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Prima::DockManager

advanced dockable widgets

"Prima::DockManager" contains classes that implement additional functionality within the dockable widgets paradigm.

The module introduces two new dockable widget classes: "Prima::DockManager::Panelbar", a general purpose dockable container for variable-sized widgets; and "Prima::DockManager::Toolbar", a dockable container for fixed-size command widgets, mostly push buttons. The command widgets, nested in a toolbar, can also be docked.

"Prima::DockManager" class is an application-oriented class in a way that ( mostly ) the only instance of it is needed in the program. It is derived from "Prima::Component" and therefore is never visualized. The class instance is stored in "instance" property of all module classes to serve as a docking hierarchy root. Through the document, instance term is referred to "Prima::DockManager" class instance.

The module by itself is not enough to make a docking-aware application work effectively. The reader is urged to look at examples/dock.pl example code, which demonstrates the usage and capabilities of the module.

A toolbar widget class. The toolbar has a dual nature; it can dock and accept docking widgets simultaneously. In the scope of "Prima::DockManager", the toolbar hosts command widget, mostly push buttons.

The toolbar consists of two widgets. The external dockable widget is implemented in "Prima::DockManager::Toolbar", and the internal dock in "Prima::DockManager::ToolbarDocker" classes.

Selects the behavior of a toolbar when all of its command widgets are undocked. If 1, the toolbar is automatically destroyed. If 0 it calls visible(0).
Pointer to "Prima::DockManager::ToolbarDocker" instance.

See also "Prima::DockManager::ToolbarDocker::parentDocker".

"Prima::DockManager" instance, the docking hierarchy root.

Internal class, implements a dock widget for command widgets, while serves as a client in a dockable toolbar, which is a "Prima::LinearDockerShuttle" descendant. When its size is changed due an eventual rearrange of its docked widgets, also resizes the toolbar.

"Prima::DockManager" instance, the docking hierarchy root.
Pointer to "Prima::DockManager::Toolbar" instance. When in the docked state, "parentDocker" value is always equals to "owner".

See also "Prima::DockManager::Toolbar::childDocker".

Calculates the minimal rectangle that encloses all docked widgets and returns its extensions.
Called when size is changed to resizes the owner widget. If it is in the docked state, the size change might result in change of position or docking state.

The class is derived from "Prima::LinearDockerShuttle", and is different only in that "instance" property is introduced, and the external shuttle can be resized interactively.

The class is to be used as a simple host to sizeable widgets. The user can dispose of the panel bar by clicking close button on the external shuttle.

"Prima::DockManager" instance, the docking hierarchy root.

A binder class, contains set of functions that groups toolbars, panels, and command widgets together under the docking hierarchy.

The manager servers several purposes. First, it is a command state holder: the command widgets, mostly buttons, usually are in enabled or disabled state in different life stages of a program. The manager maintains the enabled/disabled state by assigning each command an unique scalar value ( farther and in the code referred as CLSID ). The toolbars can be created with set of command widgets, referred via these CLSIDs. The same is valid for the panels - although they do not host command widgets, the widgets that they do host can also be created indirectly via CLSID identifier. In addition to CLSID, the commands can be grouped by sections. Both CLSID and group descriptor scalars are defined by the programmer.

Second, "create_manager" method presents a standard configuration widget, that allows rearranging of normally non-dockable command widgets, by presenting a full set of available commands to the user as icons. Dragging the icons to toolbars, dock widgets or merely outside the configuration widget automatically creates the corresponding command widget. The notable moment here is that the command widgets are not required to know anything about dragging and docking; any "Prima::Widget" descendant can be used as a command widget.

Third, it helps maintaining the toolbars and panels visibility when the main window is hidden or restored. "windowState" method hides or shows the toolbars and panels effectively.

Fourth, it serves as a docking hierarchy root. All docking sessions begin from "Prima::DockManager" object, which although does not provide docking capabilities itself ( it is "Prima::Component" descendant ), redirects the docking requests to the lower-level dock widgets.

