Path for image loading

Question

I want to add an image to a frame but I am not able to understand where I should keep the image file and how should I give the path of the image?

I have placed an image in My Document folder and given that path but it gave an error message.

I have the following code.

import java.awt.*; 
import java.awt.image.BufferedImage; 
import java.io.*; 
import javax.imageio.ImageIO; 
import javax.swing.*;   

public class Test extends JPanel {
    BufferedImage image;

    public Test(BufferedImage image) {
        this.image = image;
    }

    protected void paintComponent(Graphics g) {
        super.paintComponent(g);
        // Draw image centered.
        int x = (getWidth() - image.getWidth())/2;
        int y = (getHeight() - image.getHeight())/2;
        g.drawImage(image, x, y, this);
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) throws IOException {
        String path = "images.jpeg";
        BufferedImage image = ImageIO.read(new File(path));
        Test contentPane = new Test(image);
        // You'll want to be sure this component is opaque
        // since it is required for contentPanes. Some
        // LAFs may use non-opaque components.
        contentPane.setOpaque(true);
        contentPane.setLayout(new GridBagLayout());
        GridBagConstraints gbc = new GridBagConstraints();
        gbc.insets = new Insets(5,5,5,5);
        gbc.weightx = 1.0;
        gbc.weighty = 1.0;
        // Add components.
        for(int j = 0; j < 8; j++) {
            gbc.gridwidth = ((j+1)%2 == 0) ? GridBagConstraints.REMAINDER
                                           : GridBagConstraints.RELATIVE;
            contentPane.add(new JButton("button " + (j+1)), gbc);
        }
        JFrame f = new JFrame();
        f.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
        f.setContentPane(contentPane);
        f.setSize(400,400);
        f.setLocation(200,200);
        f.setVisible(true);
    } }

Answer 1

where should I keep the image file ..

Since it seems like an 'application resource', I'd say put it on the run-time class-path of the app. That would usually be achieved by adding it (to a directory e.g. images) in a Jar.

..and how should I give the path of the image?

Access it via an URL obtained from:

URL urlToImage = this.getClass().getResource("/images/the.png");

ImageIO.read() can also accept URL or even more versatile, InputStream.