Error adding array to jComboBox

Hi

I am trying to add an an array to a jComboBox but I cannot get the combo box list to display, the first value is displayed in the top field and the drop down does not open.

The array is an array of objects, I am trying to load a specific field from the objects in the array.

The code I am using is as follows:

roundsStockObj //an array of objects, I want to use the .getDescription() field from each object and load to the combobox, this field is a string of the product description.

DefaultComboBoxModel model = (DefaultComboBoxModel)main.roundStockPanel.cmbRoundStockList.getModel();

for (int d = 0; d < roundsStockObjData.length; d++) {

model.addElement(new Object[]{roundsStockObj[d].getDescription()});

}

The array is there, I can see the values if I test in a text box and iterate through. But when I run the above I get a value in the top field as follows:

{Ljava.lang.Object;@92a4dd

So in summary, I think I have two issues here, firstly the combo box is not being populated with the correct data, and secondly the drop down does not work, only one value is displayed (albeit incorrect) and the drop down function to display the list doesnt work...

Any help you can give would be hugley appreciated as I am completely stuck until I resolve this.

Thanks

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LVL 47

for_yanCommented: 2011-03-05

It looks like you are adding an array as each element of the model, that's why you see the toString() method of the whole array displayed. You should add individual objects to each element - not arrays

You probabky used [] brackets instead of () parentheses after new Object - please check

BinaryFlusherAuthor Commented: 2011-03-05

Hi for_yan

I have amended the code as follows, to create an arrray of objects that I then pass the individual value to the combox inside the for loop.

Object[] items = new Object[roundStockObj.length];
for (int d = 0; d < roundsData.length; d++) {
items[d] = roundStockObj[d].getDescription();
model.addElement(items[d]);

}

This seems to be a bit closer, I now get a proper value in the top field for the combo box, however this valiue is the first in the array and I still cannot get the drop down to open or diosplay the other values...

Any ideas?

This is really strange. Could it happen that you have only one roundStock object? If it added one - why should not it add more of them?
Put a printout of item descriptions before you are adding them.

If I don't need anything sophisticted, I usually just use JComboBox(Vector) constructor - don't even need to think much about models

If the combo box is already instantiated, how best can I add the array to the combo box, as in not using the constructor?

LVL 87

CEHJCommented: 2011-03-05

You can simplify that code to the below: you're only adding the description string as the element at the moment anyway

for (int d = 0; d < roundsData.length; d++) {
            model.addElement(roundStockObj[d].getDescription());
        }

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Just for your info, I tested with text boxes and the data was being populated correctly, as I expected.

After experimenting woth some of the component properties, I found that uncheking the "lightWeightPopup" value, so changing to a heavyweight popup the display now works as expected.

Very strange and very frustrating...

Thanks for your help though.

>>If the combo box is already instantiated, how best can I add the array to the combo box, as in not using the constructor?

Just create a new model and use the code i just posted above

LVL 92

Mick BarryJava DeveloperCommented: 2011-03-05

thats a poor solution, you have no way of knowing which objects are in your list
you should instead use a custom renderer

> model.addElement(roundStockObj[d].getDescription());

And thats also just copying what for_yan had already suggested, so you should have accepted his comment.

for_yan> You should add individual objects to each element - not arrays

Error adding array to jComboBox

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