Using BoxLayout in JFrame

Question

I am trying to use JFrame and BoxLayout to achieve a GUI similar to the one shown, but I am not sure how to center my Stop and Play buttons. Any suggestions?

Here is my code:

JFrame frame = new JFrame();

    Box box = Box.createHorizontalBox();
    box = Box.createHorizontalBox();
    box.add(new JButton("Play"));
    box.add(new JButton("Stop"));
    box.add(Box.createHorizontalGlue());
    frame.add(box, BorderLayout.SOUTH);

    frame.setSize(500, 300);
    frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);

    frame.setVisible(true); 

I have not yet coded in the text box and load button as I haven't yet been able to figure out centering.

Answer 1

Create a seperate panel for buttons. With horizontal glue you can center your buttons.

JPanel buttonPanel = new JPanel();
buttonPanel.setLayout(new BoxLayout(buttonPanel, BoxLayout.X_AXIS));

buttonPanel.add(Box.createHorizontalGlue());

buttonPanel.add(new JButton("Play"));
buttonPanel.add(new JButton("Stop"));

buttonPanel.add(Box.createHorizontalGlue());

frame.add(buttonPanel, BorderLayout.SOUTH);

Also you can do that with FlowLayout easily

JPanel buttonPanel = new JPanel(new FlowLayout(FlowLayout.CENTER, 0, 0));

buttonPanel.add(new JButton("Play"));
buttonPanel.add(new JButton("Stop"));

frame.add(buttonPanel, BorderLayout.SOUTH);