Need help with a programing assignment in Java! +Rep!

[Graff]

I signed up for a Java class and to be honest I've gotten lost already. Here is the assignment; I do NOT want you to simply do it because I know it would take a real programmer all of two seconds to do. I want you to help EXPLAIN this assignment to me and help me understand so I can be prepared for future assignments and tests. I assume you already have a program to run whatever, but if not here is a link to the one we are using. It's free. [Only registered and activated users can see links]

Now, here is the assignment. I have to make three colored buttons. Each button is a switch that turns the background to a different color. Here is a picture of what pressing some buttons looks like:
[Only registered and activated users can see links]

I've written code to make the shapes and colors right but I need help setting up variables and whatnot. Most likely what I have written is totally wrong in terms of what the finished program should look like, but visually it looks right (size/colors of squares; have not yet made the borders bold.)

This project is due tuesday but I would really like to get some understanding of it today. I have some "hints" given too that I can write up if it will help. Thanks!

boolean MouseInRed;
boolean MouseInGreen;
boolean MouseInBlue;
boolean on = false;
void setup(){
size(500,500);
}

void draw() {
rectMode(CENTER);
fill(0,255,0);
rect(height/2, width/2,100,100);
//rectMode(CENTER);
fill(0,0,255);
rect(height/2+150,width/2,100,100);
//rectMode(CENTER);
fill(255,0,0);
rect(height/2-150,width/2,100,100);
if (MouseInRed){
background(255);
}}

[Zachafer]

Use a MouseListener...


public class HomeworkAssignment implements MouseListener {
public HomeworkAssignment()
{
button1.addMouseListener(this);
button2.addMouseListener(this);
button3.addMouseListener(this);
addMouseListener(this);
//add paint code
}

public void mousePressed(MouseEvent e) {
if(e.getSource() == button1)
{
//change color according to button1
}
}
}

[Graff]

Use a MouseListener...


public class HomeworkAssignment implements MouseListener {
public HomeworkAssignment()
{
button1.addMouseListener(this);
button2.addMouseListener(this);
button3.addMouseListener(this);
addMouseListener(this);
//add paint code
}

public void mousePressed(MouseEvent e) {
if(e.getSource() == button1)
{
//change color according to button1
}
}
}

Thank you for the help but I have no idea what a mouse listener is or how to use one. I am in an introductory class and what I am mainly looking for is a way to make the program recognize that the mouse is being pressed in a certain area (the squares) and to then do something (change border of square and background color) because of this.

---------- Post added at 06:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:05 PM ----------

Here's another attempt, based on modifying a switch example that was given:


boolean switchPressed;
boolean on = false;
int x, y, w, h;

void setup() {
size(500,500);
w = width/5;
h = width/5;
x = width/2;
y = height/2;
rectMode(CENTER);
}

void draw() {
strokeWeight(2);
if(on){
background(0,255,0);
stroke(0);
} else {
background(0);
stroke(255);
}

fill(0,255,0);
rect(y,x,100,100);
}



void mousePressed(){
switchPressed = (x-w/2<mouseX) && (mouseX<x+w/2)
&& (y-h/2<mouseY) && (mouseY<y+h/2);

if(switchPressed) on = !on;
}

I understand the boolean switchPressed being set to false and then to on when the mouse is pressed in the area given by the last part. What I don't understand is how to set up THREE squares to do this because of the single variable switchPressed. In addition, I'm a bit stumped on making the grey borders.

[Zachafer]

Rectangle button1Area = new Rectangle(x, y, width, height);
//Rectangle button2Area = ...;
int getButtonPressed()
{
if(button1Area.contains(mouseX, mouseY))
return 1;
else if(button2Area.contains(mouseX,mouseY))
return 2;
else if(button3Area.contains(mouseX,mouseY))
return 3;
else
return 0;
}

/*
int buttonPressed = getButtonPressed();
on = buttonPressed > 0;*/