1 /*
2 * Copyright 1997-2006 Sun Microsystems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
3 * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
4 *
5 * This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
6 * under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 2 only, as
7 * published by the Free Software Foundation. Sun designates this
8 * particular file as subject to the "Classpath" exception as provided
9 * by Sun in the LICENSE file that accompanied this code.
10 *
11 * This code is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
12 * ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
13 * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License
14 * version 2 for more details (a copy is included in the LICENSE file that
15 * accompanied this code).
16 *
17 * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License version
18 * 2 along with this work; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
19 * Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
20 *
21 * Please contact Sun Microsystems, Inc., 4150 Network Circle, Santa Clara,
22 * CA 95054 USA or visit www.sun.com if you need additional information or
23 * have any questions.
24 */
25 package javax.swing;
26
27 import java.awt;
28 import java.awt.event;
29 import java.beans;
30
31 /**
32 * The <code>Action</code> interface provides a useful extension to the
33 * <code>ActionListener</code>
34 * interface in cases where the same functionality may be accessed by
35 * several controls.
36 * <p>
37 * In addition to the <code>actionPerformed</code> method defined by the
38 * <code>ActionListener</code> interface, this interface allows the
39 * application to define, in a single place:
40 * <ul>
41 * <li>One or more text strings that describe the function. These strings
42 * can be used, for example, to display the flyover text for a button
43 * or to set the text in a menu item.
44 * <li>One or more icons that depict the function. These icons can be used
45 * for the images in a menu control, or for composite entries in a more
46 * sophisticated user interface.
47 * <li>The enabled/disabled state of the functionality. Instead of having
48 * to separately disable the menu item and the toolbar button, the
49 * application can disable the function that implements this interface.
50 * All components which are registered as listeners for the state change
51 * then know to disable event generation for that item and to modify the
52 * display accordingly.
53 * </ul>
54 * <p>
55 * This interface can be added to an existing class or used to create an
56 * adapter (typically, by subclassing <code>AbstractAction</code>).
57 * The <code>Action</code> object
58 * can then be added to multiple <code>Action</code>-aware containers
59 * and connected to <code>Action</code>-capable
60 * components. The GUI controls can then be activated or
61 * deactivated all at once by invoking the <code>Action</code> object's
62 * <code>setEnabled</code> method.
63 * <p>
64 * Note that <code>Action</code> implementations tend to be more expensive
65 * in terms of storage than a typical <code>ActionListener</code>,
66 * which does not offer the benefits of centralized control of
67 * functionality and broadcast of property changes. For this reason,
68 * you should take care to only use <code>Action</code>s where their benefits
69 * are desired, and use simple <code>ActionListener</code>s elsewhere.
70 * <p>
71 *
72 * <h4><a name="buttonActions"></a>Swing Components Supporting <code>Action</code></h4>
73 * <p>
74 * Many of Swing's components have an <code>Action</code> property. When
75 * an <code>Action</code> is set on a component, the following things
76 * happen:
77 * <ul>
78 * <li>The <code>Action</code> is added as an <code>ActionListener</code> to
79 * the component.
80 * <li>The component configures some of its properties to match the
81 * <code>Action</code>.
82 * <li>The component installs a <code>PropertyChangeListener</code> on the
83 * <code>Action</code> so that the component can change its properties
84 * to reflect changes in the <code>Action</code>'s properties.
85 * </ul>
86 * <p>
87 * The following table describes the properties used by
88 * <code>Swing</code> components that support <code>Actions</code>.
89 * In the table, <em>button</em> refers to any
90 * <code>AbstractButton</code> subclass, which includes not only
91 * <code>JButton</code> but also classes such as
92 * <code>JMenuItem</code>. Unless otherwise stated, a
93 * <code>null</code> property value in an <code>Action</code> (or a
94 * <code>Action</code> that is <code>null</code>) results in the
95 * button's corresponding property being set to <code>null</code>.
