Warning this is very long code but i need help to see if I am on right trac

Question

I have done all the following code myself and it is the buisiness layer for my application. I have tried to follow recommendations on previous posts and I would like to be told where I can clean up my code and how? This is not complete and it looks very long to me but I need help in order to be better. There are 4 button vlivks and I have not completed them all. The criteria for application is that phonebook will accept new entries if they have names surnames and phone numbers that are not longer than 10 characters for display purposes but can change this. No duplicates are allowed. No editing of a existing entry must lead to a duplicate entry either. No new entry or edit may result in a new contact having no phone numbers.
Many thanks for your time in advance,.....
import javax.swing.JOptionPane;
import java.util.ArrayList;
public class Contact
{// Start of the Contact class
     ArrayList<ContactDetails> phoneList = new ArrayList<ContactDetails>();          // To hold all the contacts
     ArrayList<ContactDetails> searchList = new ArrayList<ContactDetails>();          // To hold all contacts that return true on search
     ArrayList<ContactDetails> list = new ArrayList<ContactDetails>();
     String newName;                                                                                // To hold the new name
     String newSurname;                                                                           // to hold the new surname
     String newHome;                                                                                // To hold the new home number if any
     String newWork;                                                                                // To hold the new work number
     String newCell;                                                                                // To hold the new cell number
     final int MAX_LENGTH = 10;
     public boolean addToPhoneList;                                                            // Sets to false if there is an invalid entry
     public boolean addToSearchList;                                                            // Sets to false if there is an invlid search
     public boolean modifyContact;                                                            // Sets to false if there is an invalid modification
     // Method to create a new contact
     public void createNew()
     {// Start of create new()
          addToPhoneList = true;                                                                 // Set boolean to true each time the method is executed
          getNewContactsName();                                                                 // Get new name
          if(addToPhoneList == false)
               createNew();
               return;
          getNewContactsSurname();                                                            //Get new surname
          if(addToPhoneList == false)
               createNew();
               return;
          String checkName = newName;                                                            //Creates copies to be used in the checkIfDuplicate method
          String checkSurname = newSurname;
          addToPhoneList = checkIfDuplicate(checkName, checkSurname);                    //Check if the entries are duplicate
          if(addToPhoneList == false)
               createNew();
               return;
          getNewContactsHomeNum();                                                            // Get new home number
          if(addToPhoneList == false)
               createNew();
               return;
          getNewContactsWorkNum();                                                            // Get new work number
          if(addToPhoneList == false)
               createNew();
               return;
          getNewContactsCellNum();                                                            // Get new cell number
          if(addToPhoneList == false)
               createNew();
               return;
          checkAtLeastOneNumEntered();                                                       // Check that at least one phone number was entered
          if(addToPhoneList == true)
               updateListWithNew();
     }// End of createNew()
     // Method to search for an existing contact
     public void searchExisting()
     {// Start of searchExisting()
          addToSearchList = true;                                                                 // Set the boolean true
          searchList.clear();                                                                      // Clear list from any previous searches
          if(phoneList.size() > 0)                                                            // Check if any contacts are in the list
               getExistingDetailsAndSearch();                                                  // If there are entries then continue to search
          else
               JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"There are no contacts to search for. Please use this option when you have added a contact to the list.","Error",JOptionPane.ERROR_MESSAGE);
