A window refers to a graphical user interface element which allows a computer's display to be subdivided into rectangular areas which metaphorically behave like a separate "windows" of information under the control of different application programs. This gives the user the ability to see the output of several processes at once and to choose which one will receive input by selecting its window, usually by clicking on it with a mouse, trackpad, or other pointing device.

A windowed user interface system can also be referred to as "WIMP" (windows, icons, menus and pointers), pioneered at Xerox PARC.^[1] Examples are the X Window System, proprietary systems on the Macintosh and NeXT, NeWS for Sun workstations, RISC OS for the Acorn Archimedes and Microsoft Windows for PCs.^[2]

References

See also

• Split view, a simpler method of dividing the display in iPadOS and macOS Catalina (10.15) or later.

External links

• Manage windows on Mac at Apple Support
• Window at Wikipedia

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This page uses GFDL licensed content from the Free On-line Dictionary of Computing.