Chapter 2. Runtime Library and Tile

Table of Contents

History of Theming
Usability and Themes
Cross-Platform
Critique of Theming
Critique of Theme 'clam'
Runtime Library Themed
Template Interface
Tk 8.5 and Tile frame as Creator
Rtl_mlistbox
Rtl_gridwin

Theming is probably as old as the Graphical User Interface itself. An early example is xrdb (The X11 X Resource Database), Tk's option database is a rough –possibly a better– version of X Resource Database. Microsoft® Windows® had also the capability to change colour, font and resolution right away. Mac OS® 9.x is probably the first widely used Graphical User Interface, with a modern type theming engine. Theming has spilled over to AQUA®, where third-party tools enable it.

Theming may cover the shape of controls. Consequently, a theme is nowadays a collection of fonts, colours, shapes, images and resolution.