Variable power supply? Answered

Is there a fairly simple circuit, method to making a desktop power supply running on 240v a.c mains supply with a user controlled variable output say 0-24v D.C with variable ampage upto say 1 amp. I may be over simplicating thing in my head but is it just a case of a transformer taking my mains input down to the upper most requirement ( 24v @ 1amp ) on the output, and the using some type of variable resitors on the output to further restrict the output to my requirement. I would be grateful for any guidance and information on this topic. Thanks to the community in advance.