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no1zson

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Impementing First GUI into Current App

Jul 22nd, 2007

I have spent the weekend reading about GUI and how Java uses it, and all I got was confused. :o) I decided the best way to learn it was just to get in to it and start coding, so that is what I did. Went better than I thought it would.
I feel I have a pretty good grip on it (at least for 1 day of practice) but what I do not seem to be able to figure out is how to alter my current cd inventory application to start using the GUI instead of my old DOS prompts. I want to use the same logic, same rules, and all that, except now I want the information to be entered from, and displayed in a GUI interface.
Do I have to write a whole new class and discard the Inventory one I use currently, or is there a way to apply the tried and tested rules I currently have and just mesh in GUI methods and constructors to take the place of what is there?
Any help would be welcome.
Here is my current GUI that I have been working on. It is simple, I just wanted to get the first two fields up to play with them.
First:

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import java.util.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;
 
public class CdTextFrame extends JFrame
{
	public JTextField cdField1; // JLabel for CdwArtist class
	public JTextField cdField2;
	public JTextField cdField3;
	public JTextField cdField4;
 
	//CdFrame contructor adds Text Fields to JFrame
	public CdTextFrame()
	{
		super("CD Inventory");
		setLayout(new FlowLayout());  // set frame layout
 
		// 1st Field 
		cdField1 = new JTextField("CD Name");
		cdField1.setEditable(false); 
		add(cdField1);
		// 2nd Field
		cdField2 = new JTextField(10);
		cdField2.setToolTipText("Enter CD Name Here");
		add (cdField2);
		// 3rd Field 
		cdField3 = new JTextField("Artist");
		cdField3.setEditable(false); 
		add(cdField3);
		// 4th Field
		cdField4 = new JTextField(10);
		cdField4.setToolTipText("Enter Performing Artist Here");
		add (cdField4);
 
		// register event handlers
		CdFieldHandler handler = new CdFieldHandler();
		cdField2.addActionListener(handler);
		cdField4.addActionListener(handler);
 
		} // end constructor CdFrame
 
		// private inner class for event handling
		private class CdFieldHandler implements ActionListener
		{
			// process text field events method
			public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
			{
			String string = "";   //declare string to display 
 
			// user pressed Enter in JTextField cdField2
			if (event.getSource()==cdField2)
				string = String.format("textField2: %s",
				event.getActionCommand());
 
			// user pressed Enter in JTextField cdField4
			if (event.getSource()==cdField4)
				string = String.format("textField4: %s",
				event.getActionCommand());
 
			// display JTextField content
			JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null, string);
			} // end process text fields method
		} // end event handling class
} // end clss CdFrame
import java.util.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;

public class CdTextFrame extends JFrame
{
	public JTextField cdField1; // JLabel for CdwArtist class
	public JTextField cdField2;
	public JTextField cdField3;
	public JTextField cdField4;
	
	//CdFrame contructor adds Text Fields to JFrame
	public CdTextFrame()
	{
		super("CD Inventory");
		setLayout(new FlowLayout());  // set frame layout
		
		// 1st Field 
		cdField1 = new JTextField("CD Name");
		cdField1.setEditable(false); 
		add(cdField1);
		// 2nd Field
		cdField2 = new JTextField(10);
		cdField2.setToolTipText("Enter CD Name Here");
		add (cdField2);
		// 3rd Field 
		cdField3 = new JTextField("Artist");
		cdField3.setEditable(false); 
		add(cdField3);
		// 4th Field
		cdField4 = new JTextField(10);
		cdField4.setToolTipText("Enter Performing Artist Here");
		add (cdField4);
		
		// register event handlers
		CdFieldHandler handler = new CdFieldHandler();
		cdField2.addActionListener(handler);
		cdField4.addActionListener(handler);
		
		} // end constructor CdFrame
		
		// private inner class for event handling
		private class CdFieldHandler implements ActionListener
		{
			// process text field events method
			public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event)
			{
			String string = "";   //declare string to display 
			
			// user pressed Enter in JTextField cdField2
			if (event.getSource()==cdField2)
				string = String.format("textField2: %s",
				event.getActionCommand());
				
			// user pressed Enter in JTextField cdField4
			if (event.getSource()==cdField4)
				string = String.format("textField4: %s",
				event.getActionCommand());
			
			// display JTextField content
			JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null, string);
			} // end process text fields method
		} // end event handling class
} // end clss CdFrame

Does not really do anything yet, I put a listener in there just to try it. Right now it pops open a window with whatever you enter in the field, I think there is probably where I would have it write to my array, or is it? This is where I get in over my head. I do not know what to do with any of it yet.
Next is my tester class, again, it does nothing of real substance, just something for me to test and play with. I am wondering if this is where I will have to lay down new code to replace the rules in my Inventory class that I have used up until now.

