# Java: FlowLayout

`java.awt.FlowLayout` arranges components from left-to-right and top-to-bottom, centering components horizontally with a five pixel gap between them. When a container size is changed (eg, when a window is resized), FlowLayout recomputes new positions for all components subject to these constraints.

Use FlowLayout because it's quick and easy. It's a good first choice when using iterative development. I often start with a FlowLayout in an early iteration then switch to a better layout, if necessary, on a later iteration.

### Example

The window above is the default size after packing the FlowLayout. The window on the right shows the same window after it has been resized by dragging the lower-right corner, resulting in components flowing down onto other lines. |

### Source code for example

Here is the relevant part of the source code for the above example.

    // Note: a real program would add listeners to the buttons.
    JPanel content = new JPanel();
    content.setLayout(new FlowLayout());
    content.add(new JButton("Button 1"));
    content.add(new JButton("2"));
    content.add(new JButton("This is button three"));
    content.add(new JButton("four"));

### Constructors

Typically the constructor is called in the call to the container's `setLayout` method (see example code). The parameterless `FlowLayout()` constructor is probably most common, but there are some good places to use the alignment.

    new FlowLayout()         // default is centered with 5 pixel gaps
    new FlowLayout(int align)
    new FlowLayout(int align, int hgap, int vgap)

### Alignment

`align` is one of `FlowLayout.LEFT`, `FlowLayout.CENTER` (the default), or `FlowLayout.RIGHT`. You might want to use the RIGHT aligment when building a dialog that puts the OK and Cancel buttons at the lower right.

### Spacing

The default spacing is good for most purposes and is rarely changed. `hgap` is the size in pixels of the horizontal gap (distance) between components, and `vgap` is the vertical gap.

## Typical uses

- Quick implementation. This is the most common use of FlowLayout. You can get something working quickly, and change it, if necessary, in a later iteration.
- Space around component in a BorderLayout. As a subpanel to keep components from expanding. For example, you might want to add a button to the SOUTH part of a BorderLayout, but don't want it to expand to the edges of the SOUTH region. Just put the button in a FlowLayout JPanel and add that to the SOUTH.
- Multiple components in a BorderLayout region. When you want to add several components to a BorderLayout region, drop them into a FlowLayout panel and put that in the BorderLayout.

## Problem

`FlowLayout` makes components as small as possible, and does not use their preferred size. This can show up when you define a JPanel for drawing. Typically you will set a preferred size, but the panel may "disappear" in a FlowLayout because it was set to its minimum size (0).