Java Desktop Application Development (JAD)

After completing Core and Advanced Java, this subject introduced me to building desktop applications with graphical user interfaces (GUIs). It gave me practical knowledge on how to combine Java logic with user-friendly windows, forms, and database integration.

Topics I studied

• Swing and AWT components (buttons, text fields, menus, tables)
• Layout managers (BorderLayout, FlowLayout, GridLayout)
• Event handling and listeners
• Dialog boxes and forms
• Working with images and custom rendering
• JDBC (Java Database Connectivity) for database integration
• MVC pattern in desktop applications

My experience

At first, understanding layout managers and how they affect component placement was challenging. But once I practiced with real examples, it became clearer. The most valuable part was connecting applications to a MySQL database using JDBC — this made the apps truly interactive and practical.

Code Example (Simple Swing App)

import javax.swing.*;

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        JFrame frame = new JFrame("Hello Desktop App");
        JButton button = new JButton("Click me!");

        button.addActionListener(e -> JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(frame, "Hello, Gordan!"));

        frame.add(button);
        frame.setSize(300, 200);
        frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
        frame.setVisible(true);
    }
}