Java AWT or Abstract Window Toolkit is an API used for developing GUI(Graphic

User Interfaces) or Window-Based Applications in Java. Java AWT is part of the Java
Foundation Classes (JFC) that provides a way to build platform-independent graphical
applications.
In this AWT tutorial, you will learn the basics of the AWT, including how to create
windows, buttons, labels, and text fields. We will also learn how to add event listeners to
components so that they can respond to user input.
Java AWT Basics
Java AWT (Abstract Window Toolkit) is an API used to create Graphical User
Interface (GUI) or Windows-based Java programs and Java AWT components are
platform-dependent, which means they are shown in accordance with the operating
system’s view. AWT is heavyweight, which means that its components consume resources
from the underlying operating system (OS). The java.awt package contains AWT API
classes such as TextField, Label, TextArea, RadioButton, CheckBox, Choice, List, and so
on.
Why AWT is Platform Independent?
The Java AWT utilizes the native platform subroutine to create API components
such as TextField, CheckBox, and buttons. This results in a different visual format for these
components on different platforms such as Windows, MAC OS, and Unix. The reason for
this is that each platform has a distinct view of its native components. AWT directly calls
this native subroutine to create the components, resulting in an AWT application
resembling a Windows application on Windows OS, and a Mac application on the MAC
OS. In simpler terms, the AWT application’s appearance adapts to the platform it is running
on.
Understanding how to use BeanFactory is vital for optimizing your application’s
performance. To delve deeper into Java programming, the Java Backend course offers a
comprehensive look at various Java concepts and their applications.
AWT is platform independent even after the AWT components are platform
dependent because of the points mentioned below:
1. JVM (Java Virtual Machine):
As Java Virtual Machine is platform dependent
2. Abstract APIs:
 AWT provides an abstract layer for GUI. Java applications interact with AWT
through Abstract API which are platform independent. Abstract API allows Java to isolate
platform-specific details, making code portable across different systems.
3. Platform-Independent Libraries:
The Libraries of AWT are written in Java which they are totally platform-
independent. Because of this, it ensures that AWT functionality remains consistent across
different environments.
Java AWT Hierarchy

 Components: AWT provides various components such as buttons, labels, text fields,
checkboxes, etc used for creating GUI elements for Java Applications.
 Containers: AWT provides containers like panels, frames, and dialogues to organize
and group components in the Application.
 Layout Managers: Layout Managers are responsible for arranging data in the
containers some of the layout managers are BorderLayout, FlowLayout, etc.
 Event Handling: AWT allows the user to handle the events like mouse clicks, key
presses, etc. using event listeners and adapters.
 Graphics and Drawing: It is the feature of AWT that helps to draw shapes, insert
images and write text in the components of a Java Application.
Types of Containers in Java AWT
There are four types of containers in Java AWT:
1. Window: Window is a top-level container that represents a graphical window or dialog
box. The Window class extends the Container class, which means it can contain other
components, such as buttons, labels, and text fields.
2. Panel: Panel is a container class in Java. It is a lightweight container that can be used
for grouping other components together within a window or a frame.
3. Frame: The Frame is the container that contains the title bar and border and can have
menu bars.
4. Dialog: A dialog box is a temporary window an application creates to retrieve user
input.
1. Java AWT Label
Syntax of AWT Label
public class Label extends Component implements Accessible
AWT Label Class Constructors
There are three types of Java AWT Label Class
1. Label():
Creates Empty Label.
2. Label(String str):
Constructs a Label with str as its name.
3. Label(String str, int x):
Constructs a label with the specified string and x as the specified alignment

2. Java AWT Button

AWT Button is a control component with a label that generates an event when clicked on.
Button Class is used for creating a labeled button that is platform-independent.
Syntax of AWT Button
public class Button extends Component implements Accessible
Java AWT Button Class Constructors
There are two types of Button class constructors as mentioned below:
1. Button( ):
Creates a Button with no label i.e. showing an empty box as a button.
2. Button(String str):
Creates a Button with String str as a label. For example if str=”Click Here” button with
show click here as the value.

3. Java AWT TextField

Syntax of AWT TextField:
public class TextField extends TextComponent
TextField Class constructors
There are TextField class constructors are mentioned below:
1. TextField():
Constructs a TextField component.
2. TextField(String text):
Constructs a new text field initialized with the given string str to be displayed.
3. TextField(int col):
Creates a new text field(empty) with the given number of columns (col).
4. TextField(String str, int columns):
Creates a new text field(with String str in the display) with the given number of columns
(col).

