Java Programming: Ant Simulator..

[xKratosx]

Hey guys, I guess it'd be a good idea to explain the basic principle of this program since knowing my Java 'skills' I'll be asking a lot of questions regarding it.

It will basically consist of an "add ant" button that will create an ant in a little panel, each ant has it's own ID (1-10, 10 being the maximum amount of ants) and it's own unique colour. There will be ten radio buttons below the panel so that the user can select what ant they want to move, and they can actually move the ant by using the arrow keys.

The 'ant type' box is disabled at the moment, there's no real need to have it, although I stuck it on there because it may be implemented at a later date.

Here's the code at present:

/* Ant.java
   A program created to simulate an ant colony.
   Author : Nick Drew
   Date : 15/02/2005
   Ref : U30.01 - Java Programming  */

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

public class Ant extends JFrame
{
   int colonySize = 0;
   int[] index = new int[10];
   
   // JLabel and JTextfield for Ant Type
   private JLabel typeJLabel;
   private JTextField typeJTextField;

   // JButton to create an ant
   private JButton createJButton;

   // JTextArea to display results
   private JTextArea backgroundJTextArea;
   
   // JLabel for the Instructions
   private JLabel instructionsJLabel;
   
   // JLabels for the Ants
   private JLabel antOneJLabel;
   private JLabel antTwoJLabel;
   private JLabel antThreeJLabel;
   private JLabel antFourJLabel;   
   private JLabel antFiveJLabel;
   private JLabel antSixJLabel;   
   private JLabel antSevenJLabel;
   private JLabel antEightJLabel;   
   private JLabel antNineJLabel;
   private JLabel antTenJLabel;
   
   // JLabels for the Key
   private JLabel keyOneJLabel;
   private JLabel keyTwoJLabel;
   private JLabel keyThreeJLabel;
   private JLabel keyFourJLabel;   
   private JLabel keyFiveJLabel;
   private JLabel keySixJLabel;   
   private JLabel keySevenJLabel;
   private JLabel keyEightJLabel;   
   private JLabel keyNineJLabel;
   private JLabel keyTenJLabel;
   
   // no-argument constructor
   public Ant()
   {
      createUserInterface();
   }
   
   // create and position GUI components; register event handlers
   private void createUserInterface()
   {   
      // get content pane and set layout to null
      Container contentPane = getContentPane();
      contentPane.setLayout( null );

      // set up typeJLabel
      typeJLabel = new JLabel();
      typeJLabel.setBounds( 164, 22, 80, 21 );
      typeJLabel.setText( "Ant Type:" );
      contentPane.add( typeJLabel );
         
      // set up typeJTextField
      typeJTextField = new JTextField();
      typeJTextField.setBounds( 238, 22, 98, 21 );
      typeJTextField.setHorizontalAlignment( JTextField.RIGHT );
      typeJTextField.setEnabled( false );
      contentPane.add( typeJTextField );
      
      /* ----------------------------- */
      /* Start Of Key / Selection Area */
      
      // set up instructionsJLabel
      instructionsJLabel = new JLabel();
      instructionsJLabel.setBounds( 136, 328, 226, 21 );
      instructionsJLabel.setText( "Please select the ant you wish to move." );
      contentPane.add( instructionsJLabel );
      
      // set up keyOneJLabel
      keyOneJLabel = new JLabel();
      keyOneJLabel.setBounds( 68, 348, 80, 21 );
      keyOneJLabel.setText( "?" );
      keyOneJLabel.setForeground(Color.BLACK);
      contentPane.add( keyOneJLabel );
      
      // set up keyTwoJLabel
      keyTwoJLabel = new JLabel();
      keyTwoJLabel.setBounds( 68, 368, 80, 21 );
      keyTwoJLabel.setText( "?" );
      keyTwoJLabel.setForeground(Color.BLUE);
      contentPane.add( keyTwoJLabel );
      
      // set up keyThreeJLabel
      keyThreeJLabel = new JLabel();
      keyThreeJLabel.setBounds( 68, 388, 80, 21 );
      keyThreeJLabel.setText( "?" );
      keyThreeJLabel.setForeground(Color.CYAN);
      contentPane.add( keyThreeJLabel );
      
      // set up keyFourJLabel
      keyFourJLabel = new JLabel();
      keyFourJLabel.setBounds( 68, 408, 80, 21 );
      keyFourJLabel.setText( "?" );
      keyFourJLabel.setForeground(Color.GREEN);
      contentPane.add( keyFourJLabel );
      
      // set up keyFiveJLabel
      keyFiveJLabel = new JLabel();
      keyFiveJLabel.setBounds( 68, 428, 80, 21 );
      keyFiveJLabel.setText( "?" );
      keyFiveJLabel.setForeground(Color.ORANGE);
      contentPane.add( keyFiveJLabel );
      
      // set up keySixJLabel
      keySixJLabel = new JLabel();
      keySixJLabel.setBounds( 268, 348, 80, 21 );
      keySixJLabel.setText( "?" );
      keySixJLabel.setForeground(Color.PINK);
      contentPane.add( keySixJLabel );
      
