NXWidgets
=========
In order to better support NuttX based platforms, a special graphical user
interface has been created called NXWidgets. NXWidgets is written in C++
and integrates seamlessly with the NuttX NX graphics subsystem in order
to provide graphic objects, or "widgets," in the NX Graphics Subsystem
Some of the features of NXWidgets include:
o Conservative C++
NXWidgets is written entirely in C++ but using only selected “embedded
friendly” C++ constructs that are fully supported under NuttX. No
additional C++ support libraries are required.
o NX Integration
NXWidgets integrate seamlessly with the NX graphics system. Think of the
X server under Linux … the NX graphics system is like a tiny X server
that provides windowing under NuttX. By adding NXWidgets, you can support
graphics objects like buttons and text boxes in the NX windows and toolbars.
o Small Footprint
NXWidgets is tailored for use MCUs in embedded applications. It is ideally
suited for mid- and upper-range of most MCU families. A complete NXWidgets
is possible in as little as 40Kb of FLASH and maybe 4Kb of SRAM.
o Output Devices
NXWidgets will work on the high-end frame buffer devices as well as on LCDs
connected via serial or parallel ports to a small MCU.
o Input Devices
NXWidgets will accept position and selection inputs from a mouse or a
touchscreen. It will also support character input from a keyboard such as a
USB keyboard. NXWidgets supports on very special widget called CKeypad that
will provide keyboard input via an on-screen keypad that can be operated
via mouse or touchscreen inputs.
o Many Graphic Objects
Some of the graphic objects supported by NXWidgets include labels, buttons,
text boxes, button arrays, check boxes, cycle buttons, images, sliders,
scrollable list boxes, progress bars, and more.
Note: Many of the fundamental classed in NxWidgets derive from the Antony
Dzeryn's "Woopsi" project: http://woopsi.org/ which also has a BSD style
license. See the COPYING file for details.
Directory Structure
===================
Kconfig
This is a Kconfig file that should be provided at apps/NxWidgets/Kconfig.
When copied to that location, it will be used by the NuttX configuration
systems to configure settings for NxWidgets and NxWM
libnxwidgets
The source code, header files, and build environment for NxWidgets is
provided in this directory.
UnitTests
Provides a collection of unit-level tests for many of the individual
widgets provided by libnxwidgets.
nxwm
This directory holds a tiny desktop for small embedded devices with a
touchscreen,. NxWM. NxWM is true multiple window manager but only one
window is displayed at a time. This simplification helps performance on
LCD based products (in the same way that a tiled window manager helps)
and also makes the best use of small displays. It is awkward from a
human factors point-of-view trying to manage multiple windows on a
small display.
The window manager consists of a task bar with icons representing the
running tasks. If you touch the task's icon, it comes to the top. Each
window has a toolbar with (1) a title, (2) a minimize button, and (3) a
stop application button using the standard icons for these things.
There is always a start window that is available in the task bar. When
you touch the start window icon, it brings up the start window containing
icons representing all of the available applications. If you touch an
icon in the start window, it will be started and added to the task bar.
There is a base class that defines an add-on application and an
interface that supports incorporation of new application. The only
application that is provided is NxTerm. This is an NSH session
running in a window. You should be able to select the NX icon in the start
menu and create as many NSH sessions in windows as you want. (keybard input
still comes through serial).
Note 1: NwWM requires NuttX-7.19 or above to work with the current
NxWidgets-1.18 release.
