What is the use of the Canvas class?

Could somebody please tell me what is the general function of the Canvas class under the java.awt package? Under what situation do I have to call this class for use? Thanx.

It is generally subclassed and used as an area to paint things on.

:)

The canvas class is pretty fun to play with
even if your not really into graphic
programming. Below is a pretty
simple example that i whipped up. :)

Code:

---


  import java.awt.*;
  import java.awt.event.*;
 
  public class Shape{ 
    public static void main(String[] args){
    new Circle();
  }
 }
  class Circle extends Canvas{

  public Circle(){

  JFrame jf = new JFrame("Circle!");
    jf.addWindowListener(new WindowAdapter(){
      public void windowClosing(WindowEvent e){
          System.exit(0);
      }
    });

    Dimension size = jf.getSize();
    Insets i = jf.getInsets();
    int height = size.height - i.top - i.bottom;
    int width = size.width - i.left - i.right;

    this.setSize(height,width);
    jf.getContentPane().add(this);
    jf.setSize(400,300);
    jf.setVisible(true);
  }
 
  public void paint(Graphics g){
    g.setColor(Color.red);
    g.fillOval(50,50,50,50);
  }
  }

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Thanx buddy, I appreciate the example given.