## wm

Communicate with window manager

### SYNOPSIS

(wm option window ?args?)

### DESCRIPTION

The wm procedure is used to interact with window managers in order to control such things as the title for a window, its geometry, or the increments in terms of which it may be resized. The wm procedure can take any of a number of different forms, depending on the option argument. All of the forms expect at least one additional argument, window, which must be the path name of a top-level window.

The legal forms for the wm procedure are:

(wm 'aspect window ?minNumer minDenom maxNumer maxDenom?)
  If minNumer, minDenom, maxNumer, and maxDenom are all specified, then they will be passed to the window manager and the window manager should use them to enforce a range of acceptable aspect ratios for window. The aspect ratio of window (width/length) will be constrained to lie between minNumer/minDenom and maxNumer/maxDenom. If minNumer etc. are all specified as empty strings, then any existing aspect ratio restrictions are removed. If minNumer etc. are specified, then the procedure returns an empty list. Otherwise, it returns a STk list containing four elements, which are the current values of minNumer, minDenom, maxNumer, and maxDenom (if no aspect restrictions are in effect, then an empty list is returned).

(wm 'client window)
(wm 'client window name)
  If name is specified, this procedure stores name (which should be the name of the host on which the application is executing) in window's WM_CLIENT_MACHINE property for use by the window manager or session manager. The procedure returns an empty list in this case. If name isn't specified, the procedure returns the last name set in a wm client procedure for window. If name is specified as an empty string, the procedure deletes the WM_CLIENT_MACHINE property from window.

(wm 'colormapwindows window)
(wm 'colormapwindows window windowList)
  This procedure is used to manipulate the WM_COLORMAP_WINDOWS property, which provides information to the window managers about windows that have private colormaps. If windowList isn't specified, the procedure returns a list whose elements are the names of the windows in the WM_COLORMAP_WINDOWS property. If windowList is specified, it consists of a list of window path names; the procedure overwrites the WM_COLORMAP_WINDOWS property with the given windows and returns an empty list. The WM_COLORMAP_WINDOWS property should normally contain a list of the internal windows within window whose colormaps differ from their parents. The order of the windows in the property indicates a priority order: the window manager will attempt to install as many colormaps as possible from the head of this list when window gets the colormap focus. If window is not included among the windows in windowList, Tk implicitly adds it at the end of the WM_COLORMAP_WINDOWS property, so that its colormap is lowest in priority. If wm colormapwindows is not invoked, Tk will automatically set the property for each top-level window to all the internal windows whose colormaps differ from their parents, followed by the top-level itself; the order of the internal windows is undefined. See the ICCCM documentation for more information on the WM_COLORMAP_WINDOWS property.

(wm 'command window)
(wm 'command window value)
  If value is specified, this procedure stores value in window's WM_COMMAND property for use by the window manager or session manager and returns an empty list. Value must have proper list structure; the elements should contain the words of the procedure used to invoke the application. If value isn't specified then the procedure returns the last value set in a wm procedure command for window. If value is specified as an empty string, the procedure deletes the WM_COMMAND property from window.

(wm 'deiconify window)
  Arrange for window to be displayed in normal (non-iconified) form. This is done by mapping the window. If the window has never been mapped then this procedure will not map the window, but it will ensure that when the window is first mapped it will be displayed in de-iconified form. Returns an empty list.

(wm 'focusmodel window)
(wm 'focusmodel window 'active)
(wm 'focusmodel window 'passive)
  If active or passive is supplied as an optional argument to the procedure, then it specifies the focus model for window. In this case the procedure returns an empty list. If no additional argument is supplied, then the procedure returns the current focus model for window. An active focus model means that window will claim the input focus for itself or its descendants, even at times when the focus is currently in some other application. Passive means that window will never claim the focus for itself: the window manager should give the focus to window at appropriate times. However, once the focus has been given to window or one of its descendants, the application may re-assign the focus among window's descendants. The focus model defaults to passive, and Tk's focus procedure assumes a passive model of focussing.

(wm 'frame window)
  If window has been reparented by the window manager into a decorative frame, the procedure returns the X window identifier for the outermost frame that contains window (the window whose parent is the root or virtual root). If window hasn't been reparented by the window manager then the procedure returns the X window identifier for window.

