Creating a GUI with multiple panels and one frame

Question

I am trying to create a simple GUI. I have a menu bar that is filled with various JMenuItems. Each menu item should link to a different "window". Currently, I am thinking the best way to do this is to create a single frame, and create various JPanels. My ActionListeners will toggle visibility of the different panels, and only one panel should be visible at a time. Is this the best way to go about the task? Or is there a better workaround.

Solution 1

Yes, the best way is to use a CardLayout of which there's a great tutorial (please see the link), and many examples online including in this very forum, several of which I've written, including:

• Java CardLayout Main Menu Problem
• Change size of JPanel using CardLayout
• Java CardLayout JPanel moves up, when second JPanel added
• Java swing; How to toggle panel's visibility?
• Clear components of JFrame and add new componets on the same JFrame
• gui multiple frames switch
• JLabel displaying countdown, java

Solution 2

JTabbedPane is already implemented for you!
JTabbedPane's tutorial.