The applet will load a free-floating top-level window

You need to create a frame in your start() method:

JFrame f = new JFrame();
// add your compoinents to frame
f.pack();
f.show();

You need to create a JFrame in the applet

you should read previous posts before posting :)

I did

My code is something like this.
How do I create a JFrame in the applet ?(Sorry for my ignorance.)

public class LibraryApplet extends JApplet implements ActionListener{
...
...
...

 public void init() {    
    contentPane = getContentPane();
    layout = new GridBagLayout();
    contentPane.setLayout(layout);
    constraints = new GridBagConstraints();

Just combine your init with previous examples

public void init() {    
    f = new JFrame();
    contentPane = f.getContentPane();
    layout = new GridBagLayout();
    contentPane.setLayout(layout);
    constraints = new GridBagConstraints();

Does your applet have to have a gui layout of its own anyway?

Now, I think a my gui layout is under frame. I don't see any components.
By the way, I tried to load the applet on web browser and it wasn't free-floating top-level window. I am not sure it is related to layout problem....

>>By the way, I tried to load the applet on ...

which code did you use?

I used objects' code

public void init() {    
    f = new JFrame();
    contentPane = f.getContentPane();
    layout = new GridBagLayout();
    contentPane.setLayout(layout);
    constraints = new GridBagConstraints();

can u post the rest of the applet code?

I tried below code and now I have two seperate frame and I see the components on Frame I think. (the size was minimized, so i had to enlarged in order to see all components.)
On web browser, nothing has been changed.

 public void init()
   {
     f = new JFrame();
    contentPane = f.getContentPane();
    layout = new GridBagLayout();
    contentPane.setLayout(layout);
    constraints = new GridBagConstraints();
      f.pack();
   }

   public void start()
   {
      // applet is loaded so popup frame
      f.show();
   }

   public void stop()
   {
      // applet is unloaded so hide frame
      f.hide();
   }

There are no components being added in that code you posted, where do you add the components? You should be adding them to f.getContentPane().

This is my LibraryApplet.java file.
---------------------------------------

package dkim18.library;

//java extension and core packages
import java.io.*;
import java.awt.*;
import javax.swing.*;
import java.net.*;
import java.util.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.border.*;
import java.lang.*;
import java.awt.event.WindowEvent;
import java.awt.event.WindowAdapter;

/**
 * Library class is used to imiates Tech Library in project
 * description
 *
 *
 */
public class LibraryApplet extends JApplet implements ActionListener{

  private String[] name_office;               //patron string array for public func
  private String[] patronsArr;                //patron string array for public init
  private Container contentPane;              //content pane
  private JButton checkoutBtn;                //check out button
  private JButton checkinBtn;                 //check in button
  private GridBagLayout layout;               //GridBagLayout layout
  private GridBagConstraints constraints;     //GridBagConstraints constraints
  private JList patronsList;                  //patrons list;
  private JList bookList;                     //book list
  private JList logList;                      //log list
  private JLabel patronsLabel;                //patrons label
  private JLabel bookLabel;                   //available book label
  private JLabel logLabel;                    //log entry label
  private Vector vecBookAuthor;               //Book by Author vector
  private Vector vecLog;                      //log entry record vector
  private Vector recordVec;                   //record book and author vector
  private Calendar gc;                        //Calendar for check out date
  private JFrame f;

  /**
   * Initializes all privates and constructs frames, panel and
   * components
   */
  public void init() {

     
     f = new JFrame();
  contentPane = f.getContentPane();
  layout = new GridBagLayout();
  contentPane.setLayout(layout);
  constraints = new GridBagConstraints();
  f.pack() ;


      vecLog  = new Vector();
    recordVec = new Vector();

    //instantiate GregorianCalendar
    gc = new GregorianCalendar();

    //Book book= new Book();
    //Employees employee = new Employees();

    //read in patrons book record from file
    //vecBookAuthor = book.readBookFile();
    //patronsArr = employee.readEmployeeFile();
    vecBookAuthor = readBookFile();
    patronsArr = readEmployeeFile();

    //instantiate text for buttons and read in imges
    String[] BUTTON_NAMES = {"Check Out","Check In"};
    Icon[] icons = getButtonIcons();
    JPanel buttonHolder = new JPanel();
    checkoutBtn = new JButton(BUTTON_NAMES[0], icons[0]);
    checkinBtn = new JButton(BUTTON_NAMES[1], icons[1]);