(wm 'geometry window)
(wm 'geometry window newGeometry)
  If newGeometry is specified, then the geometry of window is changed and an empty list is returned. Otherwise the current geometry for window is returned (this is the most recent geometry specified either by manual resizing or in a wm geometry procedure). NewGeometry has the form "=width x height±x±y", where any of =, width x height, or ±x±y may be omitted. Width and height are positive integers specifying the desired dimensions of window. If window is gridded (see GRIDDED GEOMETRY MANAGEMENT below) then the dimensions are specified in grid units; otherwise they are specified in pixel units. X and y specify the desired location of window on the screen, in pixels. If x is preceded by +, it specifies the number of pixels between the left edge of the screen and the left edge of window's border; if preceded by : then x specifies the number of pixels between the right edge of the screen and the right edge of window's border. If y is preceded by + then it specifies the number of pixels between the top of the screen and the top of window's border; if y is preceded by : then it specifies the number of pixels between the bottom of window's border and the bottom of the screen. If newGeometry is specified as an empty string then any existing user-specified geometry for window is cancelled, and the window will revert to the size requested internally by its widgets.

(wm 'grid window)
(wm 'grid window baseWidth baseHeight widthInc heightInc)
  This procedure indicates that window is to be managed as a gridded window. It also specifies the relationship between grid units and pixel units. BaseWidth and baseHeight specify the number of grid units corresponding to the pixel dimensions requested internally by window using Tk_GeometryRequest. WidthInc and heightInc specify the number of pixels in each horizontal and vertical grid unit. These four values determine a range of acceptable sizes for window, corresponding to grid-based widths and heights that are non-negative integers. Tk will pass this information to the window manager; during manual resizing, the window manager will restrict the window's size to one of these acceptable sizes. Furthermore, during manual resizing the window manager will display the window's current size in terms of grid units rather than pixels. If baseWidth etc. are all specified as empty strings, then window will no longer be managed as a gridded window. If baseWidth etc. are specified then the return value is an empty list. Otherwise the return value is a STk list containing four elements corresponding to the current baseWidth, baseHeight, widthInc, and heightInc; if window is not currently gridded, then #f is returned. Note: this procedure should not be needed very often, since the Tk_SetGrid library procedure and the setGrid option provide easier access to the same functionality.

(wm 'group window)
(wm 'group window widget-name)
  If widget-name is specified, it gives the path name for the leader of a group of related windows. The window manager may use this information, for example, to unmap all of the windows in a group when the group's leader is iconified. PathName may be specified as #f to remove window from any group association. If widget-name is specified then the procedure returns an empty list; otherwise it returns the path name of window's current group leader, or #f if window isn't part of any group.

(wm 'iconbitmap window)
(wm 'iconbitmap window bitmap)
  If bitmap is specified, then it names a bitmap in the standard forms accepted by Tk (see the Tk_GetBitmap manual entry for details). This bitmap is passed to the window manager to be displayed in window's icon, and the procedure returns an empty list. If #f is specified for bitmap, then any current icon bitmap is cancelled for window. If bitmap is specified then the procedure returns an empty list. Otherwise it returns the name of the current icon bitmap associated with window, or #f string if window has no icon bitmap.

(wm 'iconify window)
  Arrange for window to be iconified. It window hasn't yet been mapped for the first time, this procedure will arrange for it to appear in the iconified state when it is eventually mapped.

(wm 'iconmask window)
(wm 'iconmask window bitmap)
  If bitmap is specified, then it names a bitmap in the standard forms accepted by Tk (see the Tk_GetBitmap manual entry for details). This bitmap is passed to the window manager to be used as a mask in conjunction with the iconbitmap option: where the mask has zeroes no icon will be displayed; where it has ones, the bits from the icon bitmap will be displayed. If #f is specified for bitmap then any current icon mask is cancelled for window (this is equivalent to specifying a bitmap of all ones). If bitmap is specified then the procedure returns an empty string. Otherwise it returns the name of the current icon mask associated with window, or #f if no mask is in effect.

(wm 'iconname window)
(wm 'iconname window newName)
  If newName is specified, then it is passed to the window manager; the window manager should display newName inside the icon associated with window. In this case an empty list is returned as result. If newName isn't specified then the procedure returns the current icon name for window, or an empty string if no icon name has been specified (in this case the window manager will normally display the window's title, as specified with the wm title procedure).

(wm 'iconposition window)
(wm 'iconposition window x y)
  If x and y are specified, they are passed to the window manager as a hint about where to position the icon for window. In this case an empty list is returned. If x and y are specified as #f then any existing icon position hint is cancelled. If neither x nor y is specified, then the procedure returns a list containing two values, which are the current icon position hints (if no hints are in effect then #f list is returned).

