Layout Managers
finish this bit in non-beta
Design Considerations
I have had countless emails regarding how Lava doesn't lay things out the way
they were designed. Generally this is a failure of the GridBagLayout system
used to generate the code rather than Lava. There are however ways of making
sure the dreaded GridBagLayout does what it is told :
- Learn how the GridBag works and how to use the weight/fill etc attributes
to improve how components are placed. Loads of people think that Lava
is a magical, all knowing design tool. It isn't, it's just an edit tool
for speeding up the design of GridBag code. You need to know how to use
it to make the most of it.
- Exercise good GUI design. This may sound obvious but if you have got 1000
buttons on a screen it is going to look crap even if it IS laid out in
a correct manner.
- When using large amounts of components on a form, use sub panels as much
as possible to make things easier for everyone.
- If you are using sub panels more than about 3 deep, consider making them
into new classes with their own event handling etc rather than one huge
GUI system in one class.
This software is provided by the author "As is" and any express or implied warranties, including,
but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose
are disclaimed. In no event shall the author or contributors be liable for any direct, indirect,
incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, procurement
of substitute goods or services; loss of use, data, or profits; or business interruption) however
caused and on any theory of liability, whether in contract, strict liability, or tort (including
negligence or otherwise) arising in any way out of the use of this software, even if advised of
the possibility of such damage.