Find index of button in 2D Array Java?

Question

I just have a question on the following. I've got a 2D array of buttons that require me to run another method when I click on them. My current method relies on the following input, a String (which I can get from the user easily) and two integer values. These are dictated by the buttons position in the array.

I have a button listener attached to these buttons but I am not too sure how I can work out what the button's position actually is. I've made my own button class (because I wanted some specific settings and I thought it would be easier) and when making it I implemented a method called getXPos and getYPos which basically hold the values for the actual button in the array when it was created. Thing is I don't know how to retrieve these values now as the listener doesn't actually know what button is being pressed does it?

I can use the getSource() method but I then don't know how to invoke that source's methods. For example I tried to do the following.

int x = event.getSource().getXPos(); but I am unable to do this. Is there any way of telling what button I have pressed so I can access it's internal methods or something similar? Thanks!

1) "I've made my own button class (because I wanted some specific settings and I thought it would be easier)" If by 'settings' you mean 'attributes', use a factory method or a PLAF instead. 2) For better help sooner, post an SSCCE. — Andrew Thompson
– Andrew Thompson, Commented Oct 13, 2012 at 3:02

Brian · Accepted Answer · 2015-06-09 14:30:23Z

2

To call a method on the source, you have to cast it first. If you're never adding your ActionListener to anything but an instance of your special MyButton with its x and y variables, you can do this:

MyButton button = (MyButton) event.getSource();
int x = button.getXPos();
int y = button.getYPos();

Then MyButton contains the x and y:

public class MyButton extends JButton {

    private int xPos;
    private int yPos;

    // ...

    public int getXPos() {
        return xPos;
    }

    public int getYPos() {
        return yPos;
    }
}

And make sure you're always adding your listener to instances of MyButton:

MyButton myButton = new MyButton();
// ...
myButton.addActionListener(new ActionListener() {
    public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e) {
        MyButton button = (MyButton) e.getSource();
        int xPos = button.getXPos();
        int yPos = button.getYPos();
        // Do something with x and y
    }
});

edited Jun 9, 2015 at 14:30

answered Oct 13, 2012 at 2:59

Brian

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3 Comments

Scott Over a year ago

Worked perfectly wasn't aware you could also cast objects, only thought it was primitives. Problem solved thank you so much EDIT: To confirm yes I made a special button listener just for these specific buttons, and my method was very similar to above.

Brian Over a year ago

Indeed, casting applies to everything. Check out this Java trail on inheritance. It covers casting objects in addition to other inheritance properties.

Ungeheuer Over a year ago

brian, in your ActionListener code you say event.getSource() do you mean e.getSource?

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