X Window System core protocol: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:04, 4 January 2021

Revision as of 23:09, 11 January 2022

Line 270:

The X Window System core protocol does not mandate over inter-client communication and does not specify how windows are used to form the visual elements that are common in graphical user interfaces ([[Button (computing)|button]]s, [[Menu (computing)|menu]]s, etc.). Graphical user interface elements are defined by client libraries realizing [[widget toolkit]]s. Inter-client communication is covered by other standards such as the [[ICCCM]] and [[freedesktop]] specifications.<ref name="free-desk" />

Inter-client communication is relevant to [[X Window selection|selections, cut buffers, and drag-and-drop]], which are the methods used by a user to transfer data from a window to another. Since the windows may be controlled by different programs, a protocol for exchanging this data is necessary. Inter-client communication is also relevant to [[X window manager]]s, which are programs that control the appearance of the windows and the general [[look-and-feel]] of the graphical user interface.

=== Session management ===
Yet another issue where inter-client communication is to some extent relevant is that of [[X session manager|session management]].

How a user session starts is another issue that is not covered by the core protocol. Usually, this is done automatically by the [[X display manager (program type)|X display manager]]. The user can however also start a session manually running the [[xinit]] or [[startx]] programs.