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import javax.swing.JFrame;
 
public class Cdguitext
{
	public static void main(String args[])
	{
	CdTextFrame cdTextFrame = new CdTextFrame(); // create cdframe
	cdTextFrame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
	cdTextFrame.setSize(375,180);
	cdTextFrame.setVisible(true);
	} // end main
} // end class
import javax.swing.JFrame;

public class Cdguitext
{
	public static void main(String args[])
	{
	CdTextFrame cdTextFrame = new CdTextFrame(); // create cdframe
	cdTextFrame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
	cdTextFrame.setSize(375,180);
	cdTextFrame.setVisible(true);
	} // end main
} // end class

Here is that class Inventory class. There are two classes (Compactdisk and CdwArtist) that this class uses for its parameters, if anyone needs to see them just let me know. They also are pretty basic get and set classes.

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import java.util.*;
 
public class Inventory 
{// begin class Inventory
 
 public static int maxlength = 0;
  public static CdwArtist[] sort(CdwArtist[] cds)
   { 
	Arrays.sort(cds, 0, maxlength); 
	return cds;
	}
 
 public static String toString(CdwArtist[] cds)
  { 
  	String toSend = "\n\n"; 
 
	for(int i = 0; i < maxlength; i ++)
	toSend = toSend + cds[i].getName() + "\n";
	return toSend;
  } 
 
  public static void main(String[] args)
  {//begin method main
 
   // create cd Array 
	CdwArtist[] cds = new CdwArtist[100];
 
 
	float totalValue = 0; 
 
	Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in); // create scanner 
 
	// begin display method 
	System.out.print("Enter up to 99 CD Names or STOP to Exit: "); 
	String nameInput = input.nextLine(); //read cd name 
 
 
	 for(int i = 0; i < cds.length && !nameInput.equalsIgnoreCase("STOP"); i++)
	 {// begin main While
	  cds[i] = new CdwArtist();
	  cds[i].setName(nameInput);
 
	  System.out.print("Enter CD Artist Name: "); // prompt for artist name
	  CdwArtist artist = new CdwArtist(input.nextLine()); 
 
	  System.out.print("Enter Price of this CD: "); // prompt for price
	  cds[i].setPrice(input.nextFloat()); // price input from user. 
	  while (cds[i].getPrice()<= 0) 
	 	{// begin while 
	   	System.out.print("Price Must Be Greater Than Zero. Enter Price: ");
			cds[i].setPrice(input.nextFloat()); // cd price loop from user.
	  	} // End while 
 
	  System.out.print("Enter CD Item Number: "); // prompt for cd item number
	  cds[i].setItemno(input.nextInt()); // cds item number input from user 
 
	  System.out.print("Enter Number of these CDs in Stock: "); // prompt for cd stock 
	  cds[i].setNstock(input.nextInt()); // cds in stock input from user
 
	  System.out.print("\n\nCD "+cds[i].getName()+", Item Number "+cds[i].getItemno()+","); // display name 
	  System.out.printf(" is worth %c%.2f.",'$', + cds[i].getPrice());//
	  System.out.print("\nWe have "+ cds[i].getNstock()+" copies in stock,");
	  System.out.printf(" making our inventory for this cd worth %c%.2f.\n", '$', + cds[i].getValue()); //inventory value 
 
	  if(cds[i].getValue() != -1) totalValue = totalValue + cds[i].getValue();
	  System.out.printf("Combined Inventory for all CDs is Worth %c%.2f.\n\n\n", '$', + totalValue);
 
	  System.out.print("Enter up to 99 CD Names or STOP to Exit: "); 
	  input=new Scanner(System.in); // internal loop prompt 
	  nameInput = input.nextLine(); //name input from user 
 
	  maxlength ++; 
	  } // End main While
 
	   //System.out.println(toString(cds));
		System.out.println(toString(sort(cds))); 
		System.out.print("Ending Program."); 
 
