustedConstraints(int columnSpan)`	Creates and returns a `CellConstraints` object at the current cursor position that uses the given column span and is adjusted to the left.
`int`	`getColumn()`	Returns the cursor's column.
`int`	`getColumnCount()`	Returns the number of columns in the form.
`protected int`	`getColumnIncrementSign()`	Returns the sign (-1 or 1) used to increment the cursor's column when moving to the next column.
`java.awt.Container`	`getContainer()`	Returns the container used to build the form.
`FormLayout`	`getLayout()`	Returns the instance of `FormLayout` used to build this form.
`protected int`	`getLeadingColumn()`	Returns the index of the leading column.
`int`	`getRow()`	Returns the cursor's row.
`int`	`getRowCount()`	Returns the number of rows in the form.
`boolean`	`isLeftToRight()`	Returns whether this builder fills the form left-to-right or right-to-left.
`void`	`nextColumn()`	Moves to the next column, does the same as #nextColumn(1).
`void`	`nextColumn(int columns)`	Moves to the next column.
`void`	`nextLine()`	Moves to the next line: increases the row and resets the column; does the same as #nextLine(1).
`void`	`nextLine(int lines)`	Moves the cursor down several lines: increases the row by the specified number of lines and sets the cursor to the leading column.
`void`	`nextRow()`	Increases the row by one; does the same as #nextRow(1).
`void`	`nextRow(int rows)`	Increases the row by the specified rows.
`void`	`setAlignment(CellConstraints.Alignment hAlign, CellConstraints.Alignment vAlign)`	Sets the horizontal and vertical alignment.
`void`	`setBounds(int column, int row, int columnSpan, int rowSpan)`	Sets the cell bounds (location and extent) to the given column, row, column span and row span.
`void`	`setColumn(int column)`	Sets the cursor to the given column.
`void`	`setColumnSpan(int columnSpan)`	Sets the cursor's column span.
`void`	`setExtent(int columnSpan, int rowSpan)`	Sets the cursor's extent to the given column span and row span.
`void`	`setHAlignment(CellConstraints.Alignment alignment)`	Sets the horizontal alignment.
`void`	`setLeftToRight(boolean b)`	Sets the form fill direction to left-to-right or right-to-left.
`void`	`setOrigin(int column, int row)`	Sets the cursor's origin to the given column and row.
`void`	`setRow(int row)`	Sets the cursor to the given row.
`void`	`setRowSpan(int rowSpan)`	Sets the cursor's row span.
`void`	`setVAlignment(CellConstraints.Alignment alignment)`	Sets the vertical alignment.

Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object
clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait

- Constructor Detail
  - AbstractFormBuilder
```
public AbstractFormBuilder(FormLayout layout,
                           java.awt.Container container)
```
    Constructs an instance of AbstractFormBuilder for the given FormLayout and layout container.
    
    Parameters:
    
    layout - the FormLayout to use
    
    container - the layout container
    
    Throws:
    
    java.lang.NullPointerException - if the layout or container is null
  - AbstractFormBuilder
```
@Deprecated
public AbstractFormBuilder(java.awt.Container container,
                           FormLayout layout)
```
    Deprecated.
    Replaced by AbstractFormBuilder(FormLayout, Container).
    
    Constructs an instance of AbstractFormBuilder for the given container and form layout.
    
    Parameters:
    
    container - the layout container
    
    layout - the FormLayout to use
- Method Detail
  - getContainer
```
public final java.awt.Container getContainer()
```
    Returns the container used to build the form.
    
    Returns:
    
    the layout container
  - getLayout
```
public final FormLayout getLayout()
```
    Returns the instance of FormLayout used to build this form.
    
    Returns:
    
    the FormLayout
  - getColumnCount
```
public final int getColumnCount()
```
    Returns the number of columns in the form.
    
    Returns:
    
    the number of columns
  - getRowCount
```
public final int getRowCount()
```
    Returns the number of rows in the form.
    
    Returns:
    
    the number of rows
  - isLeftToRight
```
public final boolean isLeftToRight()
```
    Returns whether this builder fills the form left-to-right or right-to-left. The initial value of this property is set during the builder construction from the layout container's componentOrientation property.
    
    Returns:
    
    true indicates left-to-right, false indicates right-to-left
    
    See Also:
    
    setLeftToRight(boolean), ComponentOrientation
  - setLeftToRight
```
public final void setLeftToRight(boolean b)
```
    Sets the form fill direction to left-to-right or right-to-left. The initial value of this property is set during the builder construction from the layout container's componentOrientation property.
    
    Parameters:
    
    b - true indicates left-to-right, false right-to-left
    
    See Also:
    
    isLeftToRight(), ComponentOrientation
  - getColumn
```
public final int getColumn()
```
    Returns the cursor's column.
    
    Returns:
    
    the cursor's column
  - setColumn
```
public final void setColumn(int column)
```
    Sets the cursor to the given column.
    
