10.4.1. Starting up and terminating the aplication
xdnnve reads its configuration parameters from .xdnnverc
file during its startup. These parameters concern appearance of
the program and other working parameters (i.e. the last edited file).
The application expects to find its configuration file in a directory
which name is kept in environmental variable $DAVIDPRIVDIR. When the
file doesn't exist, the application begins its work with an empty
document and with its default settings. When xdnnve finishes its
work, it writes its current settings in the .xdnnverc file. The
application, during its work, can write some errors on stderr
instead of displaying message boxes.
A configuration files edition, on which control panels are generated,
is made invisible for a user. A user builds a panel putting controls on it
by using the mouse and specifying their properties and connections. All
operations are made using a graphic interface and a user doesn't need
to know a structure of edited files.
The main panel takes a central part of the application main
view. The toolbar is usually above the main panel while the status
bar is placed below it. On the left side of the main panel tool
buttons are placed. They help you to create your control panels.
Some information is displayed on the status bar: coordinates
of a left, top corner and a size of an object over which there is
the mouse pointer. When no object contains the mouse cursor,
coordinates and a size of the main panel are displayed on the
status bar. There is only one exception when a rectangle area
is marked using the mouse. Then, the displayed data are applied to it.
10.4.2.1. Main window buttons
Buttons on the toolbar allow you to edit a created panel. The first
four buttons agree with File menu.
The edited operations applies to specified objects. When there aren't the
objects, the edited operations applies to the main panel. An object is marked
when the mouse cursor is above it (exactly: the object has a focus). An object
permanently can be marked when any part of it belongs to a rectangle area of
the main panel drawn by pressing the left mouse button. The specified object
can be selected or unselected pressing the left mouse button while the Ctrl
key stays pressed. Specified objects can be unselected by clicking the mouse
on the main panel or marking a new area of it.
Rest of buttons agree with Edit menu and they are shown below:
You can use Edit menu options by pressing the right mouse button on the
selected control or the panel. Then a list with accessible options of the menu is
displayed.
Through Help menu you can find out about the application version and its
creation time.