   }// end method main 
} // end class Payroll
 
import java.util.*;

public class Inventory 
{// begin class Inventory

 public static int maxlength = 0;
  public static CdwArtist[] sort(CdwArtist[] cds)
   { 
	Arrays.sort(cds, 0, maxlength); 
	return cds;
	}
	
 public static String toString(CdwArtist[] cds)
  { 
  	String toSend = "\n\n"; 
	
	for(int i = 0; i < maxlength; i ++)
	toSend = toSend + cds[i].getName() + "\n";
	return toSend;
  } 
  
  public static void main(String[] args)
  {//begin method main
  
   // create cd Array 
	CdwArtist[] cds = new CdwArtist[100];
	
 
	float totalValue = 0; 
	
	Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in); // create scanner 
	
	// begin display method 
	System.out.print("Enter up to 99 CD Names or STOP to Exit: "); 
	String nameInput = input.nextLine(); //read cd name 
	
	
	 for(int i = 0; i < cds.length && !nameInput.equalsIgnoreCase("STOP"); i++)
	 {// begin main While
	  cds[i] = new CdwArtist();
	  cds[i].setName(nameInput);
	  
	  System.out.print("Enter CD Artist Name: "); // prompt for artist name
	  CdwArtist artist = new CdwArtist(input.nextLine()); 
	  	  	  
	  System.out.print("Enter Price of this CD: "); // prompt for price
	  cds[i].setPrice(input.nextFloat()); // price input from user. 
	  while (cds[i].getPrice()<= 0) 
	 	{// begin while 
	   	System.out.print("Price Must Be Greater Than Zero. Enter Price: ");
			cds[i].setPrice(input.nextFloat()); // cd price loop from user.
	  	} // End while 
	  
	  System.out.print("Enter CD Item Number: "); // prompt for cd item number
	  cds[i].setItemno(input.nextInt()); // cds item number input from user 
	  
	  System.out.print("Enter Number of these CDs in Stock: "); // prompt for cd stock 
	  cds[i].setNstock(input.nextInt()); // cds in stock input from user
	  
	  System.out.print("\n\nCD "+cds[i].getName()+", Item Number "+cds[i].getItemno()+","); // display name 
	  System.out.printf(" is worth %c%.2f.",'$', + cds[i].getPrice());//
	  System.out.print("\nWe have "+ cds[i].getNstock()+" copies in stock,");
	  System.out.printf(" making our inventory for this cd worth %c%.2f.\n", '$', + cds[i].getValue()); //inventory value 
	 
	  if(cds[i].getValue() != -1) totalValue = totalValue + cds[i].getValue();
	  System.out.printf("Combined Inventory for all CDs is Worth %c%.2f.\n\n\n", '$', + totalValue);
	  
	  System.out.print("Enter up to 99 CD Names or STOP to Exit: "); 
	  input=new Scanner(System.in); // internal loop prompt 
	  nameInput = input.nextLine(); //name input from user 
	  
	  maxlength ++; 
	  } // End main While
	  
	   //System.out.println(toString(cds));
		System.out.println(toString(sort(cds))); 
		System.out.print("Ending Program."); 

   }// end method main 
} // end class Payroll

I really hate to think all that coding goes to waste if I choose to use a GUI interface instead, I was hoping there was a way to put my GUI methods in this existing class, but if not ... then oh well, all part of the learning process I guess.

Last edited by no1zson; Jul 22nd, 2007 at 8:52 pm.

I never drew first, but I drew first blood.
I'm no ones son, unforgiven.

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no1zson

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Re: Impementing First GUI into Current App

Jul 22nd, 2007

What I am trying to wrap my brain around, is how the GUI is going to talk to the array, and vice versa.
I had it in my mind (before I started) that when I began defining the fields of the GUI; field2, field4 and so on, that I would somehow be able to map the data that I entered into these new fields back to that array.
I am not sure I can do it that way anylonger, but I already have an array defined, working, and ready to be used, certainly I can create a GUI that uses it as it is, cant I?
Am I making sense?

Last edited by no1zson; Jul 22nd, 2007 at 11:49 pm.

I never drew first, but I drew first blood.
I'm no ones son, unforgiven.

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Ezzaral

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Re: Impementing First GUI into Current App

Jul 23rd, 2007

You have two options (well, a lot more than 2 actually, but here are two):
Move the code that manages your array into the CdTextFrame class.
Give the Inventory class methods that let you add, remove, and view the CDs and call those methods from your CdTextFrame class.

Instead of a loop using Scanner, you will need a button to Add CD. You will want a JList to display the names of the current CDs in the array. You could also add buttons to Edit or Remove a CD from the Inventory. The listeners for these buttons can act upon the array itself if you have it in the CdTextFrame class, or call methods on the Inventory if you wish to put them there.

