# Class DefaultFormatter

java.lang.Object
javax.swing.JFormattedTextField.AbstractFormatter
javax.swing.text.DefaultFormatter

All Implemented Interfaces:
  `Serializable`, `Cloneable`

Direct Known Subclasses:
  `InternationalFormatter`, `MaskFormatter`

public class DefaultFormatter extends JFormattedTextField.AbstractFormatter implements Cloneable, Serializable
`DefaultFormatter` formats arbitrary objects. Formatting is done by invoking the `toString` method. In order to convert the value back to a String, your class must provide a constructor that takes a String argument. If no single argument constructor that takes a String is found, the returned value will be the String passed into `stringToValue`.

Instances of `DefaultFormatter` can not be used in multiple instances of `JFormattedTextField`. To obtain a copy of an already configured `DefaultFormatter`, use the `clone` method.

Warning: Serialized objects of this class will not be compatible with future Swing releases. The current serialization support is appropriate for short term storage or RMI between applications running the same version of Swing. As of 1.4, support for long term storage of all JavaBeans has been added to the `java.beans` package. Please see `XMLEncoder`.

Since:
  1.4
See Also:
  - `JFormattedTextField.AbstractFormatter`

- ## Constructor Summary

  Constructors
  Constructor
  Description
  `DefaultFormatter()`
  Creates a DefaultFormatter.

- ## Method Summary

  Modifier and Type
  Method
  Description
  `Object`
  `clone()`
  Creates a copy of the DefaultFormatter.
  `boolean`
  `getAllowsInvalid()`
  Returns whether or not the value being edited is allowed to be invalid for a length of time.
  `boolean`
  `getCommitsOnValidEdit()`
  Returns when edits are published back to the `JFormattedTextField`.
  `protected DocumentFilter`
  `getDocumentFilter()`
  Returns the `DocumentFilter` used to restrict the characters that can be input into the `JFormattedTextField`.
  `protected NavigationFilter`
  `getNavigationFilter()`
  Returns the `NavigationFilter` used to restrict where the cursor can be placed.
  `boolean`
  `getOverwriteMode()`
  Returns the behavior when inserting characters.
  `Class<?>`
  `getValueClass()`
  Returns that class that is used to create new Objects.
  `void`
  `install(JFormattedTextField ftf)`
  Installs the `DefaultFormatter` onto a particular `JFormattedTextField`.
  `void`
  `setAllowsInvalid(boolean allowsInvalid)`
  Sets whether or not the value being edited is allowed to be invalid for a length of time (that is, `stringToValue` throws a `ParseException`).
  `void`
  `setCommitsOnValidEdit(boolean commit)`
  Sets when edits are published back to the `JFormattedTextField`.
  `void`
  `setOverwriteMode(boolean overwriteMode)`
  Configures the behavior when inserting characters.
  `void`
  `setValueClass(Class<?> valueClass)`
  Sets that class that is used to create new Objects.
  `Object`
  `stringToValue(String string)`
  Converts the passed in String into an instance of `getValueClass` by way of the constructor that takes a String argument.
  `String`
  `valueToString(Object value)`
  Converts the passed in Object into a String by way of the `toString` method.

  ### Methods declared in class javax.swing.JFormattedTextField.AbstractFormatter

  `getActions, getFormattedTextField, invalidEdit, setEditValid, uninstall`

  ### Methods declared in class java.lang.Object

  `equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait`

- ## Constructor Details

  - ### DefaultFormatter

    public DefaultFormatter()
    Creates a DefaultFormatter.

- ## Method Details

  - ### install

    public void install(JFormattedTextField ftf)
    Installs the `DefaultFormatter` onto a particular `JFormattedTextField`. This will invoke `valueToString` to convert the current value from the `JFormattedTextField` to a String. This will then install the `Action`s from `getActions`, the `DocumentFilter` returned from `getDocumentFilter` and the `NavigationFilter` returned from `getNavigationFilter` onto the `JFormattedTextField`.

    Subclasses will typically only need to override this if they wish to install additional listeners on the `JFormattedTextField`.

    If there is a `ParseException` in converting the current value to a String, this will set the text to an empty String, and mark the `JFormattedTextField` as being in an invalid state.

    While this is a public method, this is typically only useful for subclassers of `JFormattedTextField`. `JFormattedTextField` will invoke this method at the appropriate times when the value changes, or its internal state changes.

    Overrides:
      `install` in class `JFormattedTextField.AbstractFormatter`
    Parameters:
      `ftf` - JFormattedTextField to format for, may be null indicating uninstall from current JFormattedTextField.

