Java Notes

Inner-class Listeners

Named inner class

Defining an inner class listener to handle events is a very popular style.

• Access. Use an inner class rather than an outer class to access instance variables of the enclosing class. In the example below, the myGreetingField can be referenced by the listener class. Because simple program listeners typically get or set values of other widgets in the interface, it is very convenient to use an inner class.
• Reuse. Unlike anonymous inner class listeners, it's easy to reuse the same listener for more than one control, eg, the click of a button might perform the same action as the equivalent menu item, and might be the same as hitting the enter key in a text field.
• Organization. It's easier to group all the listeners together with inner classes than with anonymous inner class listeners.

Examples

See Lesson 7 - DogYears - Listeners

Partial source code to share one inner class listener

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// File:  : events/SomePanel.java
// Purpose: Show use of named inner class listener.
// Author : Fred Swartz
// Date   : 2005-09-05

import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.event.*;

class SomePanel extends JPanel {

    private JButton    myGreetingButton = new JButton("Hello");
    private JTextField myGreetingField  = new JTextField(20);

    //=== Constructor
    public SomePanel() {
        ActionListener doGreeting = new GreetingListener();
        myGreetingButton.addActionListener(doGreeting);
        myGreetingField.addActionListener(doGreeting);
        // . . . Layout the panel.
    }


    /////////////////////////// Define inner class as listener.
    private class GreetingListener implements ActionListener {
        public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
            myGreetingField.