An MDI (Multiple Document Interface) parent frame is a window which can contain MDI child frames in its own `desktop’. It is a convenient way to avoid window clutter, and is used in many popular Windows applications, such as Microsoft Word™.
There may be multiple MDI parent frames in a single application, but this probably only makes sense within programming development environments.
Child frames may be of class MDIChildFrame (contained within the parent frame) or Frame (shown as a top-level frame).
An MDI parent frame always has a MDIClientWindow associated with it, which is the parent for MDI client frames. This client window may be resized to accommodate non-MDI windows, as seen in Microsoft Visual C++ (TM) and Microsoft Publisher™, where a documentation window is placed to one side of the workspace.
MDI remains popular despite dire warnings from Microsoft itself that MDI is an obsolete user interface style.
The implementation is native in Windows, and simulated under Motif. Under Motif, the child window frames will often have a different appearance from other frames because the window decorations are simulated.
CAPTION |
Puts a caption on the frame. |
DEFAULT_FRAME_STYLE |
Defined as MINIMIZE_BOX * MAXIMIZE_BOX * THICK_FRAME * SYSTEM_MENU * CAPTION. |
HSCROLL |
Displays a horizontal scrollbar in the client window, allowingthe user to view child frames that are off the current view. |
ICONIZE |
Display the frame iconized (minimized) (Windows only). |
MAXIMIZE |
Displays the frame maximized (Windows only). |
MAXIMIZE_BOX |
Displays a maximize box on the frame (Windows and Motif only). |
MINIMIZE |
Identical to ICONIZE. |
MINIMIZE_BOX |
Displays a minimize box on the frame (Windows and Motif only). |
RESIZE_BORDER |
Displays a resizeable border around the window (Motif only;for Windows, it is implicit in THICK_FRAME). |
STAY_ON_TOP |
Stay on top of other windows (Windows only). |
SYSTEM_MENU |
Displays a system menu (Windows and Motif only). |
THICK_FRAME |
Displays a thick frame around the window (Windows and Motif only). |
VSCROLL |
Displays a vertical scrollbar in the client window, allowingthe user to view child frames that are off the current view. |
FRAME_NO_WINDOW_MENU |
Under Windows, removes the Window menu that is normallyadded automatically. |
See also window styles overview.
MDIChildFrame, MDIClientWindow, Frame, Dialog
MDIParentFrame.new(Window parent, Integer id, String title,
Point pos = DEFAULT_POSITION,
Size size = DEFAULT_SIZE,
Integer style = DEFAULT_FRAME_STYLE VSCROLL HSCROLL,
String name = "frame")Constructor, creating the window.
During the construction of the frame, the client window will be created. To use a different class from MDIClientWindow, override MDIParentFrame#on_create_client.
Under Windows 95, the client window will automatically have a sunken border style when the active child is not maximized, and no border style when a child is maximized.
MDIParentFrame#create, MDIParentFrame#on_create_client
destructor()Destructor. Destroys all child windows and menu bar if present.
activate_next()Activates the MDI child following the currently active one.
MDIParentFrame#activate_previous
activate_previous()Activates the MDI child preceding the currently active one.
arrange_icons()Arranges any iconized (minimized) MDI child windows.
MDIParentFrame#cascade, MDIParentFrame#tile
cascade()Arranges the MDI child windows in a cascade.
MDIParentFrame#tile, MDIParentFrame#arrange_icons
Boolean create(Window parent, Integer id, String title,
Point pos = DEFAULT_POSITION,
Size size = DEFAULT_SIZE,
Integer style = DEFAULT_FRAME_STYLE VSCROLL HSCROLL,
String name = "frame")Used in two-step frame construction. See MDIParentFrame.new for further details.
get_client_size(Integer width, Integer height)This gets the size of the frame `client area’ in pixels.
The client area is the area which may be drawn on by the programmer, excluding title bar, border, status bar, and toolbar if present.
If you wish to manage your own toolbar (or perhaps you have more than one), provide an OnSize event handler. Call GetClientSize to find how much space there is for your windows and don’t forget to set the size and position of the MDI client window as well as your toolbar and other windows (but not the status bar).
If you have set a toolbar with MDIParentFrame#set_toolbar, the client size returned will have subtracted the toolbar height. However, the available positions for the client window and other windows of the frame do not start at zero – you must add the toolbar height.
The position and size of the status bar and toolbar (if known to the frame) are always managed by MDIParentFrame, regardless of what behaviour is defined in your OnSize event handler. However, the client window position and size are always set in OnSize, so if you override this event handler, make sure you deal with the client window.
You do not have to manage the size and position of MDI child windows, since they are managed automatically by the client window.
MDIParentFrame#get_tool_bar, MDIParentFrame#set_tool_bar, MDIClientWindow
MDIChildFrame get_active_child()Returns a pointer to the active MDI child, if there is one.
MDIClientWindow get_client_window()Returns a pointer to the client window.
MDIParentFrame#on_create_client
Window get_tool_bar()Returns the window being used as the toolbar for this frame.
Menu get_window_menu()Returns the current Window menu (added by Widgets to the menubar). This function is available under Windows only.
MDIClientWindow on_create_client()Override this to return a different kind of client window. If you override this function, you must create your parent frame in two stages, or your function will never be called, due to the way C++ treats virtual functions called from constructors. For example:
frame = new MyParentFrame;
frame->Create(parent, myParentFrameId, T("My Parent Frame"));You might wish to derive from MDIClientWindow in order to implement different erase behaviour, for example, such as painting a bitmap on the background.
Note that it is probably impossible to have a client window that scrolls as well as painting
a bitmap or pattern, since in OnScroll, the scrollbar positions always return zero.
(Solutions to: julian.smart@btopenworld.com).
MDIParentFrame#get_client_window, MDIClientWindow
set_tool_bar(Window toolbar)Sets the window to be used as a toolbar for this MDI parent window. It saves the application having to manage the positioning of the toolbar MDI client window.
When the frame is resized, the toolbar is resized to be the width of the frame client area, and the toolbar height is kept the same.
The parent of the toolbar must be this frame.
If you wish to manage your own toolbar (or perhaps you have more than one), don’t call this function, and instead manage your subwindows and the MDI client window by providing an OnSize event handler. Call MDIParentFrame#get_client_size to find how much space there is for your windows.
Note that SDI (normal) frames and MDI child windows must always have their toolbars managed by the application.
MDIParentFrame#get_tool_bar, MDIParentFrame#get_client_size
set_window_menu(Menu menu)Call this to change the current Window menu. Ownership of the menu object passes to the frame when you call this function.
This call is available under Windows only.
To remove the window completely, use the FRAME_NO_WINDOW_MENU window style.
tile(Orientation orient = HORIZONTAL)Tiles the MDI child windows either horizontally or vertically depending on whether orient is HORIZONTAL or VERTICAL.
Currently only implemented for MSW, does nothing under the other platforms.
MDIParentFrame#cascade, MDIParentFrame#arrange_icons
[This page automatically generated from the Textile source at Thu May 01 00:50:41 +0100 2008]