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no1zson

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Re: Impementing First GUI into Current App

Jul 23rd, 2007

OK, I wanted to learn JList weeks ago, but did not have what I considered a good opportunity. I also will need to learn buttons, so I am going with option 2 here.
I have scrapped my CdTextFrame class completely and tried to start a JList the way my book has it, but I am missing something.

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

public class GuicdInventory extends JFrame
{
	Inventory guiInventory = new Inventory();
	
	private Jlist cDJList;
	
	
	//contructor adds  Inventory to JFrame
	public GuicdInventory()
	{
		super("CD Inventory");
		setLayout(new FlowLayout());  // set frame layout
		
		cDJList = new JList(Object[] guicdInventory);
		cDJList.setVisibleRowCount(99);		
		add(new JScrollPane(cDJList));
		
		} // end constructor
		
				
			public static void main(String args[])
			{
			GuicdInventory guiceInentory = new GuicdInventory;
			GuicdInventory.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
			GuicdInventory.setSize(500,800);
			GuicdInventory.setVisible(true);
			} // end f 
			
} // end main

I want to learn this a step at a time so that I do not get in over my head, but I am getting .class expected, and ; expected on the bolded line above, pointing at "guiInvnetory".
If I am understanding you, I will want to create the JList in this new class, and a button in my old Inventory class to replace my scanner, and that will enable me to simply list my array inventory?

Last edited by no1zson; Jul 23rd, 2007 at 1:28 pm.

I never drew first, but I drew first blood.
I'm no ones son, unforgiven.

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no1zson

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Re: Impementing First GUI into Current App

Jul 23rd, 2007

Well, I had noticed buttons before, so I think this is pretty close to right. How I replace the loop with one is a bit of a mystery at this point, but right now, even with all the new stuff here I am still getting that same message on the same line.

 Help with Code Tags 
 Java Syntax (Toggle Plain Text) 
import java.util.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;
 
public class GuicdInventory extends JFrame
{
	Inventory guiInventory = new Inventory();
 
	private Jlist cDJList;
 
 
	//contructor adds  Inventory to JFrame
	public GuicdInventory()
	{
		super("CD Inventory");
		setLayout(new FlowLayout());  // set frame layout
 
		// adds buttons
		addButton = new Button("Add");
		add (addButton);
 
		// create an object to listen to buttons
		ButtonListener myButtonListener = new ButtonListener(); 
 
		// tell buttons that myButtonListener should be notified
		addButton.addActionListener(myButtonListener); 
		setVisible(true); 
 
		cDJList = new JList(Object[] guicdInventory);
		cDJList.setVisibleRowCount(99);		
		add(new JScrollPane(cDJList));
 
		} // end constructor
 
 
			public static void main(String args[])
			{
			GuicdInventory guiceInentory = new GuicdInventory;
			GuicdInventory.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
			GuicdInventory.setSize(500,800);
			GuicdInventory.setVisible(true);
			} // end  
 
} // end main
import java.util.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;

public class GuicdInventory extends JFrame
{
	Inventory guiInventory = new Inventory();
	
	private Jlist cDJList;
	
	
	//contructor adds  Inventory to JFrame
	public GuicdInventory()
	{
		super("CD Inventory");
		setLayout(new FlowLayout());  // set frame layout
		
		// adds buttons
		addButton = new Button("Add");
		add (addButton);
		
		// create an object to listen to buttons
		ButtonListener myButtonListener = new ButtonListener(); 
		
		// tell buttons that myButtonListener should be notified
		addButton.addActionListener(myButtonListener); 
		setVisible(true); 
		
		cDJList = new JList(Object[] guicdInventory);
		cDJList.setVisibleRowCount(99);		
		add(new JScrollPane(cDJList));
		
		} // end constructor
		
				
			public static void main(String args[])
			{
			GuicdInventory guiceInentory = new GuicdInventory;
			GuicdInventory.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
			GuicdInventory.setSize(500,800);
			GuicdInventory.setVisible(true);
			} // end  
			
} // end main

I never drew first, but I drew first blood.
I'm no ones son, unforgiven.

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Ezzaral

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Re: Impementing First GUI into Current App

Jul 23rd, 2007

By starting on GUI programming, you are venturing a lot deeper into OO programming then you've ever been before. Java has some extremely flexible APIs for visual components but they come at a cost of complexity.