Fifth, it provides number of helper methods and notifications, and enforces use or "fingerprint" property by all dockable widgets. This property has default value of 0xFFFF ( defined in "Prima::Docks" ). The module contains the fingerprint "dmfp::XXX" constants with value greater than this, so the toolbars and panels are not docked to a dock widget with the default configuration. The base constant set is:

        fdmp::Tools      ( 0x0F000) - dock the command widgets
        fdmp::Toolbar    ( 0x10000) - dock the toolbars
        fdmp::LaunchPad  ( 0x20000) - allows widgets recycling

All this functionality is demonstrated in examples/dock.pl example.

A hash of boolean values, with keys of CLSID scalars. If value is 1, the command is available. If 0, the command is disabled. Changes to this property are reflected in the visible command widgets, which are enabled or disabled immediately. Also, "CommandChange" notification is triggered.
The property is read-only, and always returns 0xFFFFFFFF, to allow landing for all dockable widgets. In case when a finer granulation is needed, the default "fingerprint" values of toolbars and panels can be reset.
If 1, the command widgets can be interactively dragged, created and destroyed. This property is usually operated together with "create_manager" widget. If 0, the command widgets cannot be dragged.

Default value: 0

Brings to front all toolbars and panels. To be used inside a callback code of a main window, that has the toolbars and panels attached to: 

        onActivate => sub { $dock_manager-> activate }
Returns an unique name for an automatically created toolbar, like "Toolbar1", "Toolbar2" etc.
Enabled or disables commands from CLSIDs array. The changes are reflected in the visible command widgets, which are enabled or disabled immediately. Also, "CommandChange" notification is triggered.
Inserts two widgets into OWNER with PROFILE parameters: a listbox with command section groups, displayed as items, that usually correspond to the predefined toolbar names, and a notebook that displays the command icons. The notebook pages are interactively selected by the listbox navigation.

The icons, dragged from the notebook, behave as dockable widgets: they can be landed upon a toolbar, or any other dock widget, given it matches the "fingerprint" ( by default "dmfp::LaunchPad|dmfp::Toolbar|dmfp::Tools"). "dmfp::LaunchPad" constant allows the recycling; if a widget is dragged back onto the notebook, it is destroyed.

Returns two widgets, the listbox and the notebook.

PROFILE recognizes the following keys:

Position where the widgets are to be inserted. Default value is 0,0.
Size of the widget insertion area. By default the widgets occupy all OWNER interior.
Custom parameters, passed to the listbox.
Custom parameteres, passed to the notebook.
Creates a dockable panel of a previously registered CLSID by "register_panel". PROFILE recognizes the following keys:
profile HASH
Hash of parameters, passed to "create()" of the panel widget class. Before passing it is merged with the set of parameters, registered by "register_panel". The "profile" hash takes the precedence.
Constains extra options, passed to "Prima::DockManager::Panelbar" widget. Before the usage it is merged with the set of parameters, registered by "register_panel".

NB: The "dock" key here contains a reference to a desired dock widget. If "dock" set to "undef", the panel is created in the non-docked state.

Example:

        $dock_manager-> create_panel( $CLSID, 
                dockerProfile => { dock => $main_window }},
                profile       => { backColor => cl::Green });
Inserts a command widget, previously registered with CLSID by "register_tool", into OWNER widget with X1 - Y2 coordinates. For automatic maintenance of enable/disable state of command widgets OWNER is expected to be a toolbar. If it is not, the maintenance must be performed separately, for example, by "CommandChange" event.
Creates a new toolbar of "Prima::DockManager::Toolbar" class. The following PROFILE options are recognized:
Sets "autoClose" property of the toolbar.

Default value is 1 if "name" options is set, 0 otherwise.

Contain a reference to a desired DOCK widget. If "undef", the toolbar is created in the non-docked state.
Parameters passed to "Prima::DockManager::Toolbar" as creation properties.

NB: The "dock" key here contains a reference to a desired dock widget. If "dock" set to "undef", the panel is created in the non-docked state.