      // set up keySevenJLabel
      keySevenJLabel = new JLabel();
      keySevenJLabel.setBounds( 268, 368, 80, 21 );
      keySevenJLabel.setText( "?" );
      keySevenJLabel.setForeground(Color.RED);
      contentPane.add( keySevenJLabel );
      
      // set up keyEightJLabel
      keyEightJLabel = new JLabel();
      keyEightJLabel.setBounds( 268, 388, 80, 21 );
      keyEightJLabel.setText( "?" );
      keyEightJLabel.setForeground(Color.BLUE);
      contentPane.add( keyEightJLabel );
      
      // set up keyNineJLabel
      keyNineJLabel = new JLabel();
      keyNineJLabel.setBounds( 268, 408, 80, 21 );
      keyNineJLabel.setText( "?" );
      keyNineJLabel.setForeground(Color.MAGENTA);
      contentPane.add( keyNineJLabel );
      
      // set up keyTenJLabel
      keyTenJLabel = new JLabel();
      keyTenJLabel.setBounds( 268, 428, 80, 21 );
      keyTenJLabel.setText( "?" );
      keyTenJLabel.setForeground(Color.YELLOW);
      contentPane.add( keyTenJLabel );
      
                  
      // set up createJButton and register its event handler
      createJButton = new JButton();
      createJButton.setBounds( 198, 58, 94, 24 );
      createJButton.setText( "Create Ant" );
      contentPane.add( createJButton );
      createJButton.addActionListener( 
       new ActionListener() // anonymous inner class
         {
            // method called when user clicks createJButton
            public void actionPerformed( ActionEvent event )
            {
               createJButtonActionPerformed( event );
            }      
         } // end anonymous inner class
         
      ); // end call to addActionListener
      
      //setup backgroundJTextArea
      backgroundJTextArea = new JTextArea();
      backgroundJTextArea.setBounds( 46, 86, 386, 246 );
   backgroundJTextArea.setEditable( false );
      contentPane.add( backgroundJTextArea );
      
      // set properties of window
      setTitle( "Java Ant Class" );  	// set window's title
      setSize( 488, 488 );                  // set window's size
      setVisible( true );                   // display window
      
   } // end method createUserInterface
   
   // method called when user clicks calculateJButton
   private void createJButtonActionPerformed( ActionEvent event )
   {  
      JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null, "Add Ant, etc");
   } // end method calculateJButtonActionPerformed
  
   // main method
   public static void main( String[] args )
   {
      Ant application = new Ant();
      application.setDefaultCloseOperation( JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE );

   } // end method main
   
} // end class Ant

Edited February 22, 2005 by blizeH

[kjordan2001]

Well, you don't even need anything special if you're using a character, you can just use a regular panel and put a label on it then move the label around.

[xKratosx]

Oh really? That'd be fantastic, I'll have a play around now and let you know how I get on, thanks jordan :D

[_kane81]

if you really want to get a bit advanced and you know html. use JEditor Pane. you could add a real picture of an ant.

just refer to a image file just like in normal html.

 JEditorPane htmlEditor = new JEditorPane("text/html","<HTML>" +
 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? "<head></head>"+
                       "<body>" +
 ? ?                   "<B>HELLO<B>"+ ?
 ? ? ? ?               "</body>"+
 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? "</HTML>");

[xKratosx]

Nooo, I wish I'd read this thread earlier and saw that, HTML is so much easier than Java it's not even funny :p

Anyway...

I've now got the layout working Ok, it doesn't look great but it does work, so it'll do for now I think! Here's an image of it:

Ok, here's my next question and this is where it gets tricky. I've edited the first post to show how my code looks at present.

I need to code the 'create ant' button to create a JLabel ( antOneJLabel etc to be precise ) to appear in the middle of the white box. The problem is, the only way I can think of this is by using a while loop, which creates all ten ants at once (doh) and even worse, they don't use the appropiate ID set in index, they're all the same colour etc too. How do I set it so that each time I click add new ant it adds the ants in order, with the appropiate colour and the appropiate index number?

Any suggestions extremely welcome because I'm completely stumped.

[_kane81]

I'm not sure if this is what you want but Ill post it anyway...

  Quote

public class Ant extends JFrame implements ActionListener

{

...in create part

createJButton.addActionListener(this); //listen to button clicks

//creates a JLabel

private JLabel createAntLabel(int antType)

{

? if (antType == 1)

? ? ?return new JLabel("1");

? else

? if (antType == 2)

? ? ?return new JLabel("2");

?else

? if (antType == 3)

? ? ?return new JLabel("3");

?...etc

}

//listen to mouse clicks

public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e)

{

if(e.getSource == createJButton)

???????? - put what ant index you are creating herecreating here

? ? ?  antPanel.add(createAntLabel(antType)); //note: the position of the label will depend on the layout manager used and how it has been setup

? ? }

}

Edited February 21, 2005 by liykh001

[xKratosx]

Thanks for that mate, you're a star, looks like the principle is spot on but I'm getting countless errors, weeding through them all now but I think I'm making it worse :\

Edit: I think I'm getting somewhere!

