Name: ssT124754 Date: 03/06/2001


java version "1.3.0"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.3.0-C)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.3.0-C, mixed mode)

Please add a ready-to-use component (JDirectoryChooser) that allows browsing
and selecting a directory in a tree view structure of the current directory
hierarchy (aka the explorer tab in Windows's explorer or in KDE's Konqueror).

That whould allow a easier selection of a directory only than by using the
JFileChooser since we do not need create a file filter as parameter.

here I can see 3 main profits or creating such a component as a stand-alone
dialog or/and as a re-usable panel (which can be included within a dialog):

- The most obvious is ability to build an "explorer" style browser which
displays the directory structure on the left and a view of the content of
the currently selected directory on the right side.
No, no, I'm not asking for and explorer browser within Swing... :), I might
do this myself.

- Some application requires the user to set an input/output/temp directory
in configuration. Installers application requires to select target directory
as well.
Feedback from users (note: mainly Windows* application users) shown me that
JFileChooser was definitely not really targeted nor enough ergonomic for
such a task as you can not really see the whole directory structure and as
you can easily get lost in directories. The file filter and filename can
also seem "weird" to the user.

- JFileChooser is dialog-based and can't be included within a two-view panel
(in case one might want to create an explorer browser) or in other
components.

* Such a dialog/directory tree view exists in some Windows application:
Explorer, Install shield (and other installer software**), Paint Shop Pro***
and in some different form in Visual Studio**** ... But I do not know if its
a custom build component or a standard COM/ActiveX component.
(Review ID: 118165)
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