AWT Full Form

AWT stands for Abstract Window Toolkit. It is a platform-dependent API to develop GUI (Graphical User Interface) or window-based applications in Java. It was developed by Sun Microsystem In 1995. It is heavy-weight in use because it is generated by the system’s host operating system. It contains a large number of classes and methods, which are used for creating and managing GUI.

Java AWT Hierarchy

Characteristics of AWT

• It is a set of native user interface components.
• It is very robust in nature.
• It includes various editing tools like graphics tool and imaging tools.
• It uses native window-system controls.
• It provides functionality to include shapes, colors and font classes.

Advantages of using AWT

• It takes very less memory for development of GUI and executing programs.
• It is highly stable as it rarely crashes.
• It is dependent on operating system so performance is high.
• It is easy to use for beginners due to its easy interface.

Disadvantages of using AWT

• The buttons of AWT does not support pictures.
• It is heavyweight in nature.
• Two very important components trees and tables are not present.
• Extensibility is not possible as it is platform dependent