     }// End of searchExisting()
     // Method to modify an existing contact
     public void modifyExisting()
     {// Start of modifyExisting()
          modifyContact = true;                                                                 // Set the boolean to true
          if(phoneList.size() <= 0)                                                            // Check if the phonelist is not empty
               JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"There are no contacts to modify. Please use this option when there have been contacts added to the list.","Error",JOptionPane.ERROR_MESSAGE);
          else
               getExistingDetailsAndModify();                                                  // If phonelist not emty continue to modify method
     }// End of modifyExisting()
     //Method to delete a contact from the list
     public void deleteExisting()
     //Method to get new contacts name
     public void getNewContactsName()
          newName = JOptionPane.showInputDialog("Please enter the new contacts name or press cancel to exit without saving.");
          if(newName == null)
               finish();
          if(newName.trim().length()<=0)
               JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"You have not entered a name. Please try again.","Error",JOptionPane.ERROR_MESSAGE);
               addToPhoneList = false;
               return;
          addToPhoneList = checkLengthValid(newName, "name");
     //Method to get a new contacts surname
     public void getNewContactsSurname()
          newSurname = JOptionPane.showInputDialog("Please enter the new contacts surnname or press cancel to exit without saving.");
          if(newSurname == null)
               finish();
          addToPhoneList = checkLengthValid(newSurname, "surname");
     //Method to get a new contacts home number
     public void getNewContactsHomeNum()
          newHome = JOptionPane.showInputDialog("Please enter the new contacts home number or press cancel to exit without saving.");
          if(newHome == null)
               finish();
          if(newHome.trim().length() > 0)
               try
                    Long homeNum = Long.parseLong(newHome);
               catch(Exception e)
                    JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"You may only use numbers for a valid phone number. Please try again.","Error",JOptionPane.ERROR_MESSAGE);
                    addToPhoneList = false;
                    return;
          addToPhoneList = checkLengthValid(newHome, "home number");
     //Method to get a new contacst work number
     public void getNewContactsWorkNum()
          newWork = JOptionPane.showInputDialog("Please enter the new contacts work number or press cancel to exit without saving");
          if(newWork == null)
               finish();
          if(newWork.trim().length()> 0)
               try
                    Long workNum = Long.parseLong(newWork);
               catch(Exception e)
                    JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"You may only use numbers for a valid number. Please try again.","Error",JOptionPane.ERROR_MESSAGE);
                    addToPhoneList = false;
                    return;
          addToPhoneList = checkLengthValid(newWork, "work number");
     //Method to get a new contacts cell number
     public void getNewContactsCellNum()
          newCell = JOptionPane.showInputDialog("Please enter the new contacts cell number or press cancel to exit without saving");
          if(newCell == null)
               finish();
          if(newCell.trim().length() > 0)
               try
                    Long cellNum = Long.parseLong(newCell);
               catch(Exception e)
                    JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"You may only use numbers for a valid number. Please try again.","Error",JOptionPane.ERROR_MESSAGE);
                    addToPhoneList = false;
                    return;
          addToPhoneList = checkLengthValid(newCell, "cell number");
     //Method to get the details for an existing contact
     public void getExistingDetailsAndSearch()
          String existingName = getExistingName("search for");
          if(existingName == null)
               addToSearchList = false;
               return;
          if(existingName.length()<=0)
               JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"You have not entered a name please try again","Error",JOptionPane.ERROR_MESSAGE);
               addToSearchList = false;
               searchExisting();
          String existingSurname = getExistingSurname();
               if(existingSurname == null)
                    return;
          if(addToSearchList == true)
               searchAndAddIfFound(existingName, existingSurname);
     //Method to get existing details and modify contact
     public void getExistingDetailsAndModify()
          String existingName = getExistingName("modify");
          if(existingName == null)
               modifyContact = false;
               return;
          if(existingName.length()<=0)
               JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"You have not entered a name please try again","Error",JOptionPane.ERROR_MESSAGE);
               modifyContact = false;
               modifyExisting();
          String existingSurname = getExistingSurname();
               if(existingSurname == null)
                    return;
          if(modifyContact == true)
               getContactBySearch(existingName.trim().toUpperCase(), existingSurname.trim().toUpperCase());
     //Method to get the contact from list and modify details
     public void getContactBySearch(String currentName, String currentSurname)
          int count = 0;
          int numFound = 0;
          for(ContactDetails cd: phoneList)
               cd = phoneList.get(count);
               if((cd.name.equals(currentName))&&(cd.surname.equals(currentSurname)))
                    numFound ++;
                    changeDetails(cd);
               count ++;
          if(numFound <= 0)
               JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"No contacts matching the name and surname you entered found. Press the modify button to try again.","Information",JOptionPane.INFORMATION_MESSAGE);
     //Method to get existing contacts name
     public String getExistingName(String whatWasClicked)
          String name = JOptionPane.showInputDialog("Please enter the contacts name that you wish to "+whatWasClicked);
          return name;
     //Method to get an existing contacts surname
     public String getExistingSurname()
          String surname = JOptionPane.showInputDialog("Please enter the contacts surname.");
          return surname;
     //Method to change the details of contact
     public void changeDetails(ContactDetails conToChange)
          String currentName = conToChange.name;
          String currentSurname = conToChange.surname;
          String currentHome = conToChange.home;
          String currentWork = conToChange.work;
          String currentCell = conToChange.cell;
          String newNameForContact = getNewModName(currentName);
          if(modifyContact == false)
               modifyExisting();
               return;
          String newSurnameForContact = getNewModSurname(currentSurname);
          if(modifyContact == false)
               modifyExisting();
               return;
          String newHomeForContact = getNewModHome(currentHome);
          if(modifyContact == false)
               modifyExisting();
               return;
          String newWorkForContact = getNewModWork(currentWork);
          if(modifyContact == false)
               modifyExisting();
               return;
          String newCellForContact = getNewModCell(currentCell);
          if(modifyContact == false)
               modifyExisting();
               return;
          if(modifyContact == true)
               conToChange.name = newNameForContact;
     //Method to get the modified name
     public String getNewModName(String currentName)
          String newModifiedName = JOptionPane.showInputDialog("Please enter the new name for contact or press cancel to keep it as is.");
          if(newModifiedName == null)
               return currentName;
          if(newModifiedName.trim().length() <= 0)
               JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"You may not replace the existing name with a blank name. Please try again.","Error",JOptionPane.ERROR_MESSAGE);
               modifyContact = false;
               return currentName;
          modifyContact = checkLengthValid(newModifiedName, "modified name");
          return newModifiedName;
     //Method to get the modified surname
     public String getNewModSurname(String currentSurname)
          String newModifiedSurname = JOptionPane.showInputDialog("Please enter the new surname for the contact or press cancel to keep it as is.");
          if(newModifiedSurname == null)
               return currentSurname;
          modifyContact = checkLengthValid(newModifiedSurname, "modified surname");
          if(modifyContact == false)
               JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"Surname not changed.","Information",JOptionPane.INFORMATION_MESSAGE);
               return currentSurname;
          modifyContact = checkLengthValid(newModifiedSurname, "modified surname");
          return newModifiedSurname;
     //Method to search and update the list with a succesfull search
     private void searchAndAddIfFound(String name, String surname)
          int count = 0;
          int numFound = 0;
          for(ContactDetails cd: phoneList)
               cd = phoneList.get(count);
               if(cd.name.equals(name.trim().toUpperCase()))
                    numFound ++;
                    searchList.add(cd);
               count ++;
          if(numFound <= 0)
               JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"No contacts were found matching the dat you entered.","Information",JOptionPane.INFORMATION_MESSAGE);
          else
               list.clear();
               list.addAll(searchList);
     //Method that check all entries are a valid logical length
     //Method is based on assumption that a normal name, surname, and phone numbers are not longer than 10 characters long.
