Chapter 13: Problem 10

What is a mnemonic? How do you assign a mnemonic to a component?

Short Answer

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Answer: A mnemonic is a memory aid used to create shortcuts for menu items, buttons, or other components in a user interface, allowing users to access functions more efficiently using the keyboard. To assign a mnemonic to a component, choose a letter that represents the action or label of the component, then use the "accesskey" attribute in HTML or the "setMnemonic()" method in Java Swing to assign the chosen letter to the component. Users can activate the component by pressing the "Alt" key (or a platform-specific key) and the chosen mnemonic key simultaneously.

Step by step solution

Understanding Mnemonics

A mnemonic is a memory aid, often used in the form of an abbreviation, phrase, or visual representation, to help remember complex information or concepts. In computer programming and user interfaces, mnemonics are used to create shortcuts for menu items, buttons, or other components, allowing users to access functions more efficiently using the keyboard.

Choosing a Mnemonic for a Component

When assigning a mnemonic to a component, choose a letter that represents the action or label of the component. For example, if you have a "Save" button, you can choose the letter "S" as the mnemonic. The chosen mnemonic should be easy to remember and preferably unique among other mnemonics in the user interface to avoid confusion.

Assigning a Mnemonic in HTML

If you are using HTML to create your user interface, you can use the "accesskey" attribute to assign a mnemonic to an element. For example, if you have a "Save" button with an ID of "saveButton", you can use the following code to add the mnemonic: ```html ``` With this code, the "Save" button will be activated when the user presses the "Alt" key (or a platform-specific key) and the "S" key simultaneously.

Assigning a Mnemonic in Java Swing (For Java Applications)

If you are creating a Java application with a graphical user interface using the Swing library, you can assign mnemonics to components by using the "setMnemonic()" method. For example, if you have a "Save" JButton, you can assign the mnemonic "S" as follows: ```java JButton saveButton = new JButton("Save"); saveButton.setMnemonic('S'); ``` In this example, the "Save" button will be activated when the user presses the "Alt" key (or a platform-specific key) and the "S" key simultaneously. By following these steps, you can assign mnemonic shortcuts to components in your user interface, allowing users to interact more efficiently with your application.

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What is a mnemonic? How do you assign a mnemonic to a component?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Mnemonics

Choosing a Mnemonic for a Component

Assigning a Mnemonic in HTML

Assigning a Mnemonic in Java Swing (For Java Applications)

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