Module java.desktop
Package javax.swing.tree

## Interface TreeModel

- All Known Implementing Classes:
    `DefaultTreeModel`

      public interface TreeModel

  The model used by `JTree`.

  `JTree` and its related classes make extensive use of `TreePath`s for identifying nodes in the `TreeModel`. If a `TreeModel` returns the same object, as compared by `equals`, at two different indices under the same parent than the resulting `TreePath` objects will be considered equal as well. Some implementations may assume that if two `TreePath`s are equal, they identify the same node. If this condition is not met, painting problems and other oddities may result. In other words, if `getChild` for a given parent returns the same Object (as determined by `equals`) problems may result, and it is recommended you avoid doing this.

  Similarly `JTree` and its related classes place `TreePath`s in `Map`s. As such if a node is requested twice, the return values must be equal (using the `equals` method) and have the same `hashCode`.

  For further information on tree models, including an example of a custom implementation, see How to Use Trees in The Java Tutorial.

  See Also:
    `TreePath`

- - ### Method Summary

    All Methods Instance Methods Abstract Methods
    Modifier and Type | Method | Description
    --- | --- | ---
    `void` | `addTreeModelListener​(TreeModelListener l)` | Adds a listener for the `TreeModelEvent` posted after the tree changes.
    `Object` | `getChild​(Object parent, int index)` | Returns the child of `parent` at index `index` in the parent's child array.
    `int` | `getChildCount​(Object parent)` | Returns the number of children of `parent`.
    `int` | `getIndexOfChild​(Object parent, Object child)` | Returns the index of child in parent.
    `Object` | `getRoot​()` | Returns the root of the tree.
    `boolean` | `isLeaf​(Object node)` | Returns `true` if `node` is a leaf.
    `void` | `removeTreeModelListener​(TreeModelListener l)` | Removes a listener previously added with `addTreeModelListener`.
    `void` | `valueForPathChanged​(TreePath path, Object newValue)` | Messaged when the user has altered the value for the item identified by `path` to `newValue`.

- - ### Method Detail

    - #### getRoot

          Object getRoot​()

      Returns the root of the tree. Returns `null` only if the tree has no nodes.
      Returns:
        the root of the tree

    - #### getChild

          Object getChild​(Object parent,
                          int index)

      Returns the child of `parent` at index `index` in the parent's child array. `parent` must be a node previously obtained from this data source. This should not return `null` if `index` is a valid index for `parent` (that is `index >= 0 && index < getChildCount(parent`)).
      Parameters:
        `parent` - a node in the tree, obtained from this data source
        `index` - index of child to be returned
      Returns:
        the child of `parent` at index `index`

    - #### getChildCount

          int getChildCount​(Object parent)

      Returns the number of children of `parent`. Returns 0 if the node is a leaf or if it has no children. `parent` must be a node previously obtained from this data source.
      Parameters:
        `parent` - a node in the tree, obtained from this data source
      Returns:
        the number of children of the node `parent`

    - #### isLeaf

          boolean isLeaf​(Object node)

      Returns `true` if `node` is a leaf. It is possible for this method to return `false` even if `node` has no children. A directory in a filesystem, for example, may contain no files; the node representing the directory is not a leaf, but it also has no children.
      Parameters:
        `node` - a node in the tree, obtained from this data source
      Returns:
        true if `node` is a leaf

    - #### valueForPathChanged

          void valueForPathChanged​(TreePath path,
                                   Object newValue)

      Messaged when the user has altered the value for the item identified by `path` to `newValue`. If `newValue` signifies a truly new value the model should post a `treeNodesChanged` event.
      Parameters:
        `path` - path to the node that the user has altered
        `newValue` - the new value from the TreeCellEditor

    - #### getIndexOfChild

          int getIndexOfChild​(Object parent,
                              Object child)

      Returns the index of child in parent. If either `parent` or `child` is `null`, returns -1. If either `parent` or `child` don't belong to this tree model, returns -1.
      Parameters:
        `parent` - a node in the tree, obtained from this data source
        `child` - the node we are interested in
      Returns:
        the index of the child in the parent, or -1 if either `child` or `parent` are `null` or don't belong to this tree model

    - #### addTreeModelListener

          void addTreeModelListener​(TreeModelListener l)

      Adds a listener for the `TreeModelEvent` posted after the tree changes.
      Parameters:
        `l` - the listener to add
      See Also:
        `removeTreeModelListener(javax.swing.event.TreeModelListener)`

    - #### removeTreeModelListener

          void removeTreeModelListener​(TreeModelListener l)

      Removes a listener previously added with `addTreeModelListener`.
      Parameters:
        `l` - the listener to remove
      See Also:
        `addTreeModelListener(javax.swing.event.TreeModelListener)`