Waiting for button click

Question

Hi,
I'm trying to create a program in which the program does nothing until one of the buttons is pressed, then acts accordingly. The way the program works, though, it can't just be by using the ActionPerformed method.
Currently, I have a while() loop that cycles through until one of the buttons is pressed, which kicks it out of the loop and allows that button to be processed. The problem, however, is that when the program is run, the while() loop takes control over the program and doesn't allow any buttons to be clicked, therefore rendering the loop infinite.
Basically what I need is a way for the while() loop to still be running, but at the same time for the buttons to be rendered able to be clicked so that the loop can end.
Is this possible?
Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

You might want to post your code so we can see what's going on. I post my code here a lot. Just remember to post only the relevant parts, but if you feel that it's necessary to post the whole program, always put something like "Warning: long post" in the subject header.
You might want to put your buttons in an array, and for each button, attach an ActionListener to it. Then have an inner ButtonHandler class. Here's how I would do it:
for (i=0; i<buttonArray.length; i++)
  buttonArray.addActionListener(handler);
Then at the end of your code, that is between the end of main and the last closing curly brace, try this:
private class ButtonHandler implements ActionListener
  public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e)
    buttonPressed = e.getActionCommand();
I hope this sheds some light.  I don't know exactly what your code looks like, but hopefully, I'm making a good shot in the dark.  I don't see any need in using a while loop.  Just give this a shot, and if you still have problems, feel free to post your code and let us look at it.  Hope this helps! :-)
Syster Tara