Tag Archives: graphical user interface

What Is a Window ?

Posted on by vivaclipper

In computing, a window ( aka form ) is an enclosed, rectangular area on a display screen. Most modern operating systems and applications have graphical user interfaces ( GUIs ) that let divide display into several windows. Within each window, may run a different program or display different data.

Windows are particularly valuable in multitasking environments , which allow to execute several programs at once. By dividing display into windows, may seen the output from all the programs at the same time. To enter input into a program, you simply click on the desired window to make it the foreground process.

WhatIsAWindow

GUI enable to set the dimensions and position of each window by moving the mouse and clicking appropriate buttons. Windows can be arranged so that they do not overlap (tiled windows) or so they do overlap (overlaid windows). Overlaid windows (also called cascading windows) resemble a stack of pieces of paper lying on top of one another; only the topmost window is displayed in full. You can move a window to the top of the stack by positioning the pointer in the portion of the window that is visible and clicking the mouse buttons. This is known as popping. You can expand a window to fill the entire screen by selecting the window’s zoom box.

In addition to moving windows, changing their size, popping and zooming them, you can also replace an entire window with an icon (this is sometimes called minimizing). An icon is a small picture that represents the program running in the window. By converting a window into an icon, you can free up space on the display screen without erasing the window entirely. It is always possible to reconvert the icon into a window whenever you want.

What is UI ( User Interface )

Posted on by vivaclipper

The user interface (UI) , in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of this interaction is effective operation and control of the machine on the user’s end, and feedback from the machine, which aids the operator in making operational decisions. Examples of this broad concept of user interfaces include the interactive aspects of computer operating systems, hand tools, heavy machinery operator controls, and process controls. The design considerations applicable when creating user interfaces are related to or involve such disciplines as ergonomics and psychology.

A user interface is the system by which people (users) interact with a machine. The user interface includes hardware (physical) and software (logical) components. User interfaces exist for various systems, and provide a means of:

Input, allowing the users to manipulate a system Output, allowing the system to indicate the effects of the users’ manipulation

Generally, the goal of human-machine interaction engineering is to produce a user interface which makes it easy (self exploratory), efficient, and enjoyable (user friendly) to operate a machine in the way which produces the desired result. This generally means that the operator needs to provide minimal input to achieve the desired output, and also that the machine minimizes undesired outputs to the human.

With the increased use of personal computers and the relative decline in societal awareness of heavy machinery, the term user interface is generally assumed to mean the graphical user interface, while industrial control panel and machinery control design discussions more commonly refer to human-machine interfaces.

Other terms for user interface include human–computer interface (HCI) and man–machine interface (MMI).

Human-MachineInterface

Source and more info

CLI (command-line interface)

A command-line interface (CLI), also known as command-line user interface, console user interface, and character user interface (CUI), is a means of interacting with a computer program where the user (or client) issues commands to the program in the form of successive lines of text (command lines).

The CLI was the primary means of interaction with most popular operating systems in the 1970s and 1980s, including MS-DOS, CP/M, Unix, and Apple DOS. The interface is usually implemented with a command line shell, which is a program that accepts commands as text input and converts commands to appropriate operating system functions.

Command-line interfaces to computer operating systems are less widely used by casual computer users, who favor graphical user interfaces. Command-line interfaces are often preferred by more advanced computer users, as they often provide a more concise and powerful means to control a program or operating system.

Programs with command-line interfaces are generally easier to automate via scripting.

Alternatives to the command line include, but are not limited to menus, keyboard shortcuts, and various other desktop metaphors centered on the pointer (usually controlled with a mouse).

Source and more info

commandLine

TUI (Text-based user interface)

Text-based user interface (TUI), also called textual user interface or terminal user interface, is a retronym that was coined sometime after the invention of graphical user interfaces, to distinguish them from user interfaces that were text-based. The concept of TUI refers primarily to the way of output and does not coincide with command-line interfaces which is a certain user input mode. An advanced TUI may, like GUIs, use the entire screen area and does not necessarily provide line-by-line output, although TUIs only use text, symbols and colors available on a given text environment.

Source and more info

QB45TUInterface

GUI ( graphical user interface )

In computing, graphical user interface (GUI, is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices through graphical icons and visual indicators such as secondary notation, as opposed to text-based interfaces, typed command labels or text navigation. GUIs were introduced in reaction to the perceived steep learning curve of command-line interfaces (CLI), which require commands to be typed on the keyboard.

