Chapter 6. Layouts

 

We’ve used layouts throughout the course of this book. Now that you have a firm grasp of widgets and controls, we’ll delve into the complexities of how to use layouts to arrange widgets into a pleasant interface.

Layouts are associated with a composite and help organize the controls within it. One way to think about the process is to imagine each widget as a book and the layout as shelving. You can stack books up on the shelf or lay them side by side in a horizontal row. Layouts can consist of partitions to separate the books or new layers to hold them more efficiently. Unlike real-world shelving, SWT layouts are dynamic: the container and its contents can be resized, reflowed, and laid out according to rules you specify. These rules are known as constraints in SWT.

Building a wooden bookshelf can be a lot of work, taking days or weeks. Although creating a UI can also be time consuming, the many options available in SWT’s layouts can make the job much easier. You may not ever make a nice oak bookshelf, but this chapter will show you how to exercise your imagination in creating virtual cabinets.

6.1. The fill layout

 
 

6.2. The row layout

 
 
 
 

6.3. The grid layout

 
 
 

6.4. The form layout

 

6.5. Custom layouts

 
 

6.6. Summary

 
 
 
 
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