Importance

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Abstract

A computer-based method of sizing and positioning controls within a window is disclosed. The method divides a window, and in particular a dialog window, into rectangular regions, referred to as frames. A logical description of the relative positions and sizes of the controls and frames within the dialog window is specified. The method automatically determines the coordinates of each control and positions the controls accordingly during execution of the computer program that is displaying the dialog window. The method is performed in two stages: a specification stage and a layout stage. In the specification stage, a dialog window is subdivided into multiple nested rectangular frames. The set of frames for a dialog window forms a hierarchical tree of frames. In the layout stage, the method traverses the tree of frames twice. The first traversal of the frame tree occurs in postorder sequence, and determines the minimum required size of each frame. The second traversal of the tree occurs in preorder sequence, selectively expanding or repositioning frames within the available space. When the method completes the determination for the Leaf Frames, the final coordinates of each control are known. The method then sets the coordinates of each control accordingly.

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First Claim