4. Java AWT Checkbox

Syntax of AWT Checkbox:
public class Checkbox extends Component implements ItemSelectable, Accessible
Checkbox Class Constructors
There are certain constructors in the AWT Checkbox class as mentioned below:
1. Checkbox():
Creates a checkbox with no label.
2. Checkbox(String str):
Creates a checkbox with a str label.
3. Checkbox(String str, boolean state, CheckboxGroup group):
Creates a checkbox with the str label, and sets the state in the mentioned group.

5. Java AWT CheckboxGroup

CheckboxGroup Class is used to group together a set of Checkbox.
Syntax of AWT CheckboxGroup:
public class CheckboxGroup extends Object implements Serializable
6. Java AWT Choice
The object of the Choice class is used to show a popup menu of choices.
Syntax of AWT Choice:
public class Choice extends Component implements ItemSelectable, Accessible
AWT Choice Class constructor
Choice(): It creates a new choice menu.

7. Java AWT List

The object of the AWT List class represents a list of text items.
Syntax of Java AWT List:
public class List extends Component implements ItemSelectable, Accessible
AWT List Class Constructors
The List of class constructors is defined below:
1. List():
Creates a new list.
2. List(int row):
Creates lists for a given number of rows(row).
3. List(int row, Boolean Mode)
Ceates new list initialized that displays the given number of rows.

8. Java AWT Canvas

Syntax of AWT Canvas:
public class Canvas extends Component implements Accessible
Canvas Class Constructors
1. Canvas():
Creates new Canvas.
2. Canvas(GraphicConfiguration config):
It creates a new Canvas with the given Graphic configuration.

9. AWT Scrollbar
Syntax of AWT Scrollbar:
public class Scrollbar extends Component implements Adjustable, Accessible
Java AWT Scrollbar Class Constructors
There are three constructor classes in Java mentioned below:
1. Scrollbar():
It Creates a new vertical Scrollbar in the Application.
2. Scrollbar(int orientation):
Creates a new vertical Scrollbar with the given orientation.
3. Scrollbar(int orientation, int value, int visible, int mini, int maxi):
Creates a new scrollbar with the orientation mentioned with value as the default value
and [mini, maxi] as the lower and higher limit.

10. Java AWT MenuItem & Menu

MenuItem class adds a simple labeled menu item on the menu. The MenuItem class allows
you to create individual items that can be added to menus. And Menu is a component used
to create a dropdown menu that can contain a list of MenuItem components.
Syntax of Java AWT MenuItem
public class MenuItem extends MenuComponent implements Accessible
Syntax of Java AWT Menu
public class Menu extends MenuItem implements MenuContainer, Accessible
Java AWT PopupMenu is a component that is used for dynamically popping up a menu that
appears when the user right-clicks or performs any other action on a component.
Syntax of AWT PopupMenu
public class PopupMenu extends Menu implements MenuContainer, Accessible
12. Java AWT Panel
Java AWT Panel is a container class used to hold and organize graphical components in a
Java Application.
Syntax of Java AWT Panel:
public class Panel extends Container implements Accessible
13. Java AWT Toolkit
Java AWT Toolkit class provides us with a platform-independent way to access various
system resources and functionalities. Subclasses of Toolkit are used to bind various
components.
Syntax of Java AWT Toolkit
public abstract class Toolkit extends Object
Event Handling Components – Java AWT
Here are some of the event handling components in Java:
 Java ActionListener
 Java MouseListener
 Java MouseMotionListener
 Java ItemListener
 Java KeyListener
 Java WindowListener
 Close AWT Window
1. Java ActionListener
Java ActionListner is a interface which responds to the actions performed by the
components like buttons, menu items ,etc.
Syntax of Java ActionListener:
public class ActionListenerExample Implements ActionListener
There is only methods associated with ActionListner class that is actionPerformed().
Syntax of actionPerformed() method:
public abstract void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e);
2. Java MouseListener
Java MouseListner is a interface that responds to the actions performed by mouse events
generated by the user. Example: mouse clicks , mouse movements, etc.
There are 5 Methods associated with MouseListner:
1. mouseClicked(MouseEvent e):
Responds to mouse buttons when clicked on a component in the Application.
2. mousePressed(MouseEvent e):
Responds to mouse button is Pressed on a component in the Application.
3. mouseReleased(MouseEvent e):
Responds to Mouse button released after being pressed over a component in the
Application.
4. mouseEntered(MouseEvent e):
Responds to the situation when a Mouse cursor enters the bounds of a component in an
Application.
5. mouseExited(MouseEvent e):
Responds to the situation when a Mouse cursor exits a component’s bounds.