  - ### setCommitsOnValidEdit

    public void setCommitsOnValidEdit(boolean commit)
    Sets when edits are published back to the `JFormattedTextField`. If true, `commitEdit` is invoked after every valid edit (any time the text is edited). On the other hand, if this is false than the `DefaultFormatter` does not publish edits back to the `JFormattedTextField`. As such, the only time the value of the `JFormattedTextField` will change is when `commitEdit` is invoked on `JFormattedTextField`, typically when enter is pressed or focus leaves the `JFormattedTextField`.
    Parameters:
      `commit` - Used to indicate when edits are committed back to the JTextComponent

  - ### getCommitsOnValidEdit

    public boolean getCommitsOnValidEdit()
    Returns when edits are published back to the `JFormattedTextField`.
    Returns:
      true if edits are committed after every valid edit

  - ### setOverwriteMode

    public void setOverwriteMode(boolean overwriteMode)
    Configures the behavior when inserting characters. If `overwriteMode` is true (the default), new characters overwrite existing characters in the model.
    Parameters:
      `overwriteMode` - Indicates if overwrite mode is used

  - ### getOverwriteMode

    public boolean getOverwriteMode()
    Returns the behavior when inserting characters.
    Returns:
      true if newly inserted characters overwrite existing characters

  - ### setAllowsInvalid

    public void setAllowsInvalid(boolean allowsInvalid)
    Sets whether or not the value being edited is allowed to be invalid for a length of time (that is, `stringToValue` throws a `ParseException`). It is often convenient to allow the user to temporarily input an invalid value.
    Parameters:
      `allowsInvalid` - Used to indicate if the edited value must always be valid

  - ### getAllowsInvalid

    public boolean getAllowsInvalid()
    Returns whether or not the value being edited is allowed to be invalid for a length of time.
    Returns:
      false if the edited value must always be valid

  - ### setValueClass

    public void setValueClass(Class<?> valueClass)
    Sets that class that is used to create new Objects. If the passed in class does not have a single argument constructor that takes a String, String values will be used.
    Parameters:
      `valueClass` - Class used to construct return value from stringToValue

  - ### getValueClass

    public Class<?> getValueClass()
    Returns that class that is used to create new Objects.
    Returns:
      Class used to construct return value from stringToValue

  - ### stringToValue

    public Object stringToValue(String string) throws ParseException
    Converts the passed in String into an instance of `getValueClass` by way of the constructor that takes a String argument. If `getValueClass` returns null, the Class of the current value in the `JFormattedTextField` will be used. If this is null, a String will be returned. If the constructor throws an exception, a `ParseException` will be thrown. If there is no single argument String constructor, `string` will be returned.
    Specified by:
      `stringToValue` in class `JFormattedTextField.AbstractFormatter`
    Parameters:
      `string` - String to convert
    Returns:
      Object representation of text
    Throws:
      `ParseException` - if there is an error in the conversion

  - ### valueToString

    public String valueToString(Object value) throws ParseException
    Converts the passed in Object into a String by way of the `toString` method.
    Specified by:
      `valueToString` in class `JFormattedTextField.AbstractFormatter`
    Parameters:
      `value` - Value to convert
    Returns:
      String representation of value
    Throws:
      `ParseException` - if there is an error in the conversion

  - ### getDocumentFilter

    protected DocumentFilter getDocumentFilter()
    Returns the `DocumentFilter` used to restrict the characters that can be input into the `JFormattedTextField`.
    Overrides:
      `getDocumentFilter` in class `JFormattedTextField.AbstractFormatter`
    Returns:
      DocumentFilter to restrict edits

  - ### getNavigationFilter

    protected NavigationFilter getNavigationFilter()
    Returns the `NavigationFilter` used to restrict where the cursor can be placed.
    Overrides:
      `getNavigationFilter` in class `JFormattedTextField.AbstractFormatter`
    Returns:
      NavigationFilter to restrict navigation

  - ### clone

    public Object clone() throws CloneNotSupportedException
    Creates a copy of the DefaultFormatter.
    Overrides:
      `clone` in class `JFormattedTextField.AbstractFormatter`
    Returns:
      copy of the DefaultFormatter
    Throws:
      `CloneNotSupportedException` - if the object's class does not support the `Cloneable` interface. Subclasses that override the `clone` method can also throw this exception to indicate that an instance cannot be cloned.
    See Also:
      - `Cloneable`