96 * <p>
97 * <table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0"
98 * summary="Supported Action properties"
99 * valign="top" >
100 * <tr valign="top" align="left">
101 * <th bgcolor="#CCCCFF" align="left">Component Property
102 * <th bgcolor="#CCCCFF" align="left">Components
103 * <th bgcolor="#CCCCFF" align="left">Action Key
104 * <th bgcolor="#CCCCFF" align="left">Notes
105 * <tr valign="top" align="left">
106 * <td><b><code>enabled</code></b>
107 * <td>All
108 * <td>The <code>isEnabled</code> method
109 * <td>
110 * <tr valign="top" align="left">
111 * <td><b><code>toolTipText</code></b>
112 * <td>All
113 * <td><code>SHORT_DESCRIPTION</code>
114 * <td>
115 * <tr valign="top" align="left">
116 * <td><b><code>actionCommand</code></b>
117 * <td>All
118 * <td><code>ACTION_COMMAND_KEY</code>
119 * <td>
120 * <tr valign="top" align="left">
121 * <td><b><code>mnemonic</code></b>
122 * <td>All buttons
123 * <td><code>MNEMONIC_KEY</code>
124 * <td>A <code>null</code> value or <code>Action</code> results in the
125 * button's <code>mnemonic</code> property being set to
126 * <code>'\0'</code>.
127 * <tr valign="top" align="left">
128 * <td><b><code>text</code></b>
129 * <td>All buttons
130 * <td><code>NAME</code>
131 * <td>If you do not want the text of the button to mirror that
132 * of the <code>Action</code>, set the property
133 * <code>hideActionText</code> to <code>true</code>. If
134 * <code>hideActionText</code> is <code>true</code>, setting the
135 * <code>Action</code> changes the text of the button to
136 * <code>null</code> and any changes to <code>NAME</code>
137 * are ignored. <code>hideActionText</code> is useful for
138 * tool bar buttons that typically only show an <code>Icon</code>.
139 * <code>JToolBar.add(Action)</code> sets the property to
140 * <code>true</code> if the <code>Action</code> has a
141 * non-<code>null</code> value for <code>LARGE_ICON_KEY</code> or
142 * <code>SMALL_ICON</code>.
143 * <tr valign="top" align="left">
144 * <td><b><code>displayedMnemonicIndex</code></b>
145 * <td>All buttons
146 * <td><code>DISPLAYED_MNEMONIC_INDEX_KEY</code>
147 * <td>If the value of <code>DISPLAYED_MNEMONIC_INDEX_KEY</code> is
148 * beyond the bounds of the text, it is ignored. When
149 * <code>setAction</code> is called, if the value from the
150 * <code>Action</code> is <code>null</code>, the displayed
151 * mnemonic index is not updated. In any subsequent changes to
152 * <code>DISPLAYED_MNEMONIC_INDEX_KEY</code>, <code>null</code>
153 * is treated as -1.
154 * <tr valign="top" align="left">
155 * <td><b><code>icon</code></b>
156 * <td>All buttons except of <code>JCheckBox</code>,
157 * <code>JToggleButton</code> and <code>JRadioButton</code>.
158 * <td>either <code>LARGE_ICON_KEY</code> or
159 * <code>SMALL_ICON</code>
160 * <td>The <code>JMenuItem</code> subclasses only use
161 * <code>SMALL_ICON</code>. All other buttons will use
162 * <code>LARGE_ICON_KEY</code>; if the value is <code>null</code> they
163 * use <code>SMALL_ICON</code>.
164 * <tr valign="top" align="left">
165 * <td><b><code>accelerator</code></b>
166 * <td>All <code>JMenuItem</code> subclasses, with the exception of
167 * <code>JMenu</code>.
168 * <td><code>ACCELERATOR_KEY</code>
169 * <td>
170 * <tr valign="top" align="left">
171 * <td><b><code>selected</code></b>
172 * <td><code>JToggleButton</code>, <code>JCheckBox</code>,
173 * <code>JRadioButton</code>, <code>JCheckBoxMenuItem</code> and
174 * <code>JRadioButtonMenuItem</code>
175 * <td><code>SELECTED_KEY</code>
176 * <td>Components that honor this property only use
177 * the value if it is {@code non-null}. For example, if
178 * you set an {@code Action} that has a {@code null}
179 * value for {@code SELECTED_KEY} on a {@code JToggleButton}, the
180 * {@code JToggleButton} will not update it's selected state in
181 * any way. Similarly, any time the {@code JToggleButton}'s
182 * selected state changes it will only set the value back on
183 * the {@code Action} if the {@code Action} has a {@code non-null}
184 * value for {@code SELECTED_KEY}.
