EventListener (Java Platform SE 8 )
Keywords: org.w3c.dom.events.EventListener interface
Date: 2026-03-16

compact2, compact3
org.w3c.dom.events

## Interface EventListener

-     public interface EventListener

  The `EventListener` interface is the primary method for handling events. Users implement the `EventListener` interface and register their listener on an `EventTarget` using the `AddEventListener` method. The users should also remove their `EventListener` from its `EventTarget` after they have completed using the listener.

  When a `Node` is copied using the `cloneNode` method the `EventListener`s attached to the source `Node` are not attached to the copied `Node`. If the user wishes the same `EventListener`s to be added to the newly created copy the user must add them manually.

  See also the Document Object Model (DOM) Level 2 Events Specification.

  Since:
    DOM Level 2

- - ### Method Summary

    All Methods Instance Methods Abstract Methods
    Modifier and Type | Method and Description
    --- | ---
    `void` | `handleEvent(Event evt)` This method is called whenever an event occurs of the type for which the `EventListener` interface was registered.

- - ### Method Detail

    - #### handleEvent

          void handleEvent(Event evt)

      This method is called whenever an event occurs of the type for which the `EventListener` interface was registered.
      Parameters:
        `evt` - The `Event` contains contextual information about the event. It also contains the `stopPropagation` and `preventDefault` methods which are used in determining the event's flow and default action.

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