Homework #5: Action handling

For this homework, you will create a simple application to exercise the Java Action interface and Swing toolbars, menus, and buttons.

The requirements for the application are as follows:

• The application class must be named ActionTest05 and be a member of a package named cis370.hw05.
• The application interface must include a toolbar, a menu bar, and a panel which displays an animation.
• The application should be able to display at least three different animations on the panel. The user should be able to switch from one animation to another by choosing the corresponding toolbar button, "Animation" menu item, or popup menu item.
• Exactly what you animate is up to you, but it should refresh at least five times per second. Examples are: randomly-colored circles drifting on a black background, a GIF image swinging back and forth, text streaming across the panel, a spaceship (from homework #4) firing its jets randomly.
• The menu bar will contain a "Animation" menu which will include an item for each animation implemented.
• The toolbar will contain a button for each animation implemented.
• The application will display a popup menu in response to a right-click on the panel. The popup menu will include an item for each animation implemented.
• The menu bar will contain a "File" menu. This menu will include an "Exit" item which will terminate the application.
• The implementation must use Action objects to handle toolbar and menu activity.
• Animations must operate correctly after the window is resized.
• The animation should pause whenever the window is not active.
• Each animation should remember its state, and should continue from that state after it is re-selected
• The application must be thoroughly (but not excessively) documented with javadoc.

This is an easy assignment. Rather than just getting something working, you should concentrate on delivering the simplest, most elegant, most object-oriented solution possible. One characteristic of a good solution would be how easy it would be to add another animation (or ten animations) to the application. Could you do it by adding only one new class (or ten new classes)? What other method(s) would have to change?

Hint: You've seen most of this stuff before, in homework #3, homework #4, and the examples code in class.

Due date: The homework is due at the beginning of class on 14 October.

Turn in: (1) A listing of the source file(s) for the application. (2) A screen dump of each animation in action. (3) The javadoc output for the application.

E-mail: A Zip or tar archive file containing all of your source files (including package.html) to grading@bozoid.com. The subject of the e-mail should be "ActionTest05", and the archive name should be hw05.zip or hw05.tar.gz. In addition to your source files, the archive file should include a text file named readme.txt containing your name and any other identifying information you think is appropriate. Do not include .class files, javadoc files, or screen dumps in the e-mail.

Note: Staple all the pages of your submission together, and make sure you put your name on your homework!