
Java™ Platform
Standard Ed. 9

DRAFT 9-internal+0-adhoc.mlchung.jdk9-jdeps
Module java.desktop

Package java.awt.dnd

Drag and Drop is a direct manipulation gesture found in many Graphical User Interface systems that provides a mechanism to transfer information between two entities logically associated with presentation elements in the GUI. Normally driven by a physical gesture of a human user using an appropriate input device, Drag and Drop provides both a mechanism to enable continuous feedback regarding the possible outcome of any subsequent data transfer to the user during navigation over the presentation elements in the GUI, and the facilities to provide for any subsequent data negotiation and transfer.

This package defines the classes and interfaces necessary to perform Drag and Drop operations in Java. It defines classes for the drag-source and the drop-target, as well as events for transferring the data being dragged. This package also provides a means for giving visual feedback to the user throughout the duration of the Drag and Drop operation.

A typical Drag and Drop operation can be decomposed into the following states (not entirely sequentially):

The gesture itself moves a logical cursor across the GUI hierarchy, intersecting the geometry of GUI Component(s), possibly resulting in the logical "Drag" cursor entering, crossing, and subsequently leaving Component(s) and associated DropTarget(s).

The DragSource object manifests "Drag Over" feedback to the user, in the typical case by animating the GUI Cursor associated with the logical cursor.

DropTarget objects manifest "Drag Under" feedback to the user, in the typical case, by rendering animations into their associated GUI Component(s) under the GUI Cursor.

The determination of the feedback effects, and the ultimate success or failure of the data transfer, should one occur, is parameterized as follows:

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Java™ Platform
Standard Ed. 9

DRAFT 9-internal+0-adhoc.mlchung.jdk9-jdeps

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DRAFT 9-internal+0-adhoc.mlchung.jdk9-jdeps