    Parameters:
    
    column - the cursor's new column index
  - getRow
```
public final int getRow()
```
    Returns the cursor's row.
    
    Returns:
    
    the cursor's row
  - setRow
```
public final void setRow(int row)
```
    Sets the cursor to the given row.
    
    Parameters:
    
    row - the cursor's new row index
  - setColumnSpan
```
public final void setColumnSpan(int columnSpan)
```
    Sets the cursor's column span.
    
    Parameters:
    
    columnSpan - the cursor's new column span (grid width)
  - setRowSpan
```
public final void setRowSpan(int rowSpan)
```
    Sets the cursor's row span.
    
    Parameters:
    
    rowSpan - the cursor's new row span (grid height)
  - setOrigin
```
public final void setOrigin(int column,
                            int row)
```
    Sets the cursor's origin to the given column and row.
    
    Parameters:
    
    column - the new column index
    
    row - the new row index
  - setExtent
```
public final void setExtent(int columnSpan,
                            int rowSpan)
```
    Sets the cursor's extent to the given column span and row span.
    
    Parameters:
    
    columnSpan - the new column span (grid width)
    
    rowSpan - the new row span (grid height)
  - setBounds
```
public final void setBounds(int column,
                            int row,
                            int columnSpan,
                            int rowSpan)
```
    Sets the cell bounds (location and extent) to the given column, row, column span and row span.
    
    Parameters:
    
    column - the new column index (grid x)
    
    row - the new row index (grid y)
    
    columnSpan - the new column span (grid width)
    
    rowSpan - the new row span (grid height)
  - nextColumn
```
public final void nextColumn()
```
    Moves to the next column, does the same as #nextColumn(1).
  - nextColumn
```
public final void nextColumn(int columns)
```
    Moves to the next column.
    
    Parameters:
    
    columns - number of columns to move
  - nextRow
```
public final void nextRow()
```
    Increases the row by one; does the same as #nextRow(1).
  - nextRow
```
public final void nextRow(int rows)
```
    Increases the row by the specified rows.
    
    Parameters:
    
    rows - number of rows to move
  - nextLine
```
public final void nextLine()
```
    Moves to the next line: increases the row and resets the column; does the same as #nextLine(1).
  - nextLine
```
public final void nextLine(int lines)
```
    Moves the cursor down several lines: increases the row by the specified number of lines and sets the cursor to the leading column.
    
    Parameters:
    
    lines - number of rows to move
  - setHAlignment
```
public final void setHAlignment(CellConstraints.Alignment alignment)
```
    Sets the horizontal alignment.
    
    Parameters:
    
    alignment - the new horizontal alignment
  - setVAlignment
```
public final void setVAlignment(CellConstraints.Alignment alignment)
```
    Sets the vertical alignment.
    
    Parameters:
    
    alignment - the new vertical alignment
  - setAlignment
```
public final void setAlignment(CellConstraints.Alignment hAlign,
                               CellConstraints.Alignment vAlign)
```
    Sets the horizontal and vertical alignment.
    
    Parameters:
    
    hAlign - the new horizontal alignment
    
    vAlign - the new vertical alignment
  - appendColumn
```
public final void appendColumn(ColumnSpec columnSpec)
```
    Appends the given column specification to the builder's layout.
    
    Parameters:
    
    columnSpec - the column specification object to append
    
    See Also:
    
    appendColumn(String)
  - appendColumn
```
public final void appendColumn(java.lang.String encodedColumnSpec)
```
    Appends a column specification to the builder's layout that represents the given string encoding.
    
    Parameters:
    
    encodedColumnSpec - the column specification to append in encoded form
    
    See Also:
    
    appendColumn(ColumnSpec)
  - appendGlueColumn
```
public final void appendGlueColumn()
```
    Appends a glue column.
    
    See Also:
    
    appendLabelComponentsGapColumn(), appendRelatedComponentsGapColumn(), appendUnrelatedComponentsGapColumn()
  - appendLabelComponentsGapColumn
```
public final void appendLabelComponentsGapColumn()
```
    Appends a column that is the default gap between a label and its associated component.
    
    Since:
    
    1.0.3
    
    See Also:
    
    appendGlueColumn(), appendRelatedComponentsGapColumn(), appendUnrelatedComponentsGapColumn()
  - appendRelatedComponentsGapColumn
```
public final void appendRelatedComponentsGapColumn()
```
    Appends a column that is the default gap for related components.
    
    See Also:
    
    appendGlueColumn(), appendLabelComponentsGapColumn(), appendUnrelatedComponentsGapColumn()
  - appendUnrelatedComponentsGapColumn
```
public final void appendUnrelatedComponentsGapColumn()
```
    Appends a column that is the default gap for unrelated components.
    
