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19 Example: Using The Interface Builder

This example shows you how to use the Interface Builder to design a simple interface. It explains how to create the layout and the menu system, and demonstrates some of the attributes that you can set. Finally, the interface is saved to a file, and combined with some other simple code to produce a working example. You are strongly advised to read The Interface Builder, before (or in conjunction with) this chapter. It is also useful, though not essential, if you are familiar with the editor (The Editor), the listener (The Listener), and Common Lisp systems.

The final interface created is shown in Example interface. It consists of a column layout which contains a graph pane, a display pane, and a list panel.

Figure 19.1 Example interface

Any select action performed in either the graph pane or the list panel is described in the display pane. This includes the following actions:

Double-clicking any item in either the graph pane or the list panel displays a dialog which shows which item you double-clicked.

Lastly, there are menu commands available which display, in a dialog, the current selection in either pane. Choose Selection > Graph to see the currently selected items in the graph pane, and choose Selection > List Panel to see the currently selected items in the list panel.

19.1 Creating the basic layout

19.2 Specifying attribute values

19.3 Creating the menu system

19.4 Specifying callbacks in the interface definition

19.5 Saving the interface

19.6 Defining the callbacks

19.7 Creating a system

19.8 Testing the example interface


Common LispWorks User Guide (Unix version) - 5 Jul 2006

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