Re: Design of MDI aplication

[Russell Shaw <rjshaw netspace net au>]

Gus Koppel wrote:
> Petr Hracek wrote:
>
> > I would like to ask you how I can design MDI aplication. Of course if 
> > it's possible.
> > where I can find some sources. In Gtk-demo I did not find anything.
>
> Two answers:
>
> 1. there are currently two common ways for designing MDI (Multiple
> Document Interface) in GTK+:
>
> 1.1. by putting each "document" into its own toplevel window
>
> 1.2. by having one main window with a GtkNotebook (tabs either visible
> or invisible). Each "document" would then become a page inside that
> notebook.
>
> A few well designed applications offer the user the choice to change
> between these two handling methods any time, at runtime, sometimes even
> on a per window (per document) basis.
>
> 2. look at the following URLs for some more controversial information:
> http://mail.gnome.org/archives/gtk-app-devel-list/2003-December/msg00141.html
> http://mail.gnome.org/archives/gtk-app-devel-list/2003-November/msg00113.html
>
> Essence: WiW (Windows in Windows), the 3rd way, as known from MS-Windows
> or QT, are not supported by GTK+. Some people say fortunately, others
> (including me) say unfortunately. My opinion on this is that just
> because a few people (mainly developers) really dislike this feature
> they shouldn't keep telling other users they have to dislike it as well,
> even if they are no lusers and still feel comfortable with it.
...

FWIW, there's valid uses for SDI *and* MDI (wiw).

SDI:
  Things like drawing and cad programs, editors, etc, should
  be SDI with one top-level window per document, for the main
  reason that you can have two documents displayed on their
  own monitor in a dual-head setup, and possibly more documents
  placed on virtual desktops too.

  gVim is an example that needs SDI, but currently uses wiw by
  splitting the screen.

MDI:
  Apps that have many windows of equal priority result in them
  scattered all over the desktop, so need to be contained and
  managed in a global app window. An example is an instant
  messaging or IRC client where you can easily have windows
  open for a dozen people. A friend only uses M$ windows for his
  IM client because it does wiw MDI so all the contained windows
  are neatly panelled. This management removes all dependencies
  and vagaries of whatever window manager is being used.

  If many top level windows can be made to "stick" or dock
  together with the main menubar and all be iconized as a
  unit independent of the window manager, then this would
  go a long way to removing the need for wiw MDI.