TextField

TextField in JavaFX. It’s simpler than TextArea but very important for single-line text input.

1️⃣ What is TextField?

• TextField is a single-line input control for text.
• Users can type, edit, copy, paste text.
• Often used for forms, search boxes, or username/password input.

2️⃣ Key Features

1. Single-line input – unlike TextArea.
2. Prompt text – shows a hint inside the field.
3. Editable property – can make it read-only.
4. Max length – can be controlled programmatically.
5. Text property – use getText() / setText().

3️⃣ Simple Java Example

import javafx.application.Application;
import javafx.scene.Scene;
import javafx.scene.control.Button;
import javafx.scene.control.TextField;
import javafx.scene.layout.VBox;
import javafx.stage.Stage;

public class TextFieldExample extends Application {

    @Override
    public void start(Stage primaryStage) {
        TextField textField = new TextField();
        textField.setPromptText("Enter your name"); // placeholder text

        Button btn = new Button("Submit");
        btn.setOnAction(e -> {
            String input = textField.getText();
            System.out.println("You entered: " + input);
        });

        VBox root = new VBox(10, textField, btn);
        root.setStyle("-fx-padding: 20;");

        Scene scene = new Scene(root, 300, 150);
        primaryStage.setScene(scene);
        primaryStage.setTitle("TextField Example");
        primaryStage.show();
    }

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        launch(args);
    }
}

✅ Explanation:

• setPromptText() shows a placeholder hint.
• getText() retrieves what the user typed.
• setText("Default text") sets the initial content.
• Can attach event handlers for buttons or key events.

4️⃣ FXML Example

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.Button?>
<?import javafx.scene.control.TextField?>
<?import javafx.scene.layout.VBox?>

<VBox xmlns="http://javafx.com/javafx/17.0.2" xmlns:fx="http://javafx.com/fxml"
      fx:controller="com.example.TextFieldController"
      spacing="10" style="-fx-padding: 20;">

    <TextField fx:id="textField" promptText="Enter your name"/>
    <Button text="Submit" onAction="#handleSubmit"/>

</VBox>

Controller

package com.example;

import javafx.fxml.FXML;
import javafx.scene.control.TextField;

public class TextFieldController {

    @FXML
    private TextField textField;

    @FXML
    private void handleSubmit() {
        String input = textField.getText();
        System.out.println("You entered: " + input);
    }
}

5️⃣ Notes

• Read-only: textField.setEditable(false);
• Clear text: textField.clear();
• Listen for changes:

textField.textProperty().addListener((obs, oldText, newText) -> {
    System.out.println("Text changed: " + newText);
});

• Perfect for search boxes, login forms, or any single-line input.