I want to align labels and textfields next to one other and all the buttons in a single row; how can i do it?

Question

I'm sorry for not giving much information; I'm new to Java. Please can you help me with this code? I want to align labels and textfields next to one other and all the buttons in a single row. How can i do this?

Here's how I'm creating a GroupLayout:

javax.swing.GroupLayout layout = new javax.swing.GroupLayout(getContentPane());
    getContentPane().setLayout(layout);

Here's how I'm creating a horizontal group:

layout.setHorizontalGroup(

  layout.createParallelGroup(javax.swing.GroupLayout.Alignment.LEADING)

  .addComponent(jPanel1, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, Short.MAX_VALUE)

  .addGroup(layout.createParallelGroup()

  .addGroup(layout.createParallelGroup(javax.swing.GroupLayout.Alignment.TRAILING)

  .addGroup(layout.createSequentialGroup()

  .addComponent(jScrollPane1, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, 400, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE))

  .addGroup(layout.createParallelGroup()
    .addGap(40, 40, 40)
    .addComponent(jLabel2)
    .addComponent(txtitem, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, 100, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addComponent(jLabel3)
    .addComponent(txtprice, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, 100,javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addComponent(jLabel4) 
    .addComponent(txtquantity, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, 100, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addComponent(jLabel5)
    .addComponent(txtreorder, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, 100, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addComponent(btnupdate)//,javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, 100, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE)//,javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, 100, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE)
    .addComponent(btndelete,javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, 100, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE)
    .addComponent(btnload,javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, 100, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE)
    .addComponent(btnadd)//,javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, 100, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE)
    .addComponent(txtreorder)
    .addComponent(jLabel5))
    )
  )
);

Here's how I'm creating a VerticalGroup:

layout.setVerticalGroup(
  layout.createParallelGroup()
    .addGroup(layout.createSequentialGroup()
    .addComponent(jPanel1, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addGap(40, 40, 40)
    .addGroup(layout.createSequentialGroup()
    .addComponent(jLabel2)
    .addComponent(txtitem, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addComponent(jLabel3)
    .addComponent(txtprice, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addComponent(jLabel4)
    .addComponent(txtquantity, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addComponent(jLabel5)
    .addComponent(txtreorder, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    // .addComponent(btnadd))
    .addGap(40, 40, 40)
    .addComponent(btnadd,javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addComponent(txtreorder, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addComponent(btnupdate,javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addComponent(txtreorder, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addComponent(btndelete,javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addComponent(txtreorder, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addComponent(btnload,javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addComponent(txtreorder, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, javax.swing.GroupLayout.PREFERRED_SIZE)
    .addPreferredGap(javax.swing.LayoutStyle.ComponentPlacement.RELATED)
    .addComponent(jScrollPane1, javax.swing.GroupLayout.DEFAULT_SIZE, 200, Short.MAX_VALUE)
    .addContainerGap()
    )
  )
);

Answer 1

You are never forced to use a single panel for all components.

I want to align labels and textfields next to one other

Maybe use a panel with eight a SpringLayout or GridBagLayout. Read the section from the Swing tutorial on How to Use Layout Managers for more information and examples.

and all the buttons in a single row.

Maybe use a panel with a FlowLayout .

Then add the first panel to the CENTER of your dialog and the buttons panel to the SOUTH.

Answer 2

Something like this:

label1.setBounds(2,2,50,25); 
textField1.setBounds(10,2,50,25);

ETC... for each item you want to programmatically place.

You'll want to play around with the (x,y,w,h) coordinates to fit your needs.