ALE uses a number of specific terms and phrases that are defined here. ALE attempts to use the standard Java terms wherever possible.
Glossary
- ALE interface file
- the ASCII file where you design the appearance of the interface. This file may be delivered as a separate file or may be converted to an array using the make_array tool and included directly in your Java code.
- attribute
- a characteristic of a component. Attributes include width, height, location, etc.
- component
- a general category of items that can appear on a user interface. These items can include containers, buttons, labels, text input fields, check boxes, listboxes, lines, etc.
- container
- a component that holds other components.
- GUI (graphical user interface)
- a computer program designed to allow a computer user to interact easily with the computer typically by using a mouse to make choices from menus or groups of icons
- make_array
- an ALE tool that converts the ALE interface file to an array. This array can then be copied into your Java code and compiled along with the application, so you won't have to include the ALE interface file in your delivery as a separate file.
Variables used by ALE
- w
- the width of the component or dialog. In the ALE interface file, w refers to the width of the dialog, while id.w refers to the width of the specified component called id.
- h
- the height of the component or dialog. In the ALE interface file, h refers to the height of the dialog, while id.h refers to the height of the specified component called id.
- x
- the length of the component or dialog in X. In the ALE interface file, x refers to the length of the dialog in X, while id.h refers to the length of the specified component, called id, in X.
- y
- the length of the component or dialog in Y. In the ALE interface file, y refers to the length of the dialog in Y, while id.y refers to the length of the specified component, called id, in Y.
- t
- the top of the component or dialog. In the ALE interface file, t refers to the top of the dialog, while id.t refers to the top of the specified component called id.
- b
- the bottom of the component or dialog. In the ALE interface file, b refers to the bottom of the dialog, while id.b refers to the bottom of the specified component called id.
- r
- the right side of the component or dialog. In the ALE interface file, r refers to the right side of the dialog, while id.r refers to the right side of the specified component called id.
- l
- the left side of the component or dialog. In the ALE interface file, l refers to the left side of the dialog, while id.l refers to the left side of the specified component called id.
