XbW: "X without bells and whistles"

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 manipulation of every feature of your user interface (although the way that manipulation has to be done is really hard to understand .

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 (several thousand windows..)
• 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.
• User interfaces can be loaded in multiple copies at the same time; each of those copies is called a "project". They all can but need not work on the same data sets.

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, you are encouraged to 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, but more of the latter than the former :-)

XbW: A Really Short Introduction

out of not more than this:

by just typing:

     cd /xw/applications/simple
     xbw simplemfx.h

Surely, the list of XbW functionality is a bit longer; but this is most essentially what it's all about. The following list contains further documents where you may find useful information about use and installation of XBW.

• First-Time Installation of XbW
• The adder demo
• The simple demo
• The Object Editor
• Further Docs

Further notes about XbW commands

xbw progname.c

Create the user interface in PROGNAMEwdw.mta out of the headerfile PROGNAMEmfx.h, compile PROGNAME.c and execute the resulting user interface.

xbw progname.h

Just create the user interface out of PROGNAMEmfx.h and start the user interface.

xbw clean

Remove all files that were created by XbW and can be recreated by the command as described above.

xbw filename.mta

xbw filename.xwx

Interpret the given "Metafile"

xbw filename.prj

Load a complete set of xbw-"Projects"

The End of the Line

1. cd to /xw/csource, do a make and get yourself a cup of coffee
2. drink it (not necessary on a Pentium Pro :=)
3. cd to /xw/applications/adder and do a make. You should see the XbW main window displaying the "calculator".
4. try out: /xw/applications/simple
5. get yourself used to the "C"-style, but modified :) syntax of the XBW interpreter...
6. I don't have or read UNIX mail so you better use "snail mail" (a.out, i know).

See what happens...

Have fun,

Hendrik