185 * <br>
186 * Components that honor this property keep their selected state
187 * in sync with this property. When the same {@code Action} is used
188 * with multiple components, all the components keep their selected
189 * state in sync with this property. Mutually exclusive
190 * buttons, such as {@code JToggleButton}s in a {@code ButtonGroup},
191 * force only one of the buttons to be selected. As such, do not
192 * use the same {@code Action} that defines a value for the
193 * {@code SELECTED_KEY} property with multiple mutually
194 * exclusive buttons.
195 * </table>
196 * <p>
197 * <code>JPopupMenu</code>, <code>JToolBar</code> and <code>JMenu</code>
198 * all provide convenience methods for creating a component and setting the
199 * <code>Action</code> on the corresponding component. Refer to each of
200 * these classes for more information.
201 * <p>
202 * <code>Action</code> uses <code>PropertyChangeListener</code> to
203 * inform listeners the <code>Action</code> has changed. The beans
204 * specification indicates that a <code>null</code> property name can
205 * be used to indicate multiple values have changed. By default Swing
206 * components that take an <code>Action</code> do not handle such a
207 * change. To indicate that Swing should treat <code>null</code>
208 * according to the beans specification set the system property
209 * <code>swing.actions.reconfigureOnNull</code> to the <code>String</code>
210 * value <code>true</code>.
211 *
212 * @author Georges Saab
213 * @see AbstractAction
214 */
215 public interface Action extends ActionListener {
216 /**
217 * Useful constants that can be used as the storage-retrieval key
218 * when setting or getting one of this object's properties (text
219 * or icon).
220 */
221 /**
222 * Not currently used.
223 */
224 public static final String DEFAULT = "Default";
225 /**
226 * The key used for storing the <code>String</code> name
227 * for the action, used for a menu or button.
228 */
229 public static final String NAME = "Name";
230 /**
231 * The key used for storing a short <code>String</code>
232 * description for the action, used for tooltip text.
233 */
234 public static final String SHORT_DESCRIPTION = "ShortDescription";
235 /**
236 * The key used for storing a longer <code>String</code>
237 * description for the action, could be used for context-sensitive help.
238 */
239 public static final String LONG_DESCRIPTION = "LongDescription";
240 /**
241 * The key used for storing a small <code>Icon</code>, such
242 * as <code>ImageIcon</code>. This is typically used with
243 * menus such as <code>JMenuItem</code>.
244 * <p>
245 * If the same <code>Action</code> is used with menus and buttons you'll
246 * typically specify both a <code>SMALL_ICON</code> and a
247 * <code>LARGE_ICON_KEY</code>. The menu will use the
248 * <code>SMALL_ICON</code> and the button will use the
249 * <code>LARGE_ICON_KEY</code>.
250 */
251 public static final String SMALL_ICON = "SmallIcon";
252
253 /**
254 * The key used to determine the command <code>String</code> for the
255 * <code>ActionEvent</code> that will be created when an
256 * <code>Action</code> is going to be notified as the result of
257 * residing in a <code>Keymap</code> associated with a
258 * <code>JComponent</code>.
259 */
260 public static final String ACTION_COMMAND_KEY = "ActionCommandKey";
261
262 /**
263 * The key used for storing a <code>KeyStroke</code> to be used as the
264 * accelerator for the action.
265 *
266 * @since 1.3
267 */
268 public static final String ACCELERATOR_KEY="AcceleratorKey";
269
270 /**
271 * The key used for storing an <code>Integer</code> that corresponds to
272 * one of the <code>KeyEvent</code> key codes. The value is
273 * commonly used to specify a mnemonic. For example:
274 * <code>myAction.putValue(Action.MNEMONIC_KEY, KeyEvent.VK_A)</code>
275 * sets the mnemonic of <code>myAction</code> to 'a'.
276 *
277 * @since 1.3
278 */
279 public static final String MNEMONIC_KEY="MnemonicKey";
280
281 /**
282 * The key used for storing a <code>Boolean</code> that corresponds
283 * to the selected state. This is typically used only for components
284 * that have a meaningful selection state. For example,
285 * <code>JRadioButton</code> and <code>JCheckBox</code> make use of
286 * this but instances of <code>JMenu</code> don't.