The actions in GUI are usually performed through direct manipulation of the graphical elements. Besides in computers, GUIs can be found in hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players, gaming devices, household appliances, office, and industry equipment. The term GUI is usually not applied to other low-resolution types of interfaces with display resolutions, such as video games (where HUD is preferred), or not restricted to flat screens, like volumetric displays because the term is restricted to the scope of two-dimensional display screens able to describe generic information.

FedoraGUInterface

Source and more info

Quick Start to Migration

Posted on by vivaclipper

Chapter I – Text to text conversion

In Clipper world, “migration” means “convert a DOS based Clipper program to Windows”. This is a dream of every Clipper – DOS programmer.

 Before all, we need clarify some terms:

May be found multiple ways for convert a DOS based Clipper program to Windows. In general, DOS programs are runs in “text” mode and Windows program runs in “Graphic” mode; and this is what meant by term “migration”.

Converting a text mode program to directly GUI (Graphical User Interface) is a painful job. First, we need to find a Compiler with GUI support, or a GUI library usable with a specific compiler. If we have more than one opportunity ( yes, it is so ) we need make a choice between them.

For make a right selection we need learn, understand specialties of each option and differences between them.

Believe me, this is an endless way 😦

Instead, let’s begin with simpler thing: convert a DOS text mode program to Windows text mode program.

Question: Without GUI, what meaning will be to migrate from DOS to Windows?

Answer: Good question and like all good question, answer isn’t easy.

First, modern OSs moves away day to day from DOS conditions; memory problems, screen problems, codepage problems, etc… By the time, building / running 16 bit executable becomes more difficult day to day.

Whereas Harbour already is a 32 / 64 bit compiler.

Second, all DOS Compilers for Clipper are commercial and registration required products; furthermore they are almost out of sold for this days; what compiler you could use?

And third, Harbour is best free compiler and the best way to use a free GUI tool for xBase language.

So, beginning with using Harbour in text mode is the best start point, I think.

First step is downloading and install HMG or Harbour. If you didn’t past this step yet please refer previous articles in this section or “Links” page of this blog.

The easiest way for using Harbour compiler is calling hbmk2, the wonderful project maker for Harbour compiler.

Depending your installation, hbmk2 may be in different locations; such as C:\Harbour\bin or c:\hmg\harbour\bin or anything else.

Hereafter I will assume that your hbmk2 is in C:\hmg\Harbour\bin. If your installation is different, please modify above examples.

Second step is assign an empty folder (directory) for work / test affairs; say C:\test.

And the third step is copying your Clipper program(s) to this folder.

But don’t rush; we have some precautions:

– Better way is starting with a single-program project; if you haven’t written a new one. Don’t uses for now projects have multiple program file.

 – Your program may have some “national” characters and these characters may be differently shown between DOS and Windows. If so, you may want fix manually these differences via a Windows based text editor. Or use a program if you have one. Harbour has a clever tool (HB_OEMTOANSI() function) is usable for this purpose.

 – In Clipper it’s possible a program file without module (procedure / function) definition. If you have such file(s), enclose your code with PROCEDURE — RETURN statement pair.

– Every Harbour project must have one and only one MAIN module (procedure / function). The first procedure / function in your single program file will be considered as MAIN module of your project. (In HMG, name of this module must be “main” also).

– Almost all Clipper commands, statement, functions, pseudo functions, manifest constants etc are usable almost in the same ways with Clipper. May be exist some very few and very rare differences, and of course solving methods for its.

For compile process we will use command box (DOS / console window) of Windows. You can open a console window, with the menu Start -> Run -> cmd or selecting it in the “Command Prompt” from the Start Menu \ All Programs.

 – “Command / console window” size may not appropriate for easy use. You may

      – use a MODE ( DOS ) command :

         MODE CON LINES=54 COLS=148

       or

   – adding a SetMode() statement at the beginning of MAIN module of your project. For example:

       SetMode( 25,  80 )  // 25 line 80 column same as standard 
                           // DOS screen ( but not full screen ! )
       SetMode( 48, 128 )  // 48 line 128 column, may be more readable

Now, we are ready to begin: Enter this command in console window :

 C:\hmg\harbour\bin hbmk2 <mainPrgName>

You don’t need any SET command (such as PATH etc) before this command; hbmk2 will find all necessary paths / files.