     //IF This method is changed please change the layout in the GUI as this is also set to fit with the layout that gives a neat //apperance
     private boolean checkLengthValid(String detailEntered, String whatWasEntered)
          boolean validLength = true;
          if(detailEntered.trim().length() >= MAX_LENGTH)
               JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"The " +whatWasEntered+" you entered is too long. Please try again and use a "+whatWasEntered+" that is less than "+MAX_LENGTH+" characters long.","Error",JOptionPane.ERROR_MESSAGE);
               validLength = false;
          return validLength;
     private void finish()
          System.exit(0);
     //Method to update the list with a new entry
     private void updateListWithNew()
          try
               ContactDetails cd = new ContactDetails();
               cd.name = newName.trim().toUpperCase();
               cd.surname = newSurname.trim().toUpperCase();
               cd.home = newHome.trim();
               cd.work = newWork.trim();
               cd.cell = newCell.trim();
               phoneList.add(cd);
               JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"Contact succesfully entered. To save this change press exit to save or use the save option in the toolbar menu.","Information",JOptionPane.INFORMATION_MESSAGE);
          catch(Exception e)
               JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"Failed to add contact to list. If problem persists please contact the software developer.","Error",JOptionPane.ERROR_MESSAGE);
          list.clear();
          list.addAll(phoneList);
     //Method to check for duplicate
     public boolean  checkIfDuplicate(String nameToCheck, String surnameToCheck)
          int count = 0;
          boolean valid = true;
          for(ContactDetails cd : phoneList)
               cd = phoneList.get(count);
               if(((nameToCheck.trim().toUpperCase()).equals(cd.name))&&((surnameToCheck.trim().toUpperCase()).equals(cd.surname)))
                    JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"You may not enter a duplicate contact. Please try again and change the name and surname.","Error",JOptionPane.ERROR_MESSAGE);
                    valid = false;
                    break;
               count ++;
          return valid;
     //Method to check that at least one phone number exists for contact
     public void checkAtLeastOneNumEntered()
          if((newHome.trim().length()<=0)&&(newWork.trim().length()<=0)&&(newCell.trim().length()<=0))
               JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"You have not entered any phone number at all. You must enter at least one phone number for a new contact.","Error",JOptionPane.ERROR_MESSAGE);
               addToPhoneList = false;
     //Method that returns the list to the GUI
     public ArrayList<ContactDetails> getList()
          return list;
}

Answer 1

Should I start over from scratch? Can I get help with links to tutorials on following? How to create a java CRUD application (google not useful) and how to layer in java(google not useful)
This is my pres layer as is is this wrong too?
     Filename:     ContactsListInterface.java
     Date:           16 March 2008
     Programmer:     Yucca Nel
     Purpose:     Provides a GUI for entering names and contact numbers into a telephone directory.
                    Also allows options for searching for a specific name and deleting of data from the record
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;
import javax.swing.text.*;
import java.io.*;
import java.util.*;
import java.text.*;
public class Phonebook1 extends JFrame implements ActionListener
{ //start of class
     // construct fields, buttons, labels,text boxes, ArrayLists etc
     JTextPane displayPane = new JTextPane();
     JLabel listOfContacts = new JLabel("List Of Contacts");               // creates a label for the scrollpane
     JButton createButton = new JButton("Create");
     JButton searchButton = new JButton("Search");
     JButton modifyButton = new JButton("Modify");
     JButton deleteButton = new JButton("Delete");
     Contact c = new Contact();
     ArrayList<ContactDetails> contactList = c.getList();
     // create an instance of the ContactsListInterface
     public Phonebook1()
     { // start of cli()
          super("Phonebook Interface");
     } // end of cli()
     public JMenuBar createMenuBar()
     { // start of the createMenuBar()
          // construct and populate a menu bar
          JMenuBar mnuBar = new JMenuBar();                              // creates a menu bar
          setJMenuBar(mnuBar);
          JMenu mnuFile = new JMenu("File",true);                         // creates a file menu in the menu bar which is visible
               mnuFile.setMnemonic(KeyEvent.VK_F);
               mnuFile.setDisplayedMnemonicIndex(0);
