Dialogs
Complex Dialogs

A complex dialog is a dialog that allows the user to fine-tune an operation. When such a dialog does not apply so much to a specific operation but rather to one or more operations in general, we refer to it as a Configuration Dialog.

The actions that are listed in the menubar or toolbar often need additional parameters. The best way to ask the user for these additional parameters is by means of a complex dialog. If, for example, the user selects "Open Document" from the "File" menu, the application will use a complex dialog to ask the user which file should be opened.

Note that KDE provides a standard "File Selection Dialog" so that you don't need to write your own for every application you write.

A complex dialog should preferrably be modeless. This means that while the dialog is shown the user can still make use of the other functions of the application.

A dialog should be designed such that it does not need to be bigger than 4/5th of the screen dimensions. So with a screen size of 800x600 pixels (width by height) the dialog should not exceed 640x480 pixels in any dimension.

KDE assumes a minimum screen size of 800x600 pixels.

Dialogs should be resizable.

Dialogs should preferrably be resizable. If not all information in a dialog can be presented on the screen due to size constraints, enlarging the dialog should make more of the information visible.

All controls on a dialog should be accesible from the keyboard.

Dialog windows should pop up in the center of the application they belong to unless they interact with the content of the application window, such as a "Replace Dialog". These dialogs should appear directly next to the application.

Previous Next