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User Interface Design and Ergonomics - National Open University of ...

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UNIT 5 LAYOUTS AND CONSTRAINTS<br />

Table <strong>of</strong> Contents<br />

1.0 Introduction<br />

2.0 Objectives<br />

3.0 Main Content<br />

3.1 Layout<br />

3.2 Layout managers<br />

3.3 Kinds <strong>of</strong> Layout Managers<br />

3.4 Hints for Layouts<br />

3.5 Constraints<br />

3.6 Types <strong>of</strong> constraints<br />

4.0 Conclusion<br />

5.0 Summary<br />

6.0 Tutor Marked Assignment<br />

7.0 Further Reading <strong>and</strong> Other Resources<br />

1.0 INTRODUCTION<br />

Underst<strong>and</strong>ing layouts <strong>and</strong> constraints will be the main goal <strong>of</strong> this unit. Layout managers<br />

<strong>and</strong> hints for layouts are discussed. Various types <strong>of</strong> constraints are also explained.<br />

2.0 OBJECTIVES<br />

By the end this unit, you should be able to:<br />

Explain <strong>User</strong> <strong>Interface</strong><br />

Highlight the significance <strong>of</strong> user interface <strong>and</strong> identify the various types <strong>of</strong> user<br />

interfaces.<br />

Have good knowledge <strong>of</strong> the history <strong>of</strong> user interfaces<br />

Describe modes <strong>and</strong> modalities <strong>of</strong> <strong>User</strong> <strong>Interface</strong>s<br />

3.0 MAIN CONTENT<br />

3.1 LAYOUT<br />

Layout is determining the positions <strong>and</strong> sizes <strong>of</strong> graphical objects. This can be done<br />

manually or automatically. Layout ranges in difficulty <strong>and</strong> constraints. Some layouts<br />

require simple one pass algorithm <strong>and</strong> some require dynamic programming <strong>and</strong> other<br />

techniques.<br />

There is need to do layout automatically since there is need to change the states <strong>and</strong><br />

conditions <strong>of</strong> windows, screens, fonts, widgets, etc. This must be planned for at designed<br />

level <strong>and</strong> must be implemented effectively to enhance the user interface.<br />

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