(wm 'iconwindow window)
(wm 'iconwindow window widget-name)
  If widget-name is specified, it is the path name for a window to use as icon for window: when window is iconified then widget-name will be mapped to serve as icon, and when window is de-iconified then widget-name will be unmapped again. If widget-name is specified as #f then any existing icon window association for window will be cancelled. If the widget-name argument is specified then an empty list is returned. Otherwise the procedure returns the path name of the current icon window for window, or #f if there is no icon window currently specified for window. Button press events are disabled for window as long as it is an icon window; this is needed in order to allow window managers to ``own'' those events. Note: not all window managers support the notion of an icon window.

(wm 'maxsize window)
(wm 'maxsize window width height)
  If width and height are specified, they give the maximum permissible dimensions for window. For gridded windows the dimensions are specified in grid units; otherwise they are specified in pixel units. The window manager will restrict the window's dimensions to be less than or equal to width and height. If width and height are specified, then the procedure returns an empty string. Otherwise it returns a list with two elements, which are the maximum width and height currently in effect. The maximum size defaults to the size of the screen. If resizing has been disabled with the wm resizable procedure, then this procedure has no effect. See the sections on geometry management below for more information.

(wm 'minsize window)
(wm 'minsize window width height)
  If width and height are specified, they give the minimum permissible dimensions for window. For gridded windows the dimensions are specified in grid units; otherwise they are specified in pixel units. The window manager will restrict the window's dimensions to be greater than or equal to width and height. If width and height are specified, then the procedure returns an empty string. Otherwise it returns a list with two elements, which are the minimum width and height currently in effect. The minimum size defaults to one pixel in each dimension. If resizing has been disabled with the wm resizable procedure, then this procedure has no effect. See the sections on geometry management below for more information.

(wm 'overrideredirect window)
(wm 'overrideredirect window boolean)
  If boolean is specified, it must have a proper boolean form and the override-redirect flag for window is set to that value. If boolean is not specified then #t or #f is returned to indicate whether or not the override-redirect flag is currently set for window. Setting the override-redirect flag for a window causes it to be ignored by the window manager; among other things, this means that the window will not be reparented from the root window into a decorative frame and the user will not be able to manipulate the window using the normal window manager mechanisms.

(wm 'positionfrom window)
(wm 'positionfrom window who)
  If who is specified, it must be program, user (or an abbreviation of one of these two), or #f. It indicates whether window's current position was requested by the program or by the user. Many window managers ignore program-requested initial positions and ask the user to manually position the window; if user is specified then the window manager should position the window at the given place without asking the user for assistance. If who is specified as #f, then the current position source is cancelled. If who is specified, then the procedure returns an empty list. Otherwise it returns user or window to indicate the source of the window's current position, or #F if no source has been specified yet. Most window managers interpret ``no source'' as equivalent to program. Tk will automatically set the position source to user when a wm geometry procedure is invoked, unless the source has been set explicitly to program.

(wm 'protocol window ?name? ?procedure?)
  This procedure is used to manage window manager protocols such as WM_DELETE_WINDOW. Name is the name of an atom corresponding to a window manager protocol, such as WM_DELETE_WINDOW or WM_SAVE_YOURSELF or WM_TAKE_FOCUS. If both name and procedure are specified, then procedure is associated with the protocol specified by name. Name will be added to window's WM_PROTOCOLS property to tell the window manager that the application has a protocol handler for name, and procedure will be invoked in the future whenever the window manager sends a message to the client for that protocol. In this case the procedure returns an empty list. If name is specified but procedure isn't, then the current procedure for name is returned, or an empty list if there is no handler defined for name. If procedure is specified as an empty string then the current handler for name is deleted and it is removed from the WM_PROTOCOLS property on window; an empty string is returned. Lastly, if neither name nor procedure is specified, the procedure returns a list of all the protocols for which handlers are currently defined for window.

  Tk always defines a protocol handler for WM_DELETE_WINDOW, even if you haven't asked for one with wm protocol. If a WM_DELETE_WINDOW message arrives when you haven't defined a handler, then Tk handles the message by destroying the window for which it was received.

(wm 'resizable window)
(wm 'resizable window width height)
  This procedure controls whether or not the user may interactively resize a top-level window. If width and height are specified, they are boolean values that determine whether the width and height of window may be modified by the user. In this case the procedure returns an empty string. If width and height are omitted then the procedure returns a list with two boolean elements that indicate whether the width and height of window are currently resizable. By default, windows are resizable in both dimensions. If resizing is disabled, then the window's size will be the size from the most recent interactive resize or wm geometry procedure. If there has been no such operation then the window's natural size will be used.