               mnuFile.setToolTipText("File Options");
               mnuBar.add(mnuFile);
          JMenuItem mnuFileExit = new JMenuItem("Save And Exit");     // creates an exit option in the file menu
               mnuFileExit.setMnemonic(KeyEvent.VK_X);
               mnuFileExit.setDisplayedMnemonicIndex(1);
               mnuFileExit.setToolTipText("Close Application");
               mnuFile.add(mnuFileExit);
               mnuFileExit.setActionCommand("Exit");
               mnuFileExit.addActionListener(this);
          JMenu mnuEdit = new JMenu("Edit",true);                         // creates a menu for editing options
               mnuEdit.setMnemonic(KeyEvent.VK_E);
               mnuEdit.setDisplayedMnemonicIndex(0);
               mnuEdit.setToolTipText("Edit Options");
               mnuBar.add(mnuEdit);
          JMenu mnuEditSort = new JMenu("Sort",true);                    // creates an option for sorting entries
               mnuEditSort.setMnemonic(KeyEvent.VK_S);
               mnuEditSort.setDisplayedMnemonicIndex(0);
               mnuEdit.add(mnuEditSort);
          JMenuItem mnuEditSortByName = new JMenuItem("Sort By Name");          // to sort entries by name
               mnuEditSortByName.setMnemonic(KeyEvent.VK_N);
               mnuEditSortByName.setDisplayedMnemonicIndex(8);
               mnuEditSortByName.setToolTipText("Sort entries by first name");
               mnuEditSortByName.setActionCommand("Name");
               mnuEditSortByName.addActionListener(this);
               mnuEditSort.add(mnuEditSortByName);
          JMenuItem mnuEditSortBySurname = new JMenuItem("Sort By Surname");     // to sort entries by surname
               mnuEditSortBySurname.setMnemonic(KeyEvent.VK_R);
               mnuEditSortBySurname.setDisplayedMnemonicIndex(10);
               mnuEditSortBySurname.setToolTipText("Sort entries by surname");
               mnuEditSortBySurname.setActionCommand("Surname");
               mnuEditSortBySurname.addActionListener(this);
               mnuEditSort.add(mnuEditSortBySurname);
          JMenu mnuHelp = new JMenu("Help",true);                                        // creates a menu for help options
               mnuHelp.setMnemonic(KeyEvent.VK_H);
               mnuHelp.setDisplayedMnemonicIndex(0);
               mnuHelp.setToolTipText("Help options");
               mnuBar.add(mnuHelp);
          JMenuItem mnuHelpHelp = new JMenuItem("Help");                              // creates a help option for help topic
               mnuHelpHelp.setMnemonic(KeyEvent.VK_P);
               mnuHelpHelp.setDisplayedMnemonicIndex(3);
               mnuHelpHelp.setToolTipText("Help Topic");
               mnuHelpHelp.setActionCommand("Help");
               mnuHelpHelp.addActionListener(this);
               mnuHelp.add(mnuHelpHelp);
          JMenuItem mnuHelpAbout = new JMenuItem("About");                         // creates a about option for info about api
               mnuHelpAbout.setMnemonic(KeyEvent.VK_T);
               mnuHelpAbout.setDisplayedMnemonicIndex(4);
               mnuHelpAbout.setToolTipText("About this program");
               mnuHelpAbout.setActionCommand("About");
               mnuHelpAbout.addActionListener(this);
               mnuHelp.add(mnuHelpAbout);
          return mnuBar;
     } // end of the createMenuBar()
     // create the content pane
     public Container createContentPane()
     { // start of createContentPane()
          //construct and populate panels and content pane
          JPanel labelPanel = new JPanel(); // panel is only used to put the label for the textpane in
               labelPanel.setLayout(new FlowLayout());
               labelPanel.add(listOfContacts);
          JPanel displayPanel = new JPanel();// panel is used to display all the contacts and thier numbers
               setTabsAndStyles(displayPane);
               displayPane = addTextToTextPane();
               displayPane.setEditable(false);
          JScrollPane scrollPane = new JScrollPane(displayPane);
               scrollPane.setVerticalScrollBarPolicy(JScrollPane.VERTICAL_SCROLLBAR_ALWAYS); // pane is scrollable vertically
               scrollPane.setWheelScrollingEnabled(true);// pane is scrollable by use of the mouse wheel
               scrollPane.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(400,320));
          displayPanel.add(scrollPane);
          JPanel workPanel = new JPanel();// panel is used to enter, edit and delete data
               workPanel.setLayout(new FlowLayout());
               workPanel.add(createButton);
                    createButton.setToolTipText("Create a new entry");
                    createButton.addActionListener(this);
               workPanel.add(searchButton);
                    searchButton.setToolTipText("Search for an entry by name number or surname");
                    searchButton.addActionListener(this);