Selects rectangle of the "Prima::DockManager::ToolbarDocker" instance in the dock widget ( if docked ) or the screen ( if non-docked ) coordinates.
Parameters passed to "Prima::DockManager::ToolbarDocker" as creation properties.
Sets "vertical" property of the toolbar.
Selects visibility state of the toolbar.
Returns class record hash, registered under CLSID, or "undef" if the class is not registered. The hash format contains the following keys:
Widget class
profile HASH
Creation parameters passed to "create" when the widget is created.
If 1, the class belongs to a control widget. If 0, the class represents a panel client widget.
Saved value of the last used dock widget
Saved coordinates of the widget
Return reference to a panel widget represented by CLSID scalar, or "undef" if none found.
A helper function; maps all panel names into a structure, ready to feed into "Prima::AbstractMenu::items" property ( see Prima::Menu ). The action member of the menu item record is set to CALLBACK scalar.
Sets the visibility of a panel, referred by CLSID scalar. If VISIBLE is 0, a panel is destroyed; if 1, new panel instance is created.
Returns all visible panel widgets in an array.
Accepts pairs of scalars, where each first item is a panel CLSID and second is the default dock widget. Checks for panel visibility, and creates the panels that are not visible.

The method is useful in program startup, when some panels have to be visible from the beginning.

Accepts array of hashes, where each array item describes a toolbar and a default set of command widgets. Checks for toolbar visibility, and creates the toolbars that are not visible.

The method recognizes the following PROFILES options:

The default dock widget.
Array of CLSIDs corresponding to the command widgets to be inserted into the toolbar.
Selects toolbar name.
Selects the toolbar position relative to the dock ( if "dock" is specified ) or to the screen ( if "dock" is not specified ).

The method is useful in program startup, when some panels have to be visible from the beginning.

Registers a panel client class and set of parameters to be associated with CLSID scalar. PROFILE must contain the following keys:
Client widget class
String, displayed in the panel title bar
Hash of parameters, passed to "Prima::DockManager::Panelbar".
Hash of parameters, passed to the client widget.
Registers a control widget class and set of parameters to be associated with CLSID scalar. PROFILE must be set the following keys:
Client widget class
profile HASH
Hash of parameters, passed to the control widget.
Returns a pointer to a toolbar of NAME, or "undef" if none found.
A helper function; maps all toolbar names into a structure, ready to feed into "Prima::AbstractMenu::items" property ( see Prima::Menu ). The action member of the menu item record is set to CALLBACK scalar.
Sets the visibility of a TOOLBAR. If VISIBLE is 0, the toolbar is hidden; if 1, it is shown.
Returns all toolbar widgets in an array.
Mimics interface of "Prima::Window::windowState", and maintains visibility of toolbars and panels. If the parameter is "ws::Minimized", the toolbars and panels are hidden. On any other parameter these are shown.

To be used inside a callback code of a main window, that has the toolbars and panels attached to:

        onWindowState => sub { $dock_manager-> windowState( $_[1] ) }

A generic event, triggered by a command widget when the user activates it. It can also be called by other means.

CLSID is the widget identifier.

Called when "commands" property changes or "commands_enable" method is invoked.
Triggered when a panel is created or destroyed by the user.
Triggered when a toolbar is created, shown, hidden, or destroyed by the user.

The package simplifies creation of "Prima::SpeedButton" command widgets.

Builds a hash with parameters, ready to feed "Prima::DockManager::register_tool" for registering a "Prima::SpeedButton" class instance with PROFILE parameters.

IMAGE is a path to a image file, loaded and stored in the registration hash. IMAGE provides an extended syntax for indicating a frame index, if the image file is multiframed: the frame index is appended to the path name with ":" character prefix.

CLSID scalar is not used; it is returned so the method result can directly be passed into "register_tool" method.

Returns two scalars: CLSID and the registration hash.

Example:

        $dock_manager-> register_tool( 
                Prima::DockManager::S::SpeedButton::class( "myicon.gif:2", 
                q(CLSID::Logo), hint => 'Logo image' ));

Dmitry Karasik, <dmitry@karasik.eu.org>.

Prima, Prima::Widget, Prima::Docks, examples/dock.pl