markov@cs.ruu.nl (Mark Overmars) (05/21/91)
=================== May 21, 1991
============================ Forms Newsletter 1 ===============================
===================
This is the first Newsletter about the Forms Library. This newsletter is meant
to inform users of the Forms Library of recent developments with respect to the
package, like e.g. bugs, extensions, tips and tricks, applications, new
object classes, etc. It will be posted on an irregular basis to the news
network in the newsgroup comp.sys.sgi. Send any contributions to the mail
addrss below.
Edited by Mark Overmars
Email: markov@cs.ruu.nl
---------------------------------- Archive -------------------------------------
-------
All Forms Library related stuff can be found in our archive at
archive.cs.ruu.nl (131.211.80.5), in the directory SGI/FORMS. The file
INDEX in that directory contains an updateds list of entries with a short
description.
To get stuff from our archive by ftp use anonymous ftp to
Address: archive.cs.ruu.nl [131.211.80.5]
Login: "anonymous" or "ftp"
Password: your email address (you@your_domain)
Usage: see the ftp(1) manual on your system
If you cannot use ftp, we're also running a mail server. To get the
Forms library by mail send mail to
mail-server@cs.ruu.nl
or the old-fashioned path alternative
...!uunet!mcsun!hp4nl!ruuinf!mail-server
In your mail place e.g. the following lines:
send SGI/FORMS/INDEX
end
You will get the files uuencoded by mail.
----------------------------- Distributing Changes -----------------------------
--------------------
There are many people that make changes to the Forms Library. I beg all of
them to please not distribute these changes. It is very important that there
is one official distribution of the package. I would like to remain the only
person that makes changes to this official release. If you want to place the
Forms Library in your own archive you can do so but please use the original
version and indicate where it came from. Also, please remove old releases when
the new one arrives.
------------------------ Converting from 1.2 to 1.3. ---------------------------
---------------------------
For those who have not yet converted their programs from version 1.2 to
version 1.3 there is a utility in our archive that does this (success not
fully guaranteed). It can be found in the file conv12to13.tar.Z. It needs perl
to work.
--------------------------------- Release 1.4. ---------------------------------
------------
I am currently working (a little bit) on release 1.4. Changes made so far
include:
- <Tab> now also switches between input fields. This allows the combined use
of input fields and a Return Button.
- A class Timer will be added (see below).
- It is now possible to place forms at a fixed position or at the last
position they had before being removed.
- Double clicking now works in the file selector.
- A simple Counter type was created with one button on each side.
Any suggestions for other changes are, as always, very welcome.
--------------------------------- Class Timer ----------------------------------
-----------
A new object class Timer will be added in release 1.4. Both visible and hidden
timers can be created. Visible timers will blink when they are expired. All
timers will be returned to the application program when expired such that the
program can take action. For example, to display message form for 2 seconds,
add a hidden timer tim to the form and use:
fl_set_timer(tim,2.0);
fl_show_form(form,FL_PLACE_CENTER,FALSE,NULL);
do obj = fl_do_forms(); while (obj != tim);
fl_hide_form(form);
For those of you that already want to use this class now, get the file
timer.tar.Z from our archive.
------------------------------ Using your own classes --------------------------
----------------------
Contrary to what is indicated in the documentation it is bad habbit to add you
own object classes to the forms library itself. It is much better to keep them
separate from the library, i.e., let them have their own .h files and include
these when using the class and load them while linking. In this way your
programs remain compatible and you can upgrade to new releases more easily.
--------------------------------- Applications ---------------------------------
------------
A number of small application have been developed using the Forms Library.
They will be placed in the archive such that you can use them or look at them
as examples. Currenty the following applications exist:
itool.tar.Z
An image processing tool. It is an interface to all the
programs available in /usr/sbin, created using the FORMS library.
matedit.tar.Z
A material editor. Using a form with sliders you can set all
material properties and see them immediately on a flying glass.
You can then save the definition in C-format.
scicalc.tar.Z
moving.tar.Z
gobang.tar.Z
The applications normally provided with the package. In future
releases they will no longer be provided with the package.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark H. Overmars, Dept. of Computer Science, Utrecht University
Padualaan 14, P.O. Box 80.089, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
Telephone: +31-30-533736 | UUCP: ...!uunet!mcsun!hp4nl!ruuinf!markov
Telefax : +31-30-513791 | Email: markov@cs.ruu.nl [131.211.80.5]