    //set button mode to disabled
    checkoutBtn.setEnabled(false);
    checkinBtn.setEnabled(false);

    //instantiate patrons list its mode
    patronsList = new JList(patronsArr);
    patronsList.setSelectionMode(ListSelectionModel.SINGLE_SELECTION);

    //instantiate book list and its mode
    //sortVector(vecBookAuthor);
    bookList = new JList(vecBookAuthor);
    bookList.setSelectionMode(ListSelectionModel.SINGLE_SELECTION);

    //instantiate log list and its mode
    logList = new JList();
    logList.setSelectionMode(ListSelectionModel.SINGLE_SELECTION);

    //instantiate patrons list and sets label text
    logLabel = new JLabel("Log Entries(by book title):");
    logList.add(logLabel);

    //handles mouse event to detect patrons and book list selection
    MouseListener mouseListener = new MouseAdapter() {
      public void mouseClicked(MouseEvent e) {

        if ( (! (bookList.isSelectionEmpty())) &&
            (! (patronsList.isSelectionEmpty()))) {
          if (e.getClickCount() == 1) {
            checkoutBtn.setEnabled(true);
            checkinBtn.setEnabled(false);
          }
        }
        if (!logList.isSelectionEmpty()) {
          if (e.getClickCount() == 1) {
            checkoutBtn.setEnabled(false);
            checkinBtn.setEnabled(true);
          }
        }
      }
    };

    //add mouse listener for three lists
    patronsList.addMouseListener(mouseListener);
    bookList.addMouseListener(mouseListener);
    logList.addMouseListener(mouseListener);

    //add mouse listener for two buttons
    checkinBtn.addActionListener(this);
    checkoutBtn.addActionListener(this);

    //instantiate three JPanels
    JPanel libraryPanel = new JPanel(new GridLayout(1, 2));
    JPanel patronsPanel = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
    JPanel bookPanel = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());

    //instantiate library panel's border and scrollpane
    libraryPanel.add(bookPanel, BorderLayout.BEFORE_FIRST_LINE);
    JScrollPane bookJSP = new JScrollPane(bookList);
    patronsPanel.add(bookJSP);

    //instantiate library panel's border and scrollpane
    libraryPanel.add(patronsPanel, BorderLayout.BEFORE_FIRST_LINE);
    JScrollPane patronsJSP = new JScrollPane(patronsList);
    bookPanel.add(patronsJSP);

    //instantiate patrons and book labels and its location
    patronsLabel = new JLabel("Patrons:");
    bookLabel = new JLabel("Available Books:");
    bookPanel.add(patronsLabel, BorderLayout.BEFORE_FIRST_LINE);
    patronsPanel.add(bookLabel, BorderLayout.BEFORE_FIRST_LINE);

    //instantiate check out panel, mode, border and label
    JPanel checkoutlogPanel = new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
    checkoutlogPanel.add(new JScrollPane(logList));
    checkoutlogPanel.add(logLabel, BorderLayout.BEFORE_FIRST_LINE);
    libraryPanel.setBorder(new TitledBorder(new EtchedBorder(), "In-Library"));

    //set library panel
    constraints.weightx = 1000;
    constraints.weighty = 1;
    constraints.fill = GridBagConstraints.BOTH;
    addComponent(libraryPanel, 0, 0, 5, 6);

    //set library panel
    constraints.weightx = 0;
    constraints.weighty = 0;
    constraints.fill = GridBagConstraints.NONE;
    addComponent(checkoutBtn, 5, 2, 1, 1);

    //set check in button
    constraints.weightx = 0;
    constraints.weighty = 0;
    constraints.fill = GridBagConstraints.NONE;
    addComponent(checkinBtn, 5, 3, 1, 1);

    checkoutlogPanel.setBorder(new TitledBorder(new EtchedBorder(),
                                        "Check-out Log"));
    //set check out button
    constraints.weightx = 1000;
    constraints.weighty = 1;
    constraints.fill = GridBagConstraints.BOTH;
    addComponent(checkoutlogPanel, 6, 0, 1, 6);