(wm 'sizefrom window)
(wm 'sizefrom window who)
  If who is specified, it must be program user (or an abbreviation of one of these two) or #f . It indicates whether window's current size was requested by the program or by the user. Some window managers ignore program-requested sizes and ask the user to manually size the window; if user is specified then the window manager should give the window its specified size without asking the user for assistance. If who is specified as #f, then the current size source is cancelled. If who is specified, then the procedure returns an empty string. Otherwise it returns user or window to indicate the source of the window's current size, or #f if no source has been specified yet. Most window managers interpret ``no source'' as equivalent to program.

(wm 'state window)
  Returns the current state of window: either "normal", "iconic", or "withdrawn".

(wm 'title window)
(wm 'title window string)
  If string is specified, then it will be passed to the window manager for use as the title for window (the window manager should display this string in window's title bar). In this case the procedure returns an empty list. If string isn't specified then the procedure returns the current title for the window. The title for a window defaults to its name.

(wm 'transient window)
(wm 'transient window master)
  If master is specified, then the window manager is informed that window is a transient window (e.g. pull-down menu) working on behalf of master (where master is the path name for a top-level window). Some window managers will use this information to manage window specially. If master is specified as #f then window is marked as not being a transient window any more. If master is specified, then the procedure returns an empty list. Otherwise the procedure returns the path name of window's current master, or #f if window isn't currently a transient window.

(wm 'withdraw window)
  Arranges for window to be withdrawn from the screen. This causes the window to be unmapped and forgotten about by the window manager. If the window has never been mapped, then this procedure causes the window to be mapped in the withdrawn state. Not all window managers appear to know how to handle windows that are mapped in the withdrawn state. Note: it sometimes seems to be necessary to withdraw a window and then re-map it (e.g. with wm deiconify) to get some window managers to pay attention to changes in window attributes such as group.

### GEOMETRY MANAGEMENT

By default a top-level window appears on the screen in its natural size, which is the one determined internally by its widgets and geometry managers. If the natural size of a top-level window changes, then the window's size changes to match. A top-level window can be given a size other than its natural size in two ways. First, the user can resize the window manually using the facilities of the window manager, such as resize handles. Second, the application can request a particular size for a top-level window using the wm geometry procedure. These two cases are handled identically by Tk; in either case, the requested size overrides the natural size. You can return the window to its natural by invoking wm geometry with an empty geometry string.

Normally a top-level window can have any size from one pixel in each dimension up to the size of its screen. However, you can use the wm minsize and wm maxsize procedures to limit the range of allowable sizes. The range set by wm minsize and wm maxsize applies to all forms of resizing, including the window's natural size as well as manual resizes and the wm geometry procedure. You can also use the procedure wm resizable to completely disable interactive resizing in one or both dimensions.

### GRIDDED GEOMETRY MANAGEMENT

Gridded geometry management occurs when one of the widgets of an application supports a range of useful sizes. This occurs, for example, in a text editor where the scrollbars, menus, and other adornments are fixed in size but the edit widget can support any number of lines of text or characters per line. In this case, it is usually desirable to let the user specify the number of lines or characters-per-line, either with the wm geometry procedure or by interactively resizing the window. In the case of text, and in other interesting cases also, only discrete sizes of the window make sense, such as integral numbers of lines and characters-per-line; arbitrary pixel sizes are not useful.

Gridded geometry management provides support for this kind of application. Tk (and the window manager) assume that there is a grid of some sort within the application and that the application should be resized in terms of grid units rather than pixels. Gridded geometry management is typically invoked by turning on the setGrid option for a widget; it can also be invoked with the wm grid procedure or by calling Tk_SetGrid. In each of these approaches the particular widget (or sometimes code in the application as a whole) specifies the relationship between integral grid sizes for the window and pixel sizes. To return to non-gridded geometry management, invoke wm grid with empty argument strings.

When gridded geometry management is enabled then all the dimensions specified in wm minsize, wm maxsize, and wm geometry procedures are treated as grid units rather than pixel units. Interactive resizing is also carried out in even numbers of grid units rather than pixels.

### BUGS

Most existing window managers appear to have bugs that affect the operation of the wm procedure. For example, some changes won't take effect if the window is already active: the window will have to be withdrawn and de-iconified in order to make the change happen.

### SEE ALSO

toplevel

Back to the STk main page