Minesweeper in Java: Part One - GUI

Continuing from yesterdays post about Minesweeper as an introduction to game programming today we are going to start by creating Minesweeper in Java, a traditional starting language. Creating graphical user interfaces is normally more advanced of a topic than a usual starting tutorial, but the basics are quite simple.

For Minesweeper the basic interface for the game is a simple grid with squares. In Java we will do this by creating a JPanel with GridLayout. For simplicity sake we will assume that the grid will always be 10x10. These are set in the constructor.

import java.awt.*;
import javax.swing.*;

public class GameGridGui extends JPanel{

public GameGridGui(){
     this.setSize(400,400);
     this.setLayout(new GridLayout(10,10));
}
}

Once the basic layout is taken care of the next thing that needs to be done is build the squares. There are lots of ways to do this but since we need to click on the squares there is no reason why we shouldn't just use an array of JButtons. Create a method called buildButtons and call it from your constructor.

import java.awt.GridLayout;

import javax.swing.JButton;
import javax.swing.JPanel;

public class GameGridGui extends JPanel{

 private JButton squares[][];
 
public GameGridGui(){
     this.setSize(400,400);
     this.setLayout(new GridLayout(10,10));
     squares = new JButton[10][10];
     buildButtons();
}

private void buildButtons(){
     for(int i=0;i<10;i++){
          for(int j=0;j<10;j++){
               squares[i][j] = new JButton();
               squares[i][j].setSize(400,400);
               this.add(squares[i][j]);
          }
     }
}
}

If you want to test this out to see what it looks like, just create a quick main method with a JFrame.

public static void main(String[] args) {
  GameGridGui g = new GameGridGui();
  JFrame frame = new JFrame("My Minesweeper");
  frame.add(g);
  frame.setSize(400,400);
  frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
  frame.setVisible(true);
 }

And with that you have a basic Minesweeper GUI in Java.

A Mine in Many Languages

One of my favorite games is the Windows classic Minesweeper. It is a simple yet addictive game that really engages your mind, and it is an excellent introduction to game programming. A lot of budding programmers are most interested in game programming because it gives you instant gratification, the visible results and interactivity that is missing from a large number of introductory programming assignments. Minesweeper may not have the flashy graphics or multiplayer capabilities of a hit game, but it is that simplicity that makes it an excellent starting program.

With any program, no matter the language or the scale, the first thing that you want to do is determine what exactly you will need. For minesweeper the list is fairly straightforward:

1. Area to display the grid.
2. Ability to click on squares in the grid.
3. Ability to distinguish between unclicked square, square with a mine, square with a number, and square that has been flagged.
4. On square click, the ability to determine if the square is a mine and if not the ability to count neighboring squares.
5. Ability to detect when game is finished, either by clicking on a mine or by clicking on all non-mine squares.
6. (Optional) Timer or move counter
7. (Optional) Ability to change options; grid size, number of mines, etc.

Your answer to these questions may change depending on the language you choose to write the program in, and the personal desires of the client. It is important to note that creating any list such as this is not meant to be too detailed or all inclusive. Some programmers prefer to just jump right in, others prefer to have absolutely everything planned and outlined in advance.

I will be referring back to this post regularly, with the goal of having a working version of minesweeper in every language that I learn.