    //set menu bar, JMenu and file menu
    JMenuBar menuBar = new JMenuBar();
    setJMenuBar(menuBar);
    JMenu fileMenu = new JMenu("File");
    menuBar.add(fileMenu);
    JMenuItem closeW = new JMenuItem("Exit");
    closeW.getMinimumSize() ;
    fileMenu.add(closeW);

    //set action command for exit menu
    closeW.setActionCommand("closeWindow");
    closeW.addActionListener(this) ;
  }
  public void start()
    {
       // applet is loaded so popup frame
       f.show();
    }

    public void stop()
    {
       // applet is unloaded so hide frame
       f.hide();
    }

  /**
   * Reads in image icons from specfied location
   *
   * @return : array of Icon
   */
  private Icon[] getButtonIcons() {
    final String IMG_DIR = "/images/";
    final String[] IMAGE_NAMES = {"CheckOut.gif", "CheckIn.gif"};
    Icon[] icons = new Icon[IMAGE_NAMES.length];

    try {
      for (int i=0; i < IMAGE_NAMES.length; i++) {
        URL imageUrl = getClass().getResource(IMG_DIR + IMAGE_NAMES[i]);
          icons[i] = new ImageIcon(getImage(imageUrl));
        }
     }catch (Exception e) {
        System.out.println(e);
     }
     return icons;
  }

  /**
   * Provides column, row, width and height for GridBagLayout
   * @param : column, row, width and height
   */
  private void addComponent(Component component,
                            int column, int row, int width, int height) {

    // set gridx and gridy
    constraints.gridx = column;
    constraints.gridy = row;

    // set gridwidth and gridheight
    constraints.gridwidth = width;
    constraints.gridheight = height;

    // set constraints and add component
    layout.setConstraints(component, constraints);
    contentPane.add(component, constraints);
  }

  /**
   * Controls check-in and check-out action event
   * For check-out, when one list is selected from each patron list
   * and book list, proceed check-out process
   *
   * For check-in, when one log list is selected, proceed
   *
   * @param : ActionEvent event
   */
  public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event){
    if ("closeWindow".equals(event.getActionCommand())) {
      //System.exit(0) ;
    }

    if((patronsList.getSelectedIndex() != -1)&&(bookList.getSelectedIndex() != -1)){

      //get selected lists
      String patron = patronsList.getSelectedValue().toString();
      String book = bookList.getSelectedValue().toString();
      Object bookName = bookList.getSelectedValue();

      //construnt log entry, insert and remove book
      String log = makeLogEntry(patron, book);
      insertLogEntry(log);
      vecBookAuthor.removeElement(bookName);

      //reset book and patron list disable check out button
      bookList.setListData(vecBookAuthor);
      patronsList.setListData(patronsArr);
      recordVec.add(bookName);
      checkoutBtn.setEnabled(false);
    }

    if(logList.getSelectedIndex() != -1){

      int splitLocation = 0;

      String bookName = "";
      String authorName = "";
      String bookAuthor = "";

      //get selected list from log entry list remove and reset
      String log = logList.getSelectedValue().toString() ;
      Object logObj = logList.getSelectedValue() ;
      vecLog.removeElement(logObj);
      logList.setListData(vecLog);

      //re map book title and author name
      splitLocation = log.indexOf("out");
      bookName = log.substring(0, splitLocation);
      authorName = getAuthorName(bookName);
      bookAuthor = bookName + "by" + authorName;

      //insert book and disable check in button
      insertBook(bookAuthor);
      checkinBtn.setEnabled(false);
    }
 }

 /**
  * Get author name according to book name
  * Book name is passed in
  * Returns author name
  *
  * @param : string book
  * @return : author name
  */
  public String getAuthorName(String book){
     int splitLocation = 0;
     String bookName = null;
     String authorName = null;
     String bookAuthor = null;

     for(int i = 0; i < recordVec.size()  ; i++){
       bookAuthor = recordVec.remove(i).toString() ;
       splitLocation = bookAuthor.indexOf("by");
       bookName = bookAuthor.substring(0, splitLocation);

       if(bookName.equals(book)) {
        authorName = bookAuthor.substring(splitLocation+2);
     }
    }
     return authorName;
  }

  /**
   * Records log entry into log vector alphabetical order
   * Parameter: log entry
   *
   * @param : log entry
   */
  public void insertLogEntry(String logRecord){
    vecLog.add(logRecord);
    sortVector(vecLog);
    logList.setListData(vecLog) ;
  }

