It so happened that the Windows operating system has become the most popular of all. In 2014, a study was conducted, during which it turned out that almost 90% of personal computers work on this particular OS. Therefore, we will consider window elements using Windows as an example.
operating system
Probably for good reason, when translated into Russian, the operating system is called "Windows." And it is hardly a coincidence that the “window” is the main concept in the interface. For the first time they learned about this OS back in 1985. Then the first version appeared.
In general, at first the attempts were not very successful. The first versions did not look like complete systems. They were all a set of settings for DOS. Despite this, they were able to adjust the operating modes of processors, supported multitasking, and standardized interfaces.
Each such system consisted of three modules. The first managed memory, ran executable files, loaded dynamic libraries. The second was responsible for the graphics, and the third worked with windows. Their elements have since expanded significantly, although the main parts still remain.
Window
In general, this concept can be considered from the point of view of any operating system. In general, almost every one has the same parts. The window in our case refers to the window interface. In addition to indirect elements, it can have those that directly control the window. One of the important characteristics of windows is the possibility of overlapping. That is, one can be located on top of the second.
Interface
What is a window interface? This is a method that helps organize the full-screen interface of the application. Each part that enters there is located in a window, its sub-screen space. This space can be placed anywhere on the main screen.
This method can be implemented using graphical and text mode. But it was the operating systems that brought popularity to this way of organizing information, including Windows and Mac. The window interface is now one of the most popular types of user interface.
History
For the first time, the main elements of the window and the window as a whole appeared in 1974. Then all the research took place at the Xerox PARC center. Developments were designed to develop the Xerox Alto system and the Smalltalk language. The first options already had borders, names, although there were no buttons for managing windows themselves. In the next environment, Xerox, the window interface has become further development. The very first successful project that implemented everything possible and what we are dealing with now was the Apple Macintosh in 1984.
The properties
The window interface is a unified object. Each window does not differ from the previous one, unless, of course, we are talking about various programs. A rectangular window that has a frame. Along the perimeter there is a color scheme that differs from the background of the window itself. A title or name is displayed at the top, and there are also controls.
It is possible to make windows transparent and translucent. Translucence through the frame or other windows is observed. In general, depending on the operating system, graphically, the window elements are different. Therefore, it can be both a separately launched program, and integrated into another environment.
Diversity
The window interface and its elements may vary. For example, the classic type is represented by the use of elements for different tasks. For example, to organize a menu, a message box or dialog.
There are applications that fully implement the window interface. Such programs usually invoke separate windows for each subtask. They can work simultaneously with several documents, placing them in a separate block (subwindow).
Base
So, if we have a window, regardless of the operating system, we can see a number of elements. You can select the contents of the window. If, for example, you take the “My Computer” window, then the disks, folders, the side directory and the toolbar will be considered content.
There are window controls. For Windows, starting with version "95", they are the same. There is a window menu on the left side of the title. In the upper right corner is the Minimize icon, which “hides” the window on the taskbar, “Maximize” - shows a previously hidden window or switches to full screen mode, “Close” - terminates the program or closes a separate window. If you take the OS X operating system, then all these buttons are in the left corner.
Further, the window has a frame. It helps to separate the contents of one block from another. Over time, the frame began to adjust the size of the window. Drag and drop in this way was not available initially. If you do not like the frame, you can replace it with a shadow. Visually, such blocks will still be different from each other.
The next element is designed for resizing. It is located below. in the right corner. But in some blocks it is not. And the last major element is the window title. Most often, this is the name of the folder, document, program, etc. If the block does not have the ability to freely drag and drop, then the header can be an assistant in this.
Other items
In addition to the basic elements, variable blocks may appear in windows. For example, you have seen the address bar more than once. Usually it is located when you open the folder. Since the system has a hierarchical structure, some child folder may be far away in the system. When you open it, you will see a long address.
If you continue to consider the folder, then next to the address bar there is a search. It is needed to search for a file specifically in this window. On the other side of the address bar are the forward and back arrows. If you are "traveling" through the system, this way just return to this or that area.
Below these window elements there is a control panel. She usually has all sorts of tools. Here you can organize folders, add to the library, set up sharing, burn to an optical disc or create a new folder with one click. At the very bottom is usually statistical information. For example, how many folders in this folder, how many files, their size, etc.
Do not forget about such an element of the application window or folder as the scroll bar. It is almost everywhere (folders, files, browsers, programs, etc.). Usually it is located along the entire right border of the window. Initially, it may not be.
For example, if you open a text editor and it is empty, all information is placed in one area. But as soon as you fill out a page or a couple, a scroll bar will appear on the right. A slider “lives” on it, which indicates the part displayed on the screen and its position in the document. To move, you need to hold the slider. If you want to do this gradually, use the up and down arrows on the strip.
Traffic
Window elements are an important component of them. But it is also important to understand what opportunities these blocks have. As mentioned earlier, this is a move. If the window interface is used, then most of the windows can really be moved. In words, this seems like something complicated. But in fact, this is the usual movement of windows on the desktop. It is carried out by capturing the header or frame. Through the menu, you can transport blocks using the keyboard.
In order for the window to appear in the middle, nothing needs to be done. This is configured by default by the system itself. But you can change this in the settings. Perhaps you want them to open in steps or randomly, or in a specific place, for example, in the lower left corner.
If you ever moved windows, you also know about the sticking effect. For example, you had to open two folders at the same time and stretch them half a screen. When one occupied the first half, the second “magnetizing” occupied the second. This is because there is an area near the border of each frame, and if the border of the second frame gets there, they both “stick”.
Programs
The more complex the program, the correspondingly more window elements. Word, Excel and similar software have many different parts, limited by the frame. But there are universal elements among them. For example, there is also a scroll bar, a frame around the perimeter. At the top, you can find the title, and on the right corner - the buttons "Minimize", "Maximize" and "Close".
At the bottom of the frame is statistical information: document pages, word count, language, markup and scaling. Since both programs are from the same manufacturer, the elements of the Excel window are practically the same. The difference can only be in their functional purpose. But if you do not consider each tool in detail, you can select a large panel of options, which is in both text editors.
As usual, on the frame in the upper right corner there is a menu that opens a number of options, and next to it is a set of quick processes: saving and “back / forward”. Below is the main unit with tools. Well, the main element of the program window of this type is the workspace. In the case of Word, this is a sheet of paper, while Excel is a table.