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- | XbW: "X without bells and whistles" |
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-
- Purpose: Create fast executable user interfaces for experimental machine
- controllers in test field software where user errors in the data
- input stage are the most important factor of reliability, without
- the hassle of compiling C-code every time. Allow direct manipu-
- lation of every feature of your user interface.
-
- Features:
- - Fast programming of large numbers of objects
- - Easy storage and retrieval of complete user interfaces
- - Fast creation of and access to extremely large user interfaces
-
- - Bundling of subwindows within windows eases grouping of objects;
- bundled windows can share common ''iconized'' status
-
- - Colors are associated in grouped classes. Every window and object
- has four colors: background fill, bright, dark and text color.
- Every color class is a unique combination of these four.
- This allows fast modification of general design rules; e.g.
- to switch from color to black and white display.
-
- Advantages:
- 1. An easy to control interface from XbW to your C-programs
- guarantees that your program gets correct data to cope with.
- 2. The same interface allows operation of your program without
- the user interface at all; this enables you to track errors
- down more easily than with a large user interface running in
- the background.
- 3. Automatic creation of the "C" data structures for data ex/import.
- 4. You can transport your program to another user interface by
- just adapting the data interface.
- 5. All the simple user interface elements can be created rapidly.
-
- Disadvantages (build-in features :)
- 1. Although it is possible to link your program directly to XbW,
- this is discouraged. If you want that, use another user
- interface.
- 2. The source code for XbW is quite unreadable :)
- 3. Complex user interface elements should be separated into smaller,
- more-easily-to-produce, elements. If you really need tons of
- complex user interface elements, use another user interface :)
-
- What you have to accept:
- 1. You cannot make money by selling XbW or parts of it; you are only
- allowed to:
- - sell your user interface database/code and deliver XbW free of
- charge in exactly the way in that you received it.
- - contact the author if that does not suffice
- 2. The XbW Interpreter's grammar, which has its pros and cons :)
-
- So far this is the end of the intro. Try doing the following:
-
- - create a symbolic link in a way that
-
- /xw
-
- reaches the directory in that this README is found. Or, more easy,
- install XbW from the root directory. It is important that
-
- /xw/x
-
- reaches the ./x directory, where the XbW macro library lives.
-
-
- - cd to /xw/csource, do a make and get yourceslf a cup of coffee :)
- - drink it
- - cd to /xw/applications/adder and do a make. You should see the XbW
- main window displaying the "calculator".
-
- - try out: /xw/applications/megawin and all /xw/samples
-
- - get yourself used to the "C"-style, but modified :) syntax of the
- XBW interpreter...
-
- - throw any comments & patches into /pub/XbW at ftp 134.34.193.150
- that is PC150.swbv.uni-konstanz.de (also known as the "bluesmobile" :)
-
- - I don't have or read UNIX mail :))) so you better use that ftp-server
- or try FIDO NET: my point address is
-
- 2:246/8112.4
-
- Have fun,
-
- ]=[endrik Maroske
-