A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
Is this vertical or horizontal ? the javadoc said both !

All getter and setter for Alignment are concerned

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
   /**
     * Sets the the horizontal alignment.
     *
     * @param alignmentX the new horizontal alignment
     * @see #getAlignmentX
     * @beaninfo
     * description: The preferred horizontal alignment of the component.
     */
ACTUAL -
    /**
     * Sets the the vertical alignment.
     *
     * @param alignmentX the new vertical alignment
     * @see #getAlignmentX
     * @beaninfo
     * description: The preferred horizontal alignment of the component.
     */

URL OF FAULTY DOCUMENTATION :
http://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/javax/swing/JComponent.html#getAlignmentX()