               workPanel.add(modifyButton);
                    modifyButton.setToolTipText("Modify an existing entry");
                    modifyButton.addActionListener(this);
               workPanel.add(deleteButton);
                    deleteButton.setToolTipText("Delete an existing entry");
                    deleteButton.addActionListener(this);
          labelPanel.setBackground(Color.red);
          displayPanel.setBackground(Color.red);
          workPanel.setBackground(Color.red);
          // create container and set attributes
          Container c = getContentPane();
               c.setLayout(new BorderLayout(30,30));
               c.add(labelPanel,BorderLayout.NORTH);
               c.add(displayPanel,BorderLayout.CENTER);
               c.add(workPanel,BorderLayout.SOUTH);
               c.setBackground(Color.red);
          // add a listener for the window closing and save
          addWindowListener(
               new WindowAdapter()
                    public void windowClosing(WindowEvent e)
                         int answer = JOptionPane.showConfirmDialog(null,"Are you sure you would like to save all changes and exit?","File submission",JOptionPane.YES_NO_OPTION);
                         if(answer == JOptionPane.YES_OPTION)
                              System.exit(0);
          return c;
     } // end of createContentPane()
     protected void setTabsAndStyles(JTextPane displayPane)
     { // Start of setTabsAndStyles()
          // set Font style
          Style fontStyle = StyleContext.getDefaultStyleContext().getStyle(StyleContext.DEFAULT_STYLE);
          Style regular = displayPane.addStyle("regular", fontStyle);
          StyleConstants.setFontFamily(fontStyle, "SansSerif");
          Style s = displayPane.addStyle("bold", regular);
          StyleConstants.setBold(s,true);
     } // End of setTabsAndStyles()
     public JTextPane addTextToTextPane()
     { // start of addTextToTextPane()
          int numberOfEntries = contactList.size();
          int count = 0;
          Document doc = displayPane.getDocument();
          try
          { // start of tryblock
               // clear previous text
               doc.remove(0,doc.getLength());
               // insert titles of columns
               doc.insertString(0,"NAME\tSURNAME\tHOME NO\tWORK NO\tCELL NO\n",displayPane.getStyle("bold"));
               for(ContactDetails cd : contactList)
                    cd = contactList.get(count);
                    doc.insertString(doc.getLength(),cd.name+"\t"+cd.surname+"\t"+cd.home+"\t"+cd.work+"\t"+cd.cell+"\n",displayPane.getStyle("regular"));
                    count ++;
          } // end of try block
          catch(BadLocationException ble)
          { // start of ble exception handler
               System.err.println("Could not insert text.");
          } // end of ble exception handler
          return displayPane;
     } // end of addTextToTextPane()
     // code to process user clicks
     public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent e)
     { // start of actionPerformed()
          String arg = e.getActionCommand();
          // user clicks create button
          if(arg.equals("Create"))
               c.createNew();                                                  // method to create a new Contact
               addTextToTextPane();
          if(arg.equals("Search"))
               c.searchExisting();                                             // method to search for an existing entry
               addTextToTextPane();
          if(arg.equals("Modify"))
               c.modifyExisting();                                             // method to modify contact
               addTextToTextPane();
          if(arg.equals("Delete"))
               c.deleteExisting();
               addTextToTextPane();
          if(arg.equals("Exit"))
     } // end of actionPerformed()
     // method to create a new contact
     public static void main(String[] args)
     { // start of main()
          // Set look and feel of interface
          try
          { // start of try block
               UIManager.setLookAndFeel("com.sun.java.swing.plaf.windows.WindowsLookAndFeel");
          } // end of try block
          catch(Exception e)
          { // start of catch block
               JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null,"There was an error in setting the look and feel of this application","Error",JOptionPane.INFORMATION_MESSAGE);
          } // end  of catch block
          Phonebook1 pb = new Phonebook1();
          pb.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.DO_NOTHING_ON_CLOSE);
          pb.setJMenuBar(pb.createMenuBar());
          pb.setContentPane(pb.createContentPane());
          pb.setSize(520,500);
          pb.setVisible(true);
          pb.setResizable(false);
     } // end of main()
} //end of class