Java Notes and Password Manager Project - Step-by-Step Guide
1. Set Up the Development Environment:
- Install JDK (Java Development Kit) if not already installed.
- Install an IDE (IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, NetBeans, etc.).
- Create a new Java project in your IDE.
2. Create the Main Class (NotesPasswordManager.java):
- Set up the main entry point for the application.
- Create a JFrame and set its properties (title, size, close operation).
3. Create a Tabbed Interface:
- Use JTabbedPane to switch between "Notes" and "Password Manager" tabs.
- Add the tabs to the main JFrame.
4. Build the Notes Panel (NotesPanel.java):
- Create a JTextArea for writing and viewing notes.
- Add a JButton to save the notes to a file.
- Handle file I/O operations to save notes in a file (e.g., notes.txt).
5. Build the Password Manager Panel (PasswordPanel.java):
- Create a JList to display stored passwords.
- Add a JButton for adding new passwords.
- Implement AES encryption for securely storing passwords.
- Store encrypted passwords in memory (later, save them to a file or
database).
6. Add Encryption for Passwords:
- Use Java Cryptography (javax.crypto) to encrypt and decrypt passwords.
- Generate an AES key for encryption.
- Encrypt passwords before storing them in the list.
7. Implement Additional Features (Optional):
- Add password editing, deleting, and retrieval functionalities.
- Save passwords to a file or database (e.g., encrypted .dat file or SQLite).
- Add a master password to protect access to the password manager.
8. Finalize the Application:
- Test all functionality to ensure smooth operation.
- Clean up the code and organize it into packages.
- Export the project as a runnable JAR file for distribution.
9. Next Steps (Optional):
- Improve the UI design using custom styles.
- Add error handling and validation (e.g., empty notes, weak passwords).
- Create a settings panel for user preferences.
