The X Window System in a Nutshell (Definitive Guides to the X Window System) [Paperback]

Tom O'Reilly (Author), Tim O'Reilly (Editor), Daniel Gilly (Editor), Ellie Cutler (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Definitive Guides to the X Window System | Publication Date: April 2, 1992

Once programmers have mastered the concepts behind X and learned how to program in Xlib and Xt there is still a mass of details to remember."The X Window System in a Nutshell fills this gap. Experienced X programmers can use this single-volume desktop companion for most common questions, keeping the full X Window System series of manuals for detailed reference.

"X in a Nutshell contains essential information in a boiled-down, quick-reference format that makes it easy to find the answers needed most often:

Command line options and resources for the standard MIT X clients.Calling sequence for all Xlib and Xt functions and macros.Detailed description of structures, enums, and other X data types used as arguments or return values in Xlib or Xt functions.Description of the code inside a basic widget.Quick reference to the event structures.Font name syntax, color names, resource file and translations table syntax, and cursors.

This book has been updated to cover R5, but is still useful for R4. The descriptions of the functions have been expanded and clarified, with improved cross-referencing to important related functions. Includes material on Xcms and the internationalization features of R5.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Once programmers have mastered the concepts behind X and learned how to program in Xlib and Xt there is still a mass of details to remember. The X Window System in a Nutshell fills this gap. Experienced X programmers can use this single-volume desktop companion for most common questions, keeping the full X Window System series of manuals for detailed reference. X in a Nutshell contains essential information in a boiled-down, quick-reference format that makes it easy to find the answers needed most often: Command line options and resources for the standard MIT X clients. Calling sequence for all Xlib and Xt functions and macros. Detailed description of structures, enums, and other X data types used as arguments or return values in Xlib or Xt functions. Description of the code inside a basic widget. Quick reference to the event structures. Font name syntax, color names, resource file and translations table syntax, and cursors. Xlib and Xt error messages. This book has been updated to cover R5, but is still useful for R4. The descriptions of the functions have been expanded and clarified, with improved cross-referencing to important related functions. Includes material on Xcms and the internationalization features of R5.

About the Author

Tim O'Reilly is the founder and CEO of O'Reilly Media, Inc., thought by many to be the best computer book publisher in the world. O'Reilly Media also hosts conferences on technology topics including the O'Reilly Open Source Convention. Tim is an activist for open source and open standards, and an opponent of software patents and other incursions of new intellectual property laws into the public domain. Tim's long-term vision for his company is to change the world by spreading the knowledge of innovators. For everything Tim, see tim.oreilly.com.

Ellie Cutler has been an indexer and production editor with O'Reilly & Associates since 1990. Prior to landing at ORA, she worked as a technical writer, newspaper copy editor, and tractor-trailer driver. A professional musician, Ellie received her Bachelor of Music degree from Utah State University in 1974.

Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media; 2nd edition edition (April 2, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565920171
• ISBN-13: 978-1565920170
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,048,916 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars For reference only!, August 2, 2008

By 

A Cyclist (Longmont, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The X Window System in a Nutshell (Definitive Guides to the X Window System) (Paperback)

I bought this book thinking that "in a nutshell" meant it would be a quick way to learn X Window. Not even close. This is solely a reference book - perhaps a good one - but it is completely useless as a tutorial.