Edited February 22, 2005 by blizeH

[xKratosx]

Two hours down the line and I must admit I am completely and utterly stumped, I've started again countless times and I don't seem to be getting anywhere.

I'm getting errors mostly in the last section of code, I've had to change the antType thing to index since antType isn't actually going to play any role in the program (sorry, should of made this more clear).

I've pasted the current code (which isn't working, at all) here or if someone could add me on MSN ( kissitgoodbye (at) hotmail.co.uk ) that'd be fantastic, thanks :)

[_kane81]

snip: I will post a txt file

Edited February 22, 2005 by liykh001

[xmr]

What IDE are you using? Checkout Eclipse (eclipse.org) for a good, free, IDE that supports Java out of the box. Very very useful for quashing bugs before you even compile any code.

[_kane81]

Hmm, I dont have time to help you much more with this today sorry.....

I have fixed you compile errors, but ..... I cant get the layout manager to work for some reason....

HELP ME :D

when you do antPanel.add(<aw label>), the labels keep getting overlayed with each other. I tried to work out the problem, but cant put my finger on it.

Ant.zipFetching info...

[xKratosx]

I'm using a program called JCreator ( www.jcreator.com ) so I'm having to code all of the interface by hand.

I've now spent about 10 hours on this and I'm getting absolutely no where, I really appreciate the help (especially from liykh001, superstar!) but I hate this langauge so much, I've lost all motivation and I've completely given up.

In true despiration, I'm going to offer anyone who can help me a lot ?15 or so for their help, I know I shouldn't be doing this but it's honestly driving me insane! Oh, if you're over 18 I'll also throw in a 'lil something extra that you may find useful, infact, for sure you'll find it useful and i'll talk you through it for as long as it takes.

blizeH ( at ) gmail.com

liyk001 gets first refusal (although I'm sure he'll decline, as will everyone else knowing my luck) since he's been such a fantastic help so far:))

Edit: WE HAVE A WINNER! (sorry just saw the attachment liyk001 ;x) add me up to msn - kissitgoodbye (at ) hotmail.co.uk please:))

[_kane81]

umm, the code compiles, but doesnt quite work I'm sorry to say, but I just dont have time at the moment.

[xKratosx]

No real rush, although sometime during or before the weekend would be fantastic, it looks to be almost complete now it's not going to requite a lot of work from now on I wouldn't of thought :) Either way add me up and I'll give you something via PayPal to say thanks for the help so far :)

[_kane81]

I dont need any money, thanks anyway. I will I will get a chance to look at tomorrow, but in the mean time someone else might fix the bug that I cant seem to figure out at the moment.

[xKratosx]

I don't care if you don't need the money, I want to thank you so even if you buy yourself a computer game, a java book or whatever with it that's fine :)

One thing I didn't make very clear is that the JTextLabel at the top (antType) doesn't actually do anything, it's not really suppose to, the ants are supposed to be added in order I do believe (click it and it adds ant 1, then again it adds ant 2 - this is all done via the index variable). I think that's the way it works, although I may be wrong.

Again, thank you so much for your help, you really are an absolute star :D

[_kane81]

A final soultion using HTML to dispaly the ants.

Using GridLayout wasnt designed for adding items on the fly, and as such caused the rows to go a bit funny. HTML was easier and simpiler.

AntFinal.zipFetching info...

[xKratosx]

liykh001 thank you so much!!! You really are an absolute hero, lol!

Now, my final question :$ I need to be able to select the ants and move them around, I've found this sample of a radio button but it doesn't let you place the radio buttons where you want so I guess it's pretty useless.

http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/ui...tml#radiobutton

I also found something regarding the keypress event but am not really sure how to implement it, especially not the bit that actually moves it :(

[JamesCherrill]

Check out Borland's JBuilder development system. There's a free version for personal use. It's crazy to try to debug code without a proper development & debuggng tool!

[_kane81]

  blizeH said:

Now, my final question :$ I need to be able to select the ants and move them around, I've found this sample of a radio button but it doesn't let you place the radio buttons where you want so I guess it's pretty useless. 

http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/ui...tml#radiobutton

I also found something regarding the keypress event but am not really sure how to implement it, especially not the bit that actually moves it :(

585520446[/snapback]

Well that will be harder :o, espcially trying to move html text :)

maybe you want to go back to grid layout then if your main purpose is to move ants not add them. if you are going to use the html editor version, you will need to move the ants in the same way that you can highlight and move MS Words to different parts of a paragraph.

This is as far as I go on this .... sorry your on your own....

[xKratosx]

I think it's a bit late for me to use another developement tool :(

Ah no worries liky001, send me your paypal address anyway damnit! lol

Let's be honest then, I'm screwed? :/