3. Java MouseMotionListener
Java MouseMotionListner is a interface which is notified when mouse is moved or dragged.
It contains two Methods mentioned below:
1. mouseDragged(MouseEvent e):
Responds when the mouse is dragged with mouse button clicked over a component in
Application.
2. mouseMoved(MouseEvent e):
Responds when the mouse is moved over a component in Application.

4. Java ItemListener
Java ItemListner is an interface which handles events related to item selection and
deselection those that occur with checkboxes, radio buttons, etc. There is only one Method
associated with ItemListner that is itemStateChanged(). This method provides information
about the event, i.e. source of the event and the changed state.
Syntax of itemStateChanged() method:
itemStateChanged(ItemEvent e)
5. Java KeyListener
Java KeyListner is an interface in Java notified whenever you change the state of key or can
be said for key related events.
Syntax of KeyListener:
public interface KeyListener extends EventListener
There are three methods associated with KeyListner as mentioned below:
1. keyPressed (KeyEvent e):
Responds to the event when key is pressed.
2. keyReleased (KeyEvent e):
Responds to the event when the key is released.
3. keyTyped (KeyEvent e):
Responds to the key has been typed.

6. Java WindowListener
Java WindowListener is a interface used for handling events related to window actions.
Events like opening , closing, minimizing, etc are handled using WindowListener.
Syntax of WindowListener
public interface WindowListener extends EventListener
There are seven methods associated with WindowListener as mentioned below:
1. windowActivated (WindowEvent e):
Responds when window is first opened
2. windowClosed (WindowEvent e):
Responds when the user attempts to close the window
3. windowClosing (WindowEvent e):
Responds after a window has been closed
4. windowDeactivated (WindowEvent e):
Responds when a window is minimized
5. windowDeiconified (WindowEvent e):
Responds when a window is restored from a minimized state
6. windowIconified (WindowEvent e):
Responds when a window is activated
7. windowOpened (WindowEvent e):
Responds when a window loses focus

7. Java Adapter classes

Java adapter classes provide the default implementation of listener interfaces.
8. Close AWT Window
At the end we will need to Close AWT Window, So to perform this task we will use
dispose() method. This method releases the resources associated with the window and also
removes it from the screen.
1. Hello World in Java AWT
Hello, World is was the first step in learning Java. So, let us program our first Program in
Java AWT as Hello World using Labels and Frames.
Below is the implementation of the above method:
// Java AWT Program for Hello World
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.WindowAdapter;
import java.awt.event.WindowEvent;
// Driver Class
public class AWT_Example {
// main function
public static void main(String[] args)
{
// Declaring a Frame and Label
Frame frame = new Frame("Basic Program");
 Label label = new Label("Hello World!");
// Aligning the label to CENTER
label.setAlignment(Label.CENTER);
// Adding Label and Setting
// the Size of the Frame
frame.add(label);
frame.setSize(300, 300);
// Making the Frame visible
frame.setVisible(true);
// Using WindowListener for closing the window
frame.addWindowListener(new WindowAdapter() {
@Override
public void windowClosing(WindowEvent e)
{
System.exit(0);
}
});
}
}

