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Date:2011-05-13T16:21:42.000000Z git-svn-id: https://svn.eiffel.com/eiffel-org/trunk@894 abb3cda0-5349-4a8f-a601-0c33ac3a8c38
80 lines
4.2 KiB
Plaintext
80 lines
4.2 KiB
Plaintext
[[Property:title|EiffelRibbon]]
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[[Property:weight|2]]
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[[Property:uuid|2f24957c-7fdc-f918-8c0d-37a9ef525508]]
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{{UnderConstruction}}
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=Introduction=
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EiffelRibbon is a library of classes with an associated tool which allows the integration of the Microsoft Windows "Ribbon" into graphical user interfaces programmed with [[EiffelVision 2]] and targeted to Microsoft Windows. The ribbon is part of a [http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa338198.aspx#office2007uifordevelopers_detaileddesignofthenewuisystem revamped user interface approach] introduced by Microsoft with the 2007 release of the Microsoft Office applications. So you've experienced the ribbon if you've used Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or Excel from 2007 or later.
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[[Image:EiffelRibbon window 01|A window with a ribbon]]
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Figure 1: A window with a ribbon.
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The EiffelRibbon library contains the classes that are used to implement the ribbon facilities. The classes in the EiffelRibbon library all have class names beginning "EV_", the default prefix for EiffelVision 2 classes. So the EiffelRibbon classes can be seen as an extension to the EiffelVision 2 library. If you've used EiffelVision 2 to create applications with graphical user interfaces, then the EiffelRibbon class won't look unfamiliar to you. However, unlike other EiffelVision 2 classes, the EiffelRibbon classes only work in applications targeted to Microsoft Windows.
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To gain a detailed understanding of the goals of Microsoft's Ribbon technology including some guidelines on designing effective ribbons, see [http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc872782.aspx the '''Ribbons''' page] on Microsoft's MSDN site.
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The EiffelRibbon design tool helps you configure a ribbon in much the same way that [[EiffelBuild|EiffelBuild]] (ES Builder) helps you layout a GUI application.
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=System requirements=
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To use the EiffelRibbon library and tools you must have:
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# Windows 7
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# The Microsoft C compiler provided with either:
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## Windows SDK 7.0 or greater
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## Visual Studio 2008 or greater
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=The EiffelRibbon design tool=
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The EiffelRibbon design tool allows you to design a ribbon graphically, then generate the ribbon markup file and the Eiffel classes necessary to implement your design.
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[[Image:EiffelRibbon design tool 01|EiffelRibbon design tool]]
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Figure 2: An EiffelRibbon project open in the EiffelRibbon design tool.
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The interface of the design tool mimics that of [[EiffelBuild|EiffelBuild]]. That is, the interface contains three panes that have counterparts in EiffelBuild:
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# Type selector: A list of all the elements available for use in a ribbon.
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# Layout constructor: A structured view of the organization of the elements used in a particular ribbon design.
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# Object editor: The properties of the ribbon element which is currently selected in the Layout constructor.
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So, if you've used EiffelBuild, the the EiffelRibbon design tool should seem quite familiar to you.
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The typical usage of the design tool is much like the typical usage of EiffelBuild.
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* Create a new project ( <code lang="text">File ->New Project...</code> ) and choose a location for your EiffelRibbon project.
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* Configure the ribbon by adding elements, name the elements, and choose icons for buttons.
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* Save the project.
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* Generate the code.
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* Use EiffelStudio to compile the generated code.
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=Current state of development=
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Initial distribution:
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:The EiffelRibbon library is not usable directly. The EiffelRibbon design tool allows you to design a ribbon and will generate code that relies on the EiffelRibbon library.
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:A class <code>EV_RIBBON_TITLED_WINDOW</code> is provided with the library. <code>EV_RIBBON_TITLED_WINDOW</code> is a descendant of the standard EiffelVision 2 class <code>EV_TITLED_WINDOW</code>. The ribbon classes generated by EiffelRibbon tool can be added only to instances of <code>EV_RIBBON_TITLED_WINDOW</code>.
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==Known issues and limitations==
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Initial distribution:
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* Not all elements shown in the Type selector can actually be used in a design. For the unusable elements, pick-and-drop is disabled.
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* Resizing policy is not yet supported.
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* It is necessary to freeze the target system each time the EiffelRibbon code is regenerated.
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* When using EV_RICH_TEXT within a ribbon, the EV_RICH_TEXT may not be refreshed right after the ribbon has been displayed.
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