From: harden@ics.com (Aub Harden)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.x.motif
Subject: Re: motif GUI builder
Summary: BX, an interface builder, requires no proprietary libraries
Keywords: GUI Builder Motif
Date: 6 Aug 92 18:20:08 GMT
Expires: September 1, 1992
Reply-To: harden@ics.com (Aub Harden)
Followup-To: harden@ics.com (Aub Harden)
Organization: Integrated Computer Solutions, Inc., Cambridge MA

In article <ROBC.92Aug4095632@rocket.sanders.lockheed.com> robc@rocket.sanders.lockheed.com (Rob Costantino) writes:
>I am looking for a good Graphical User Interface Builder that
>produces a motif interface and outputs C or C++ code on a Sparc...


Builder Xcessory (BX) is a tool that will let you build and test your
interface, and output stand-alone C (ANSI or K&R) or a combination of
C and UIL.  You don't need any run-time modules or proprietary
libraries.  (Even the BX save format is standard- UIL.)

Demos are available, contact info@ics.com or call the number below.
BX is supported for Sun, DEC, IBM, HP, SGI, Apple (A/UX), DG, and MIPS.

Below is a general description of BX, version 2.5-

The Builder Xcessory is a tool with which to build graphical user interfaces.
BX specifically supports the X Window System and OSF/Motif, though users may
extend the tool by adding widgets from other widget sets.  BX will generate C
(ANSI or K&R) and UIL (the Motif User Interface Language), and as an option,
will also generate Ada (available fall '92).

All code generated by BX is standard, requiring no proprietary libraries or
run-time modules.  No new languages are required, and all code is easily read
and maintainable by hand, if necessary.

BX consists of three primary windows; the Palette, Browser, and Resource
Editor.  The Palette presents the user with the Motif widgets, any
user-supplied widgets, and user-defined collections of widgets for use in the
interface being constructed.  The Browser displays the instance hierarchy of
the interface as it's being built- as a tree structure, series of scrolled
lists, or in outline form.  The Browser also contains the BX main menus.  The
Resource Editor lets the user examine and edit the various widget attributes,
such as color, font, geometry management, and callbacks.

BX is used much as one would use a paint or draw program, choosing objects
from a palette and placing them on the screen with the mouse.  'Drag and Drop'
manipulation is used extensively throughout the tool, enhancing the ease of
use.  Static layout of the interface, the importance of which is frequently
downplayed, is rendered almost trivial with the WYSIWYG nature of BX.  Dynamic
behaviour is given equal attention.  In an X interface, dynamic behaviour is
specified with the 'callback' mechanism.  BX will generate stubs for the
callbacks. BX also provides a number of pre-written callback routines which 
control common dynamic behaviours.  Source for these routines is written
out along with the stubs for other callbacks. The BX 'Play' mode allows the 
user to test these routines and the application's geometry management without 
leaving the BX session.  For more complex or specialized behaviours, BX is 
fully integrated with the CodeCenter (formerly Saber-C) C programming 
environment from CenterLine Software.  CodeCenter provides a C interpreter, 
source and object level debugger, code browsers and more.

-aub
 harden@ics.com

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*  201 Broadway                         |    know about X but were    *
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Newsgroups: comp.windows.x.motif