287 * <p>
288 * This property differs from the others in that it is both read
289 * by the component and set by the component. For example,
290 * if an <code>Action</code> is attached to a <code>JCheckBox</code>
291 * the selected state of the <code>JCheckBox</code> will be set from
292 * that of the <code>Action</code>. If the user clicks on the
293 * <code>JCheckBox</code> the selected state of the <code>JCheckBox</code>
294 * <b>and</b> the <code>Action</code> will <b>both</b> be updated.
295 * <p>
296 * Note: the value of this field is prefixed with 'Swing' to
297 * avoid possible collisions with existing <code>Actions</code>.
298 *
299 * @since 1.6
300 */
301 public static final String SELECTED_KEY = "SwingSelectedKey";
302
303 /**
304 * The key used for storing an <code>Integer</code> that corresponds
305 * to the index in the text (identified by the <code>NAME</code>
306 * property) that the decoration for a mnemonic should be rendered at. If
307 * the value of this property is greater than or equal to the length of
308 * the text, it will treated as -1.
309 * <p>
310 * Note: the value of this field is prefixed with 'Swing' to
311 * avoid possible collisions with existing <code>Actions</code>.
312 *
313 * @see AbstractButton#setDisplayedMnemonicIndex
314 * @since 1.6
315 */
316 public static final String DISPLAYED_MNEMONIC_INDEX_KEY =
317 "SwingDisplayedMnemonicIndexKey";
318
319 /**
320 * The key used for storing an <code>Icon</code>. This is typically
321 * used by buttons, such as <code>JButton</code> and
322 * <code>JToggleButton</code>.
323 * <p>
324 * If the same <code>Action</code> is used with menus and buttons you'll
325 * typically specify both a <code>SMALL_ICON</code> and a
326 * <code>LARGE_ICON_KEY</code>. The menu will use the
327 * <code>SMALL_ICON</code> and the button the <code>LARGE_ICON_KEY</code>.
328 * <p>
329 * Note: the value of this field is prefixed with 'Swing' to
330 * avoid possible collisions with existing <code>Actions</code>.
331 *
332 * @since 1.6
333 */
334 public static final String LARGE_ICON_KEY = "SwingLargeIconKey";
335
336 /**
337 * Gets one of this object's properties
338 * using the associated key.
339 * @see #putValue
340 */
341 public Object getValue(String key);
342 /**
343 * Sets one of this object's properties
344 * using the associated key. If the value has
345 * changed, a <code>PropertyChangeEvent</code> is sent
346 * to listeners.
347 *
348 * @param key a <code>String</code> containing the key
349 * @param value an <code>Object</code> value
350 */
351 public void putValue(String key, Object value);
352
353 /**
354 * Sets the enabled state of the <code>Action</code>. When enabled,
355 * any component associated with this object is active and
356 * able to fire this object's <code>actionPerformed</code> method.
357 * If the value has changed, a <code>PropertyChangeEvent</code> is sent
358 * to listeners.
359 *
360 * @param b true to enable this <code>Action</code>, false to disable it
361 */
362 public void setEnabled(boolean b);
363 /**
364 * Returns the enabled state of the <code>Action</code>. When enabled,
365 * any component associated with this object is active and
366 * able to fire this object's <code>actionPerformed</code> method.
367 *
368 * @return true if this <code>Action</code> is enabled
369 */
370 public boolean isEnabled();
371
372 /**
373 * Adds a <code>PropertyChange</code> listener. Containers and attached
374 * components use these methods to register interest in this
375 * <code>Action</code> object. When its enabled state or other property
376 * changes, the registered listeners are informed of the change.
377 *
378 * @param listener a <code>PropertyChangeListener</code> object
379 */
380 public void addPropertyChangeListener(PropertyChangeListener listener);
381 /**
382 * Removes a <code>PropertyChange</code> listener.
383 *
384 * @param listener a <code>PropertyChangeListener</code> object
385 * @see #addPropertyChangeListener
386 */
387 public void removePropertyChangeListener(PropertyChangeListener listener);
388
389 }
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