  /**
  * Retruns book from log entry and sorts book vector
  * Parameter: book name
  *
  * @param : book
  */
  public void insertBook(String book){
    vecBookAuthor.add(book);
    sortVector(vecBookAuthor);
    bookList.setListData(vecBookAuthor) ;
  }

  /**
   * Sorts book vector and log vector.
   * Vector is passed in as a parameter
   *
   * @param : vector
   */
  public void sortVector(Vector vec){
    Object temp[] = new String[vec.size()];
    for(int n = 0; n < temp.length; n++){
      temp[n]  = vec.elementAt(n) ;
    }
    Arrays.sort(temp);
    vec.removeAllElements();
    for(int i = 0; i < temp.length ; i++){
      vec.add(temp[i].toString() );
    }
  }

  /**
   * Construct log entry for each time when check-out book
   * employee name and book title are passed in
   *
   * @param : patron and book string
   * @return : completed log entry
   */
  public String makeLogEntry(String patron, String book) {
    int splitLocation = 0;
    String bookName = null;
    String patronName = null;
    String logEntry = null;

    StringBuffer buffer = new StringBuffer(gc.get(Calendar.MONTH)+1 +"/"+
                 gc.get(Calendar.DATE )+ "/" +gc.get(Calendar.YEAR));
    String time = buffer.toString() ;

    splitLocation = book.indexOf("by");
    bookName = book.substring(0, splitLocation);

    splitLocation = patron.indexOf("at");
    patronName = patron.substring(0, splitLocation);

    logEntry = bookName + "out by " + patronName +" on "+ time;
    return logEntry;
  }



 /**
  * Read in employee.txt file and returns String array that contain
  * each line of the file
  *
  * @return : string array
  * @throws :IOException (one throws tag for each exception)
  */
  public String[] readEmployeeFile(){
    final int EMPLOYEE_NUM = 6;
    int counter =0;
    String[] name_office = new String[EMPLOYEE_NUM];
    BufferedReader inFile = null;

    try {

     Properties props = new Properties();
     props.load(this.getClass().getResourceAsStream("/config/library.properties"));
     String employeeResource = props.getProperty("employees");
     inFile = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(this.getClass().getResourceAsStream(employeeResource)));

      String line = null;
      String name = null;
      String office = null;
      int splitLocation = 0;

      while((line = inFile.readLine()) != null) {
        splitLocation = line.indexOf('|');
        name = line.substring( 0, splitLocation) ;
        office = line.substring( ++splitLocation) ;
        line = name + " at " + office;
        name_office[counter] = line;
        counter++;
      }
  }catch (IOException e) {
    System.out.println(e);
  }
  return name_office;
}

/**
 * Read in book.txt file and returns Vector that contain each line of the file
 *
 * @return: book vector
 * @throws :IOException (one throws tag for each exception)
 */

  public Vector readBookFile() {
    Vector vector = new Vector();
    BufferedReader inFile = null;
    String line = null;

    try {
      Properties props = new Properties();
      props.load(this.getClass().getResourceAsStream("/config/library.properties"));
      String bookResource = props.getProperty("books");

      inFile = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(this.getClass().getResourceAsStream(bookResource)));
      String book = null;
      String author = null;
      int splitLocation = 0;
      int i = 0;

      while ( (line = inFile.readLine()) != null) {
        splitLocation = line.indexOf('|');
        book = line.substring(0, splitLocation);
        author = line.substring(++splitLocation);
        line = book + " by " + author;
        vector.add(line);
        i++;
      }
    }catch (IOException e) {
    System.out.println(e);
  }
  return vector;
 }


}//end of class

>  f.pack() ;

Move this call to the end of the init() method.

You appear to be adding components to the frame. Are u saying the components are appearing in the applet and not the frame?

You appear to be adding components to the frame. Are u saying the components are appearing in the applet and not the frame?
>>Yes, the components are appearing in the applet. Sorry, if I mislead you...

I can't see anywhere in that code where components are added to the applet. Are u sure thats the code you're running and that you're not running an old cached version.

try quitting all browser windows, and reloading applet.

By moving  f.pack() ; to the end of the init() method, I do see free-floating top-level window on the web browser!!
I just need to move File menu to Frame, addng heading of Library Applet and centering location of buttons.

Thank you so much!!

No worries :)

http://www.objects.com.au