Common Desktop Environment

The Common Desktop Environment is the new default user interface under Digital UNIX Version 4.0.

The Common Desktop Environment (CDE) provides an easy method of interacting with the Digital UNIX operating system. It is a jointly developed graphical user interface based on industry standards which include the X Consortium's X Window System and the Open Software Foundation's Motif user interface. CDE is an X/Open standard which provides a consistent look and feel as well as common APIs across multivendor platforms.

CDE presents a visual desktop that you can customize. Using the CDE interface, you can use the mouse or keyboard to navigate and interact with applications. The desktop itself offers a Front Panel, which is a graphical display at the bottom of the screen area that provides access to applications, printers, and frequently used objects, including online help.

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In addition to user services, CDE provides everything needed to implement fully integrated applications. Because CDE is standards based, such integration work is transportable to other platforms that comply with this standard. For example, the help files and the means to access them apply across all compliant platforms. For more information, see the Common Desktop Environment: Programmer's Overview.

The CDE Front Panel displays the tools that you use to start applications, manage tasks in a desktop session, or change workspaces. Each tool is represented by an icon that indicates its purpose. A workspace is the screen itself, which includes the Front Panel. A tool on the Front Panel is provided to switch between different workspaces.

The tools available on the Front Panel are described in Table 8-1. For detailed information on the use of each tool, see the Common Desktop Environment: User's Guide.

Table 8-1. Front Panel Tools

Application	Use of Application
Clock	Displays the time of day in analog format. Clicking on this tool does not perform an action.
Calendar	Displays the current month and day. Use this application to schedule appointments and To Do Items, set reminders, browse other calendars, and schedule group appointments. Dropping an appointment file on the Calendar tool adds the appointment to your calendar database.
File Manager	Provides a view of directories (folders) and files. Dropping a directory on the File Manager tool opens a view of that directory.
Text Editor	Opens a Text Editor window where you can create letters or notes. Dropping a file on the Text Editor icon opens that file in a Text Editor window.
Mailer	Starts the desktop Mailer application. Use this application to send, receive, save, and forward mail messages. Dropping a file on this tool displays the contents of the file in a New Message window.
Lock	Pauses a session indefinitely. Pausing a session locks the workstation display, but applications continue to run. To resume a session, enter your password.
Workspace Switches	Changes workspaces. Use this switch to move to different work areas. There are four workspaces by default.
Busy Light	Indicates that an action is being performed. For example, when you start an application, the light blinks. Once the call to the application is complete, the busy light stops blinking. Clicking on this icon does not produce an action.
Printer	Displays the status of the default printer. Dropping a file on the Printer icon prints that file on the default printer.
Exit	Starts the logout process for a session.
Style Manager	Opens the Style Manager application. Use this application to change the characteristics of your environment.
Application Manager	Starts the Application Manager, which is a container for applications and other tools available on your system.
Help Manager	Displays the top level of available online help information. Dropping a master help volume file (`*.sdl`) onto the Help Manager opens a help viewer window and displays the contents of that volume.
Trash Can	Opens the Trash Can application. Use this application to delete files. Dropping a file on the Trash Can tool moves the file to a discard directory.