JComboBox get current value

I am trying to get the "Current" value from a combo box. With getSelected Value you actually have to select a value for it to trigger. I have a gui with several tabs. The tabs share a common combo box. When switching from one tab to another, I want to be able to grab the value in the combobox after the tab is swiched.

The default value of the combo box is "--Choose--". If I am on tab 1, and then switch to tab 2 and do a print of the combo box value, it comes up empty rather than "--Choose--".

Here is the code I am using to get the value in the combobox currently.

Code:

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class GoActionListener implements ActionListener {
                public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent event) {
                       
                //        musicListBox.remove(logoPanel);
                        String category = (String) categoryComboBox.getSelectedItem();
                       
                        //String cat = (String)
                       
                    System.out.println(category);

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I want the value of Sys out to be "--Choose--" when the tab is switched.

Quote:

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If I am on tab 1, and then switch to tab 2 and do a print of the combo box value, it comes up empty rather than "--Choose--".

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It will unless you select an item.

You can call getSelectedIndex() and check to see if it returns -1 (nothing selected) and if so call getItemAt(0) to get the first item in the list.

Yes, you are right, thanks!.