2. Java AWT Program to create Button

Below is the implementation of the Java AWT Program to create a Button:
// Java AWT Program for Button
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.WindowAdapter;
import java.awt.event.WindowEvent;
// Driver Class
public class Button_Example {
// main function
public static void main(String[] args)
{
// Creating instance of frame with the label
Frame frame = new Frame("Example 2");
 // Creating instance of button with label
Button button = new Button("Click Here");
// Setting the position for the button in frame
button.setBounds(80, 100, 64, 30);
// Adding button to the frame
frame.add(button);
// setting size, layout and visibility of frame
frame.setSize(300, 300);
frame.setLayout(null);
frame.setVisible(true);
// Using WindowListener for closing the window
frame.addWindowListener(new WindowAdapter() {
@Override
public void windowClosing(WindowEvent e)
{
System.exit(0);
}
});
}
}
USER INTERFACE COMPONENTS IN AWT
All AWT components are derived from the class java.awt.Component.
1. Label
 Class: java.awt.Label
 Use: Displays static text.
 Key Methods:
o setText(String) – Change label text
o getText() – Get current text
Label label = new Label("Enter your name:");
2. Button
 Class: java.awt.Button
 Use: Creates a clickable button.
 Key Methods:
o setLabel(String) – Set button text
o addActionListener(ActionListener) – Handle button click
Button button = new Button("Submit");
3. Text Components
 Superclass: java.awt.TextComponent
(abstract class for editable text components)
a. TextField
 Single-line text input.
TextField tf = new TextField(20); // 20 columns wide
b. TextArea
 Multi-line text input.
TextArea ta = new TextArea(5, 30); // 5 rows, 30 columns
4. CheckBox
 Class: java.awt.Checkbox
 Use: Enables multiple selections.
Checkbox cb = new Checkbox("I agree");
5. CheckBoxGroup
 Used to create radio button behavior with Checkboxes.
CheckboxGroup genderGroup = new CheckboxGroup();
Checkbox male = new Checkbox("Male", genderGroup, true);
Checkbox female = new Checkbox("Female", genderGroup, false);
6. Choice (Drop-down Menu)
 Class: java.awt.Choice
 Use: Displays a compact dropdown list.
Choice lang = new Choice();
lang.add("Java");
lang.add("Python");
7. List Box
 Class: java.awt.List
 Use: Displays a scrollable list.
List list = new List(4, true); // 4 visible items, multi-select
list.add("C++");
list.add("Java");
list.add("Python");
8. Panel
 Class: java.awt.Panel
 A container that groups UI components.
 Often used to organize layouts.
Panel panel = new Panel();
panel.add(new Label("Username:"));
panel.add(new TextField(20));
9. ScrollPane
 A container that adds scrollbars automatically when content overflows.
TextArea ta = new TextArea(10, 40);
ScrollPane sp = new ScrollPane();
sp.add(ta);
10. Menu Components
Used with Frame to create menu bars.
a. MenuBar
MenuBar mb = new MenuBar();
b. Menu
Menu file = new Menu("File");
c. MenuItem
MenuItem open = new MenuItem("Open");
file.add(open);
mb.add(file);
frame.setMenuBar(mb);
11. ScrollBar
 Separate horizontal or vertical scrollbar.
Scrollbar sb = new Scrollbar(Scrollbar.VERTICAL);
WORKING WITH FRAME CLASS
Frame
 The top-level window (with title bar and borders).
Frame frame = new Frame("AWT Example");
frame.setSize(400, 300);
frame.setVisible(true);
COLOR
AWT provides predefined colors via java.awt.Color.
Set background or text color:
frame.setBackground(Color.LIGHT_GRAY);
label.setForeground(Color.BLUE);
Custom color:
Color customColor = new Color(120, 180, 200); // RGB
panel.setBackground(customColor);
FONTS
Set font for any component:
Font font = new Font("Arial", Font.BOLD, 16);
label.setFont(font);
Parameters:
 Font name (e.g., "Serif", "Arial")
 Style: Font.PLAIN, Font.BOLD, Font.ITALIC
 Size: Any integer
LAYOUT MANAGERS
Control the positioning and resizing of components in a container.
1. FlowLayout
 Default for Panel.
 Components arranged in a row.
frame.setLayout(new FlowLayout());
2. BorderLayout
  Default for Frame.
 Divides space into NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST, CENTER.
frame.setLayout(new BorderLayout());
frame.add(new Button("North"), BorderLayout.NORTH);
3. GridLayout
 Arranges components in a grid (rows × columns).
frame.setLayout(new GridLayout(2, 2)); // 2 rows, 2 cols
4. CardLayout
 Stack of components, one visible at a time.
5. GridBagLayout
 Most flexible; allows fine control over positioning using GridBagConstraints.
Complete AWT Example
import java.awt.*;
public class AWTExample {
public static void main(String[] args) {
Frame frame = new Frame("AWT Demo");
frame.setLayout(new FlowLayout());
Label label = new Label("Name:");
TextField tf = new TextField(20);
Button btn = new Button("Submit");
Checkbox cb = new Checkbox("Subscribe to newsletter");
Choice choice = new Choice();
choice.add("Java");
choice.add("Python");
List list = new List(3, true);
list.add("C++");
list.add("Go");
list.add("Rust");
frame.add(label);
frame.add(tf);
frame.add(btn);
frame.add(cb);
frame.add(choice);
frame.add(list);
 frame.setSize(400, 300);
frame.setVisible(true);
}
}