public GridBagConstraints getConstraints(int gridx, int gridy, int gridwidth, int gridheight,
      int ipadx, int ipady, int anchor, int fill)// used to set up component when being added to panel
   {
      GridBagConstraints c = new GridBagConstraints(); // creates GridBagConstraints object
      c.insets = new Insets(5,5,5,5); // sets space around the component
      c.gridx = gridx;// sets 'x' coordinate of component on the grid
      c.gridy = gridy;// sets 'y' coordinate of component on the grid
      c.gridwidth = gridwidth;// sets number of cells component uses going right
      c.gridheight = gridheight;// sets number of cells component uses going downwards
      c.ipadx = ipadx;// resizes width of component
      c.ipady = ipady;// resizes height of component
      c.anchor = anchor;// sets alignment of component in cell
      c.fill = fill;// sets type of fill for component in cell
      return c;// returns the object with these settings
   }

general.setLayout(new GridBagLayout());
                general.setBorder(BorderFactory.createTitledBorder(loweredBorder, "General"));

                general.add(gLabel, getConstraints(0, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, GridBagConstraints.WEST, GridBagConstraints.NONE));
                general.add(fgTextField, getConstraints(1, 0, 1, 1, 0, 0, GridBagConstraints.WEST, GridBagConstraints.NONE));