For running executable after compile, add a -run switch to the command line :

 C:\hmg\harbour\bin hbmk2 <mainPrgName> -run

Of course, you need supply name of your main .prg file in place of <mainPrgName>.

Note that you don’t need a separate “linking” step; hbmk2 will do everything for you.

You may use this

 C:\hmg\harbour\bin hbmk2 <mainPrgName>

command via a batch ( .bat ) command file (such as “build.bat”) too. In this way you can apply compiling process without console window; run .bat file by double click in the Windows Explorer. In this case you may need add a PAUSE command at end of .bat file.

That’s all.

You know, a program file may contains more than one module (procedure / function). So you may develop your project by adding new modules to your single program file.

In this step you don’t need trying extra features, extensions of Harbour. Before that adventure your primary need is to convert existing project Clipper to Harbour.

When you reach a level of multiple-program file project:

– Basic rules are the same: the first module in the your program file is MAIN module of your project.

If your .prg files contains:

  SET PROCEDURE TO <procedure_File_Name>

 and / or

   #include <procedure_File_Name>

 you may or may not continue using these statement.

 – The shortest way for compiling a multiple-file project is use a .hbp ( Harbour Projet ) file. This is a text file and its simplest form is a file contains list of your .prg files. For example:

myprog01.prg
myprog02.prg
myprog03.prg
myprog04.prg

and the compile command is the same :

  C:\hmg\harbour\bin hbmk2 <mainProjectFileName>

In this case you don’t need to use SET PROC… and #include … statement and this is the better way.

Because hbmk2 applies “incremental” compiling, that is compiles only modified files.

Under normal circumstances, any module in any program file is callable in anywhere in the project. If you have some modules that exclusive to this program file, you may use STATIC keyword at the beginning of PROCEDURE / FUNCTION statement. For example:

STATIC FUNCTION OpenTable()

With this syntax you will prevent calling this module outside of this .prg file and the possibility of using this module name into other .prg files.

Example :

Take “A typical Harbour Program” in the “Harbour Sample” page.

As seen at .pdf file by given link, this sample program borrowed from official reference guide of a Clipper compiler. That is, in fact this is a Clipper program and it will may compile with Harbour and run without any modification.

Let’s try.

– Copy and paste this sample and save in your PC with a name say “typical.prg”.

– Comment out the line for now.

 #include "Database.prg" // Contains generic database functions

– Call hbmk2:

 C:\hmg\harbour\bin hbmk2 typical -run

 Note: While working / playing on programs, you may encounter some error messages like:

  Error F0029  Can't open #include file xxx
  Error E0002  Redefinition of procedure or function xxx
  Error: Referenced, missing, but unknown function(s): xxx
  undefined reference to HB_FUN_xxx

 Please don’t panic !

    “Error” is salt and pepper of programming play ! 😉

 The worst situation isn’t getting error, but is unable to stay !

   The “HB_FUN_xxx” may be seen weird at first meet. The “HB_FUN_” is a prefix given by system ( compiler ) to your function; so you need search erroneous point into tour program files without this prefix.

Now, let’s continue to our “typical” program:

If you compile the program with commented out #include … line, possibly it will work, by opening main menu:

Typical_1

But what’s that?

When selected a menu item (except “Quit”) we can’t see other than an empty screen!

Again, don’t panic!

This situation too is not very rare !

If you use vertical scroll bar of command / console window, you will notice that your screen is considerably much longer than seen !

To avoid this conflict, ( as stated above ) we need use a SetMode() function call at top of our Main() procedure ( but AFTER LOCAL statement ! ) :

  SetMode( 24, 79 )

 And now everything is OK.

Typical_2

In fact, not really everything, we have a few “fine adjustment”.

Cut and paste the section after “// Database.prg” to a separate “Database.prg” file, un-comment the “#include …” line and then re-compile.

In this case we have a “multiple prg” project. As stated earlier, better way is using a .hbp file instead of “#include …” statements.

Now comment out ( or delete now ) the #include line.

Build a new text file with name “typical.hbp” and with this content :

Typical.prg
DataBase.prg

And recall hbmk2 without any modification :

C:\hmg\harbour\bin hbmk2 typical -run

That’s all !

Congratulations !

Now you have a multiple-prg project  !