Question

How do I select multiple buttons in JavaFX?

Answer and Explanation

To select multiple buttons in JavaFX, You can use several approaches depending on Your requirements. Here's a common and effective method using ToggleGroups for exclusive selection, and CheckBoxes for non-exclusive multiple selections:

1. Using ToggleGroup for Exclusive Selection:

- If You want to allow only one button to be selected at a time, use a `ToggleGroup`. This ensures that selecting one button automatically deselects the others.

- Create `RadioButtons` and assign them to the same `ToggleGroup`. This way, only one `RadioButton` can be selected simultaneously.

Example Code using RadioButtons and ToggleGroup:

import javafx.application.Application;
import javafx.scene.Scene;
import javafx.scene.control.RadioButton;
import javafx.scene.control.ToggleGroup;
import javafx.scene.layout.VBox;
import javafx.stage.Stage;
public class RadioButtonExample extends Application {
  @Override
  public void start(Stage primaryStage) {
    VBox root = new VBox();
    ToggleGroup group = new ToggleGroup();
    RadioButton button1 = new RadioButton("Option 1");
    button1.setToggleGroup(group);
    RadioButton button2 = new RadioButton("Option 2");
    button2.setToggleGroup(group);
    RadioButton button3 = new RadioButton("Option 3");
    button3.setToggleGroup(group);
    root.getChildren().addAll(button1, button2, button3);
    Scene scene = new Scene(root, 300, 200);
    primaryStage.setScene(scene);
    primaryStage.setTitle("RadioButton Example");
    primaryStage.show();
  }
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    launch(args);
  }
}

2. Using CheckBoxes for Non-Exclusive Selection:

- If You want to allow multiple buttons to be selected simultaneously, use `CheckBoxes`. Each `CheckBox` can be independently selected or deselected.

- Add `CheckBox` controls to Your layout, and handle their selected state individually.

Example Code using CheckBoxes:

import javafx.application.Application;
import javafx.scene.Scene;
import javafx.scene.control.CheckBox;
import javafx.scene.layout.VBox;
import javafx.stage.Stage;
public class CheckBoxExample extends Application {
  @Override
  public void start(Stage primaryStage) {
    VBox root = new VBox();
    CheckBox checkBox1 = new CheckBox("Option 1");
    CheckBox checkBox2 = new CheckBox("Option 2");
    CheckBox checkBox3 = new CheckBox("Option 3");
    root.getChildren().addAll(checkBox1, checkBox2, checkBox3);
    Scene scene = new Scene(root, 300, 200);
    primaryStage.setScene(scene);
    primaryStage.setTitle("CheckBox Example");
    primaryStage.show();
  }
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    launch(args);
  }
}

3. Handling Selection Logic:

- For `ToggleGroup`, You can listen for changes in the selected toggle to perform actions based on the selected `RadioButton`.

- For `CheckBoxes`, You can listen for changes in the `selectedProperty` of each `CheckBox` to react to selection or deselection.

Example Handling Selection Logic for ToggleGroup:

group.selectedToggleProperty().addListener((observable, oldValue, newValue) -> {
  if (newValue != null) {
    RadioButton selected = (RadioButton) newValue;
    System.out.println("Selected: " + selected.getText());
  }
});

Example Handling Selection Logic for CheckBoxes:

checkBox1.selectedProperty().addListener((observable, oldValue, newValue) -> {
  System.out.println("CheckBox 1 selected: " + newValue);
});

By choosing either `ToggleGroup` for exclusive selection or `CheckBoxes` for multiple selections, You can implement button selection logic that suits Your application's requirements effectively in JavaFX.

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