Desktop Environment of X-windows
The X Window System, commonly referred to as X11 or simply X, is a windowing system primarily used in Unix-like operating systems. It provides the basic framework for building graphical user interfaces (GUIs) by managing the display of graphical elements such as windows, icons, and menus on computer screens.
Within the X Window System, a desktop environment is a collection of software designed to provide a cohesive and user-friendly interface for interacting with the operating system and its applications. The desktop environment typically includes a window manager, a file manager, system settings/configuration tools, and various desktop utilities.
Here's a brief overview of the components typically found in a desktop environment for X11:
1. Window Manager: This component is responsible for the placement, appearance, and behavior of windows. It manages the borders, title bars, resizing, and moving of windows, as well as window stacking and focus management.
2. Panel or Taskbar: A panel or taskbar is a bar typically located at the edge of the screen that provides quick access to commonly used applications, system status information (such as the time and network connectivity), and notifications.
3. File Manager: A file manager allows users to navigate the file system, manage files and directories, and perform file operations such as copying, moving, and deleting.
4. Desktop Icons: Desktop environments often provide support for displaying icons directly on the desktop for quick access to files, folders, and applications.
5. Desktop Background: Users can customize their desktop background with wallpapers or other images.
6. System Settings/Configuration Tools: Desktop environments typically include graphical tools for configuring system settings such as display preferences, input devices, network settings, and user accounts.
7. Desktop Utilities: Various utilities such as text editors, calculators, and terminal emulators may be included to provide additional functionality to users.
Popular desktop environments for X11 include GNOME, KDE Plasma, Xfce, and LXQt. Each desktop environment has its own unique look, feel, and feature set, catering to different user preferences and hardware requirements.
