Re: FVWM: Window hierarchy ?

From: Mikhael Goikhman <migo_at_homemail.com>
Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2002 14:59:14 +0000

On 27 Jun 2002 10:11:19 -0400, dombs_at_swing.be wrote:
>
> I'm new with FVWM and I have a question.
>
> I'm writing a X-Window application (based on Trolltech Qt libraries,
> running under Linux with FVWM2).
>
> This application has a lot of windows. And some of those windows have
> more priority.
>
> Is it possible to create an hierarchy with the different windows ?
> For example, if I have five windows:
> A has priority 3 (less priority)
> B and C have priority 2 (middle priority)
> D and E have priority 1 (first priority)
> Does somebody know how to always have windows D and E above all other,
> If I select the E window it comes above D window, and if a select D
> window it comes above E window, If I select B window it comes above C
> window but always under D and E windows (in case of overlapping), etc.
>
> Can it be done at the WindowManager level or at the X-Window level
> (properties of the windows)?

You may want to use layers. An application may assign them using gnome
window manager hints or using extended window manager hints (EWMH).
FVWM recognizes these hints unless they are switched off by a user.

You may do it on the window manager configuration level too by defining:

  Style A_pattern Layer 2
  Style B_pattern Layer 4
  Style C_pattern Layer 4
  Style D_pattern Layer 6
  Style E_pattern Layer 6

The default window layer (StaysPut) is 4, other shortcuts: StaysOnTop
is layer 6, StaysOnBottom is layer 2

But if you write your application please rethink twice before throwing
layers on pure users. I never like that an application dictates that one
of its windows is always above others or even grabs X until it is closed.
Fortunately FVWM has all the needed defence against applications that
abuse their priveleges. :)

I think (without knowing details) that a better solution than layers is
to define window groups and/or a tree of your transients. Then a user
has more options to configure such window tree, search for "Transient"
or "WindowGroups" in the fvwm man page.

Regards,
Mikhael.
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Received on Thu Jun 27 2002 - 10:00:34 BST

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