Chapter 3: Window Functions

In the X Window System, a window is a rectangular area on the screen that lets you view graphic output. Client applications can display overlapping and nested windows on one or more screens that are driven by X servers on one or more machines. Clients who want to create windows must first connect their program to the X server by calling XOpenDisplay(). This chapter begins with a discussion of visual types and window attributes. The chapter continues with a discussion of the Xlib functions you can use to:

This chapter also identifies the window actions that may generate events.

Note that it is vital that your application conform to the established conventions for communicating with window managers for it to work well with the various window managers in use (see section "Client to Window Manager Communication"). Toolkits generally adhere to these conventions for you, relieving you of the burden. Toolkits also often supersede many functions in this chapter with versions of their own. Refer to the documentation for the toolkit you are using for more information.

Next: Visual Types

Christophe Tronche, [email protected]