    See Also:
    
    appendGlueColumn(), appendLabelComponentsGapColumn(), appendRelatedComponentsGapColumn()
  - appendRow
```
public final void appendRow(RowSpec rowSpec)
```
    Appends the given row specification to the builder's layout.
    
    Parameters:
    
    rowSpec - the row specification object to append
    
    See Also:
    
    appendRow(String)
  - appendRow
```
public final void appendRow(java.lang.String encodedRowSpec)
```
    Appends a row specification to the builder's layout that represents the given string encoding.
    
    Parameters:
    
    encodedRowSpec - the row specification to append in encoded form
    
    See Also:
    
    appendRow(RowSpec)
  - appendGlueRow
```
public final void appendGlueRow()
```
    Appends a glue row.
    
    See Also:
    
    appendRelatedComponentsGapRow(), appendUnrelatedComponentsGapRow(), appendParagraphGapRow()
  - appendRelatedComponentsGapRow
```
public final void appendRelatedComponentsGapRow()
```
    Appends a row that is the default gap for related components.
    
    See Also:
    
    appendGlueRow(), appendUnrelatedComponentsGapRow(), appendParagraphGapRow()
  - appendUnrelatedComponentsGapRow
```
public final void appendUnrelatedComponentsGapRow()
```
    Appends a row that is the default gap for unrelated components.
    
    See Also:
    
    appendGlueRow(), appendRelatedComponentsGapRow(), appendParagraphGapRow()
  - appendParagraphGapRow
```
public final void appendParagraphGapRow()
```
    Appends a row that is the default gap for paragraphs.
    
    Since:
    
    1.0.3
    
    See Also:
    
    appendGlueRow(), appendRelatedComponentsGapRow(), appendUnrelatedComponentsGapRow()
  - add
```
public final java.awt.Component add(java.awt.Component component,
                                    CellConstraints cellConstraints)
```
    Adds a component to the panel using the given cell constraints.
    
    Parameters:
    
    component - the component to add
    
    cellConstraints - the component's cell constraints
    
    Returns:
    
    the added component
  - add
```
public final java.awt.Component add(java.awt.Component component,
                                    java.lang.String encodedCellConstraints)
```
    Adds a component to the panel using the given encoded cell constraints.
    
    Parameters:
    
    component - the component to add
    
    encodedCellConstraints - the component's encoded cell constraints
    
    Returns:
    
    the added component
  - add
```
public final java.awt.Component add(java.awt.Component component)
```
    Adds a component to the container using the default cell constraints. Note that when building from left to right, this method won't adjust the cell constraints if the column span is larger than 1. In this case you should use add(Component, CellConstraints) with a cell constraints object created by createLeftAdjustedConstraints(int).
    
    Parameters:
    
    component - the component to add
    
    Returns:
    
    the added component
    
    See Also:
    
    add(Component, CellConstraints), createLeftAdjustedConstraints(int)
  - cellConstraints
```
protected final CellConstraints cellConstraints()
```
    Returns the CellConstraints object that is used as a cursor and holds the current column span and row span.
    
    Returns:
    
    the builder's current CellConstraints object
  - getLeadingColumn
```
protected int getLeadingColumn()
```
    Returns the index of the leading column.
    Subclasses may override this method, for example, if the form has a leading gap column that should not be filled with components.
    
    Returns:
    
    the leading column
  - getColumnIncrementSign
```
protected final int getColumnIncrementSign()
```
    Returns the sign (-1 or 1) used to increment the cursor's column when moving to the next column.
    
    Returns:
    
    -1 for right-to-left, 1 for left-to-right
  - createLeftAdjustedConstraints
```
protected final CellConstraints createLeftAdjustedConstraints(int columnSpan)
```
    Creates and returns a CellConstraints object at the current cursor position that uses the given column span and is adjusted to the left. Useful when building from right to left.
    
    Parameters:
    
    columnSpan - the column span to be used in the constraints
    
    Returns:
    
    CellConstraints adjusted to the left hand side

Class AbstractFormBuilder

Constructor Summary

Method Summary

Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

Constructor Detail

AbstractFormBuilder

AbstractFormBuilder

Method Detail

getContainer

getLayout

getColumnCount

getRowCount

isLeftToRight

setLeftToRight

getColumn

setColumn

getRow

setRow

setColumnSpan

setRowSpan

setOrigin

setExtent

setBounds

nextColumn

nextColumn

nextRow

nextRow

nextLine

nextLine

setHAlignment

setVAlignment

setAlignment

appendColumn

appendColumn

appendGlueColumn

appendLabelComponentsGapColumn

appendRelatedComponentsGapColumn

appendUnrelatedComponentsGapColumn

appendRow

appendRow

appendGlueRow

appendRelatedComponentsGapRow

appendUnrelatedComponentsGapRow

appendParagraphGapRow

add

add

add

cellConstraints

getLeadingColumn

getColumnIncrementSign

createLeftAdjustedConstraints