<p>I'm looking for an abstract representation of a grid in Java (grid as in that thing with columns and rows of data).  Do such things exist?  I want to be able to sort, filter, keep track of rows, set column properties etc.  I'll then be realising the grid on the web.</p>

<p>To be clear: I've already decided on the ultimate view technology (client side).  The thing I'm looking for will hold all the records and offer them up as the view demands.</p>

JTable
is what you are looking for.