java - Needing help to place swing components correctly -

in order pass college course, need code software java , swing api. have issues place components want :

i want place components in moodpanel: like this

which layout should use moodpanel , best way components in second draw ?

edit : i'm trying apply solution below, have problems : here

public moodpanel(){     super();      this.setbackground(new color(255, 255,0));      this.setlayout(new boxlayout(this,boxlayout.y_axis));      this.choicepanel = new jpanel();     this.choicepanel.setlayout(new gridbaglayout());     this.choicepanel.setbackground(new color(255, 0, 0));     gridbagconstraints c = new gridbagconstraints();     this.statpanel = new jpanel();     this.statpanel.setlayout(new borderlayout());        this.lidtweet= new jlabel();     c.fill = gridbagconstraints.horizontal;     c.gridwidth=3;     c.gridx=0;     c.gridy=0;     c.weightx=0.0;     c.anchor =gridbagconstraints.first_line_start;     this.choicepanel.add(this.lidtweet,c);      this.moodgroup = new buttongroup();      this.jrbad = new jradiobutton("mauvais");     this.jrbad.setactioncommand("0");     this.jrbad.setvisible(false);     c.fill = gridbagconstraints.horizontal;     c.gridx=0;     c.gridy=1;     c.weightx=0.0;     this.choicepanel.add(this.jrbad,c);        this.jrneutral = new jradiobutton("neutre");     this.jrneutral.setactioncommand("2");     c.fill = gridbagconstraints.horizontal;     c.weightx=1.0;     c.insets = new insets(0,70, 0, 0);     this.choicepanel.add(this.jrneutral,c);     this.jrneutral.setvisible(false);         this.jrgood = new jradiobutton("bon");     this.jrgood.setvisible(false);     this.jrgood.setactioncommand("4");     c.fill = gridbagconstraints.horizontal;     c.weightx=0.0;     c.insets = new insets(0,0, 0, 0);     this.choicepanel.add(this.jrgood,c);          this.moodgroup.add(this.jrbad);     this.moodgroup.add(this.jrneutral);     this.moodgroup.add(this.jrgood);        this.buttonpanel = new jpanel();     this.buttonpanel.setlayout(new flowlayout(flowlayout.center));     this.intializinglistener();     this.btnaddtolist = new jbutton("ajouter");     this.btnaddtolist.addactionlistener(okaction);     this.mpclose= new jbutton("fermer");     this.mpclose.addactionlistener(cancelaction);     this.buttonpanel.add(btnaddtolist);     this.buttonpanel.add(mpclose);     this.buttonpanel.setvisible(false);     this.buttonpanel.setsize(new dimension(this.buttonpanel.getpreferredsize().width,this.btnaddtolist.getpreferredsize().height));     this.buttonpanel.setbackground(new color(60, 90, 60));          c.fill = gridbagconstraints.horizontal;     c.gridx=0;     c.gridy=1;     c.weightx=0.0;     c.gridwidth=3;     this.choicepanel.add(buttonpanel,c);     this.add(choicepanel,borderlayout.north);     this.add(statpanel,borderlayout.south); 

when comes designing layouts, need break down each section in needs , responsibilities, while whole layout using gridbaglayout's, it's way on kill.

instead, can use series of compounding layouts, each adding previous layouts doing, example...

if @ main layout, see 2 main areas, more or less...

this screams borderlayout (again gridbaglayout work)

now, start focusing north section

the question needs answered here is, 3 sections equal in height? if are, gridlayout work, if not, i'd leaning towards gridbaglayout

the last 2 sections same...

you need answer question, elements going given same of horizontal space or not? if size equally, can use gridlayout, if not, use either flowlayout or gridbaglayout depending on needs , desires.

try never @ "whole" ui , try , solve in 1 single step, times, want break down areas of functionality, allow separate areas of responsibility in code , generate self contained units of work can base classes on.

see laying out components within container more details.