Building a Java GUI
Calculator with Apache
NetBeans
This guide offers a practical approach to desktop application
development. You will learn GUI design, event handling, and
core logic. We utilize the Apache NetBeans IDE and Java Swing
framework.
by Abhay Singh
Why Build a GUI Calculator? The 'Why'
Developing a GUI calculator provides many benefits. It offers platform independence. NetBeans helps with
rapid application development. You learn fundamental concepts like event handling. This is a practical skill
for enterprise software. Java developers are highly sought after globally.
Platform Independence: Java applications run on any OS with JVM.
Rapid Application Development (RAD): NetBeans' visual builder accelerates UI design.
Fundamental Concepts: Teaches event handling, UI layout, basic logic.
Practical Skill: Foundation for complex desktop enterprise software.
Market Relevance: 3.5M+ Java developers globally (Statista 2023).
Step 1: Setting Up Your NetBeans Project
Install Prerequisites
Install JDK 8+ and Apache NetBeans IDE (v12+).
Create New Project
Select "Java with Ant" then "Java Application."
Name Your Project
Use a name like "SimpleCalculatorApp." Uncheck "Create Main Class."
Add JFrame Form
Right-click project, then New, then JFrame Form.
Default Layout
NetBeans uses Group Layout (Matisse) by default. This layout manager allows for flexible component sizing, with panels
often expanding to fill space and buttons automatically adjusting to their content or being manually resized for optimal
user interaction.
Step 2: Designing the User Interface
Palette Window Display Field Number Buttons Operation Buttons
Drag-and-drop Swing Use JTextField (e.g., Add JButtons for 0-9, Add JButtons for +, -, *,
components. txtDisplay). Set ".". Set Text property. /, =, C.
editable to false.
Property Inspector
Adjust size, font, and variable names.
Step 3: Implementing Button
Actions (Event Handling)
1 Event Listeners
Each button needs an ActionListener. Right-click, then Events,
Action, actionPerformed.
2 Number Input
Append digits to the display field. For example:
txtDisplay.setText(txtDisplay.getText() + "digit");
3 Operator Storage
Store operand1 and operator when an operator is pressed.
4 Clear Button (C)
Reset the display and variables. For example: txtDisplay.setText("");
Step 4: Crafting the Calculation Logic
Parse Input
Equals Button (`=`)
Convert display text to a double
Trigger the main calculation logic. 1
2 for the second operand.
Error Handling
Switch Statement
6
Implement try-catch for
Use the stored operator variable.
exceptions like division by 3
zero.
Display Result Perform Calculation
5
Show the final result on the 4 Calculate the result (e.g.,
calculator display. operand1 + operand2;).
Step 5: Running and Testing Your Calculator
1 Compile Project
Clean and Build Project using Shift+F11.
2 Run Application
Execute the project with F6.
3 Test Basic Operations
Verify simple calculations, e.g., 5 + 3 = 8.
4 Test Edge Cases
Check division by zero and decimal operations.
5 NetBeans Debugger
Use breakpoints (Ctrl+F8) to inspect variables.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Recap Further Enhancements Advanced Improvements
We covered GUI setup, event • Add advanced functions like • Implement order of
handling, and calculation sqrt or mod. operations (PEMDAS).
logic. You built a functional • Implement keyboard input • Refactor using MVC design
desktop application. support. pattern.