The no class found is because you have used a variable you haven't defined (you mispelled it). Also, this line:

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GuicdInventory guiceInentory = new GuicdInventory;

will not compile - no parenthesis.

The button to add new will not go into another class. It has to remain in the JFrame class. You will need the action listener to perform whatever code is needed to add the new CD.

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no1zson

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Re: Impementing First GUI into Current App

Jul 23rd, 2007

Yeah, I am seeing that. I want to try and keep this as simple as possible. Too complicated and I am just going to frustrate myself.
I found the misspellings and the parenthesis in my last post, I think you were looking at code I posted before I found them. I did put the Button code in my JFrame extention also.
Editing the loop will be the next step, but first I have to get this list working and I am still getting the same error on the same line.

 Help with Code Tags 
 Java Syntax (Toggle Plain Text) 
import java.util.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;
 
public class GuicdInventory extends JFrame
{
	Inventory guicdInventory = new Inventory();
 
	private Jlist cDJList;
 
 
	//contructor adds  Inventory to JFrame
	public GuicdInventory()
	{
		super("CD Inventory");
		setLayout(new FlowLayout());  // set frame layout
 
		// adds buttons
		addButton = new Button("Add");
		add (addButton);
 
		// create an object to listen to buttons
		ButtonListener myButtonListener = new ButtonListener(); 
 
 
 
		cDJList = new JList(Object[] guicdInventory);
		cDJList.setVisibleRowCount(99);		
		add(new JScrollPane(cDJList));
 
		} // end constructor
 
 
			public static void main(String args[])
			{
			GuicdInventory guicdInentory = new GuicdInventory;
			GuicdInventory.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
			GuicdInventory.setSize(500,800);
			GuicdInventory.setVisible(true);
			// tell buttons that myButtonListener should be notified
			addButton.addActionListener(myButtonListener); 
			setVisible(true);
			} // end  
 
} // end main
import java.util.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;

public class GuicdInventory extends JFrame
{
	Inventory guicdInventory = new Inventory();
	
	private Jlist cDJList;
	
	
	//contructor adds  Inventory to JFrame
	public GuicdInventory()
	{
		super("CD Inventory");
		setLayout(new FlowLayout());  // set frame layout
		
		// adds buttons
		addButton = new Button("Add");
		add (addButton);
		
		// create an object to listen to buttons
		ButtonListener myButtonListener = new ButtonListener(); 
		
		 
		
		cDJList = new JList(Object[] guicdInventory);
		cDJList.setVisibleRowCount(99);		
		add(new JScrollPane(cDJList));
		
		} // end constructor
		
				
			public static void main(String args[])
			{
			GuicdInventory guicdInentory = new GuicdInventory;
			GuicdInventory.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
			GuicdInventory.setSize(500,800);
			GuicdInventory.setVisible(true);
			// tell buttons that myButtonListener should be notified
			addButton.addActionListener(myButtonListener); 
			setVisible(true);
			} // end  
			
} // end main

I am going to go to lunch before I get too aggravated. Maybe it will look differently when I get back! :o)

I never drew first, but I drew first blood.
I'm no ones son, unforgiven.

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Ezzaral

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Re: Impementing First GUI into Current App

Jul 23rd, 2007

This may help:
http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutor...ents/list.html

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no1zson

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Re: Impementing First GUI into Current App

Jul 23rd, 2007

I hate that site. I was trying to read up on arrays there this morning. Just made me more confused.
I know it is helpful to people that already understand what is going on, but for me, being the first time I have ever attempted any of this, it is vague examples I do not understand.
It is good for giving me an idea of what I should try, but when I have specific questions it just makes my head swim ... like now.

I never drew first, but I drew first blood.
I'm no ones son, unforgiven.

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Join Date: May 2007

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Ezzaral

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Re: Impementing First GUI into Current App

#10

Jul 23rd, 2007

It is complaining because this line

 Help with Code Tags 
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 cDJList = new JList(Object[] guicdInventory);
 cDJList = new JList(Object[] guicdInventory);

is not a valid parameter to the constructor - you don't need the Object[] part, just a variable that is an array of Object.

Keep in mind, if you pass in an object array, JList will use the value of toString() for that object in the list. You may have to override

 Help with Code Tags 
 Java Syntax (Toggle Plain Text) 
public String toString()
public String toString()

in your CD class to have the name or other description appear in your list.

Also, if you haven't added any CDs to the array at the point you create the list, there won't be anything to display