1 INTRODUCTION

The software described in this manual is intended to be used in the ESO VLT project by ESO and authorized external contractors only.

While every precaution has been taken in the development of the software and in the preparation of this documentation ESO assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damage resulting

from the use of the software or the information contained herein.

1.1 PURPOSE

This document is the user manual to build VLT Graphical User Interfaces (GUI)

The manual requires :

· A basic knowledge of UNIX and has to be familiar with the usage of OSF/Motif applications.

· Knowledge of Tcl/Tk programming for advanced user interface applications.

In addition to the Introduction section, this manual contains the following sections:

VLT Look & Feel. Describes how to apply the ESO/GUIF Common Conventions taking into account the presentation requirements specific to telescope and instruments.

User's Guide. Describes the functionalities currently available to design VLT GUIs

Reference. Short description of the main functionalities.

1.2 SCOPE

The document is limited to the following parts :

- VLT Look & Feel. Describes how to apply the ESO/GUIF Common Conventions taking into
account the presentation requirements specific to telescope and instruments.

- User Interface libraries : These libraries contain a set of class widgets and general purpose procedures.

- The tool to design VLT control panels. This part describes how to use the version 2.11 of the Tcl/Tk Panel Editor.

Future versions should include :

- A guide on how to develop more complex GUIs , according to the Instrumentation requirements.

- Strategies to solve possible problems in `performance'.

1.3 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS

The following documents, of the exact issue shown, form a part of this document to the extent specified herein. In the event of conflict between the documents referenced herein and the contents of this document, the contents of this document shall be considered as a superseding requirement.

[1] GEN-SPE-ESO-00000-0266, 1.0 10/05/93 --- ESO Graphical User Interface Common conventions

[2] VLT-SPE-ESO-17210-0225, 1.0 02/04/93 --- VLT CCS-UIF Functional Specification

[3] TCL and TK Toolkit - John K. Ousterhout - Addison Wesley

[4] Practical Programming in Tcl and Tk - Brent B. Welch - Prentice Hall

1.4 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

The following abbreviations and acronyms are used in this document:

<B1> Mouse-Left Button

<B2> Mouse-Middle Button

<B3> Mouse-Right Button

GUI Graphical User Interface

itcl Incremental Tcl

itk Incremental Tk

N/A Not Applicable

Tcl/Tk Tool Command Language Toolkit

TBC To Be Confirmed

SW Software

TBD To Be Defined

UIF (Portable) User Interface (Toolkit)

VLT Very Large Telescope

WS Workstation

1.5 GLOSSARY

Dynamic Symbol
An object used to change the outlook of graphics to external data, such as current values in the database.

Graphic Primitive
An element used to draw schematics, such as lines, circles, rectangles, etc ..

Hot-Spot
Following the RTAP terminology, it is an area of the schematic containing a symbol where the user can click on to call another panel.

Panel
A X11 window containing widgets in any combination.

Schematic
A collection of graphic primitives and symbols which represent models of a system and can be displayed in a window.

Symbol
A collection of graphical primitives and dynamics which represent one piece of equipment or a functional part of the system. Complex Symbols can be made of other more elementary ones.

Widget
A widget is a graphic device capable of receiving input form the keyboard and the mouse and communicating with a application or another widget.

1.6 STYLISTIC CONVENTIONS

The following styles are used:

bold
in the text, for commands, filenames, pre/suffixes as they have to be typed.

italic
in the text, for parts that have to be substituted with the real content before typing.

teletype
for examples.

<name>
in the examples, for parts that have to be substituted with the real content before typing.

bold and italic are also used to highlight words.

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