An implementation of a window manager such as VS does this

Question

My boss believes that the IDE VS 2008 window manager (auto guiding, docking of solutions, properties, etc.) is the best thing, since sliced ​​bread. I cannot find a control that resembles this functionality in a toolbar. Is there any control you know? Or should I go ahead and realize it myself? By the way, we are using VS 2008 Express.

Answer 1

You do not need to create something that looks like a VS window manager - you can use the actual VS alone with Visual Studio Shell .

I believe that it aims to create tools for developers, but I see no reason why it should be used in this way. This is a bit like RCP Eclipse, as I understand it.

Answer 2

I implemented a real DockPanel Suit project from Weifen Luo , which worked very well, and now it works in a rather complex application (this is an application for the financial market, strict requirements for the user interface in terms of performance and stability). This is really a very good implementation.

I even had to make some custom modifications and found the code very clear and well written.

I am sure that there are several comparable commercial implementations from companies such as Infragistics, etc., but if you have little money or just do not need commercial support services for your components, you can try:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/dockpanelsuite

Answer 3

I just hope that you are not developing a standard line of business applications for non-technical users.

I was involved in the line of business applications. which tried to use the Magic library (from memory) and implemented property windows, etc., so it looked "like Visual Studio."

Then we released the prototype for end users, and they hate it. These were non-technical finances and people like accounts, some even experienced users. The main complaints were that "the windows do not stay in one place", "it is too easy to accidentally drag the windows", "too strange", "my window continues to disappear", etc.

Just because your boss thinks the Visual Studio IDE is great doesn't mean your target user group doesn't.

Do not forget that Visual Studio was designed / built by developers for developers. If your users aren’t too technical, it might be wise to prototype them first.

Answer 4

There is a very good open source project for this. Take a look at SourceForge for the DockingSuite Dock Panel Suite .

Answer 5

You should check out SandDock . Older versions were freely licensed (dunno if they are still available), and newer versions are relatively cheap, especially considering the amount of time / money / sanity they will save.

I highly recommend not trying to collapse your own VM component. Too much work, and it would not be worth it if it were not your main product.

Answer 6

Magic libary

Dock panel suite

Dock container

I personally think that the Magic Library is the best. I don’t remember if this is OSS.