Editing Java Platform, Standard Edition (section)

=== javax.swing ===
{{Main|Swing (Java)}}

[[Swing (Java)|Swing]] is a collection of routines that build on <code>java.awt</code> to provide a platform independent [[widget toolkit]]. {{Javadoc:SE|package=javax.swing|javax/swing|module=java.desktop}} uses the 2D drawing routines to render the user interface components instead of relying on the underlying native [[operating system]] GUI support.

This package contains the largest number of classes (133 in all) in JDK 6. This package, along with <code>java.awt</code> also contains the largest number of enums (7 in all) in JDK 6. It supports pluggable looks and feels (PLAFs) so that widgets in the GUI can imitate those from the underlying native system. Design patterns permeate the system, especially a modification of the [[model–view–controller]] pattern, which loosens the [[coupling (computer science)|coupling]] between function and appearance. One inconsistency is that (as of J2SE 1.3) fonts are drawn by the underlying native system, and not by Java, limiting text portability. Workarounds, such as using bitmap fonts, do exist. In general, "layouts" are used and keep elements within an aesthetically consistent GUI across platforms.