Adding label over multiple labels in java

Question

I have added multiple labels (boxes) on JFrame in the form of a grid. Now I want to add a label (ladder) over some of the labels in the grid, for this I am doing something like this:

for(int i=0, x=0; i<10; i++,x+=50) {
    for(int j=0, y=0; j<10; j++,y+=50) {
        box[i][j] = new JLabel(j);
        box[i][j].setOpaque(true);
        box[i][j].setBackground(Color.BLACK);   
        box[i][j].setBounds(x, y, 50,50);
        board.add(box[i][j]);
    }
}

ladder.setBounds(0, 0, 50, 200);
ladder.setOpaque(true);
board.add(ladder);

But this code does not adds ladder over boxes. So kindly tell how can I add ladder label over boxes.

Answer 1

You may use the JLayeredPane from your JFrame to achieve this.

Just put the board on the back layer, and the ladder on the front layer.

Here is an example, close to your actual code :

    JFrame frame = new JFrame();

    JPanel board = new JPanel();

    board.setLayout(null);
    board.setBounds(0, 0, 500, 500);

    for (int i = 0, x = 0; i < 10; i++, x += 50) {
        for (int j = 0, y = 0; j < 10; j++, y += 50) {
            JLabel lab = new JLabel("" + j);
            lab.setOpaque(true);
            lab.setBackground(Color.BLACK);
            lab.setBounds(x, y, 50, 50);
            board.add(lab);
        }
    }

    JLabel ladder = new JLabel();
    ladder.setBackground(Color.RED);
    ladder.setBounds(0, 0, 50, 200);
    ladder.setOpaque(true);

    JLayeredPane pane = frame.getLayeredPane();

    pane.add(ladder, new Integer(2)); // front
    pane.add(board, new Integer(1));  // back

    frame.setVisible(true);

Some more information here : How to Use Layered Panes