What is the Difference Between TextField and TextArea in Java

The main difference between TextField and TextArea in Java is that the TextField is an AWT component that allows entering a single line of text in a GUI application while the TextArea is an AWT component that allows entering multiple lines of text in a GUI application.

Java is a general-purpose, high-level programming language. There are various versions in Java such as Java SE, Java EE and Java ME. Of these, Java SE helps to build general applications while Java EE helps to build enterprise applications. Whereas, Java ME is used for mobile applications. Also, Java provides platform-independency and is robust. In addition, we can use it to build high performance distributed applications. AWT, which stands for Abstract Window Toolkit, is an API to develop window based applications or Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) in Java. Here, TextField and TextaArea are two GUI components available in AWT.  

Key Areas Covered

1. What is TextField
     – Definition, Functionality
2. What is TextArea
     – Definition, Functionality
3. What is the Difference Between TextField and TextArea
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

API, AWT, GUI, Java, TextfField, TextArea

What is TextField in Java

TextField is a component in AWT that allows entering a single line text. Therefore, we can use it to create the TextField object or the component. Refer the below example program.

Figure 1: Java program with TextField

In the above program, f is a Frame object while t1 is a TextField object. Here, we have used setBounds method to place the t1 object in the frame according to the specified position. Then, we have added the component to the frame. Finally, the frame is visible with the TextField component.

What is TextArea in Java

TextArea is a component in AWT that allows entering multiple lines of text. Therefore, we can use it to create the TextArea object or the component. Refer the below example program.

Figure 2: Java program with TextArea

In the above program, f is a Frame object while “area” is a TextArea object. Where, we have used the setBounds method to place the “area” object in the frame according to the specified position. Then, we have added the component to the frame. Finally, the frame is visible with the TextArea component. Here, the user can type multiple lines in the TextArea. If the text area is larger than the viewable area, the scroll bar helps to scroll the text up, down, right and left.

Difference Between TextField and TextArea in Java

Definition

TextField is a control in Java AWT that allows users to edit a single line of text. TextArea is a control in Java AWT that provides multi-line editor area. Hence, this explains the basic difference between TextField and TextArea in Java.

Class Declaration

Moreover, public class TextField extends TextComponent whereas public class TextArea extends TextComponent.

Usage

TextField helps to enter a single line of text. TextArea helps to enter multiple lines of text. Thus, this is a major difference between TextField and TextArea in Java.

Conclusion

In brief, the basic difference between TextField and TextArea in Java is that the TextField is an AWT component that allows entering a single line of text in a GUI application while the TextArea is an AWT component that allows entering multiple lines of text in a GUI application.

Reference:

1. “AWT TextField Class.” Www.tutorialspoint.com, Available here.
2. “AWT TextArea Class.” Www.tutorialspoint.com, Available here.