Can someone please recommend an alternative to Java swing? [closed]

Question

I have been mucking about with Java swing lately but it's butt ugly! Are most people who write Java GUI's using swing or something else? I would really appreciate a recommendation. I don't want to use a GUI builder because I need to learn how everything works first.

Thanks!

Answer 1

If you don't like the default Swing look'n'feel, you can change it ; many ready-built themes exist. And it is quite possible to build beautiful and ergonomic applications with Swing : take a look at Netbeans or IntelliJ.

But if you definitely want to use another graphic toolkit, you can try SWT. Contrary to Swing that is pure Java, SWT uses native controls as much as possible (those provided by your OS), and emulates the missing ones. It was developed for, and is used by, the Eclipse platform.

Answer 2

Most people use Swing.

Some use SWT, but you have to dispose object after use. (no auto dispose in Garbage collecting) It give very native look UI.

Some use Qt-Jambi, but then you have to understand some C++ code. Most of them are for interoperating with Qt.

Some ancient code use AWT. Most of them are for legacy reason. I recommend avoid it.