Class 11: Java's Abstract Windowing Toolkit

Held Wednesday, February 10

Summary

• Java's abstract windowing toolkit (AWT)
• Event-driven programming
• Lab: G2: Java's Abstract Windowing Toolkit.

Contents

Notes

• Today's lab only covers buttons and output in the AWT. I'm working on another lab that covers input, which I think we'll try to do on Friday.
  • Friday's lab is not yet ready. Look for it online tomorrow evening, or pick it up outside my door after 4pm tomorrow.
• Are there questions on assignment 3?
• Given a choice between writing a set of notes and writing a more comprehensive narrative for the lab, I chose the latter.
• On Friday, I'll distribute a questionnaire about the lab manual. I'd appreciate it if you'd fill it out.

Narrative

Many of you indicated that you preferred that I read nicely written lecture notes than that I employ my normal hyper-kinetic ``whatever comes to mind'' style. Hence, today I will simply read aloud, rather than lecture, discuss, and lead recitation.

Our topic for today is Java's Abstract Windowing Toolkit, also known as the ``AWT''. Using the AWT, you can build interesting and useful graphical applications with all the conveniences of modern GUI (``graphical user interface'', often pronounced ``gooey'') applications, including buttons, menus, windows.

Yes, my attempt to use this teaching style is intended as a joke. Do the lab. Pick whichever sections seem most interesting. We'll break about fifteen minutes before the end of class to discuss what we've learned (or to decide to do fifteen more minutes of work). Everything you need to know about the AWT is in the lab.

Lab

Do whichever problems seem most interesting. (Hopefully, you will have read the lab in advance.)

Reflection

• Which section(s) did you choose to do?
• What else would you like to know about the AWT?
• What questions did you have?

History

• Created Monday, January 11, 1999.
• Added short summary on Friday, January 22, 1999.
• Filled in the ``sorry, no outline'' note and lab assignment on Sunday, February 7, 1999.
• Filled in some other details on Wednesday, February 10, 1999 (and moved from the wrong outline to this outline).