Re: learning X programming

Allan Adler wrote:
I have the following documents:

(1) Xlib - C Language X Interface
X Consortium Standard
X Version 11, Release 6.4
(2) X Toolkit Intrinsics -- C Language Interface
X Window System
X Version 11, Release 6.4
First Revision - April 1994

The former is 466 pages, the latter about 291 pages. Which of them
should I read first?

If there is something I should read before either of them, which is
probably likely, that would be good to know. Also, neither of them
seems to spend any time on programming examples. A source that shows
how to get started with X programming under Linux would also be welcome.

Most likely I would be doing this in C, but I also have my eye on the
following document:
(3) Xlibscm
SCM Language X Interface
Version 5d8

The answer to this question depends on what you are trying to do. If you want to use X to write applications, then I agree that Gtk, as suggested by other respondents, is the way to go. But if you want to have a deeper understanding of X, and in particular how the X protocol operates to achieve the graphics, then Xlib, using the references that you mention is the way to go.

I have written X applications in Gtk, and when time permits, are exploring the X protocol by programming in Xlib only, using none of the higher level toolkits. This I hope to eventually give me a much better appreciation of what X is capable of, without the filtering affects of the toolkits. This approach, more of a research tool, leads to programs that are a little longer in source code length than if using the toolkits. I have seen nothing that I like at this level, so I have gone my own way. As I have programmed I have written each program up: although the programs work the write-up could have some bugs in it. If you would like a copy of what I have, which are all in LaTeX format, drop me a line.

Ross
.

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