Volume 6A: Motif Programming Manual

strongly recommends using the main window layout, many applications simply do not fit the standard GUI design

model. For example, a clock application, a terminal emulator, a calculator, and a host of other desktop applications do

not follow the Motif specifications in this regard, but they can still have Motif elements within them and can still be

regarded as Motif−compliant. If you already have an application in mind, chances are you already know whether or

not the main window layout is suited to the application; if you are in doubt, your best bet is to comply with the Motif

Style Guide.

Before we start discussing the MainWindow widget, you should realize that this widget class does not create any of

the widgets it manages. It merely facilitates managing the widgets in a way that is consistent with the Style Guide. In

order to discuss the MainWindow widget, we are going to have to discuss a number of other widget classes and use

them in examples. As a beginning chapter in a large book on Motif programming, this may seem like a bit much to

handle, especially if you are completely unfamiliar with the Motif toolkit. We encourage you to branch off into other

chapters whenever you find it necessary to do so. However, it is not our intention to explain these other widgets ahead

of time, nor is it our assumption that you already understand them. The lack of an understanding of the other widgets

should not interfere with our goal of describing the MainWindow widget and how it fits into the design ...