SDSU CS 596 OODP
Xforms Introduction

[To Lecture Notes Index]
San Diego State University -- This page last updated Oct. 12, 1995
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Contents of Xforms Introduction Lecture

  1. References
  2. Misc.
  3. Form Designer -GUI builder
  4. First Example
  5. The Basic Steps
    1. Initialize Form
    2. Defining Forms
    3. Showing Forms
    4. Main Loop
  6. Things that can go on a Form
    1. Boxes
    2. Text
    3. Buttons
    4. Sliders
    5. Input fields
    6. Grouping Objects
    7. Hiding and Showing Objects
    8. Deactivating and reactivating Objects
  7. Changing Attributes
    1. Color
    2. Bounding Boxes
    3. Label (Text) Attributes
    4. Some Goodies
  8. Interaction - Callbacks
    1. Callback with Objects

References


Forms Library: A Graphical User Interface Toolkit for X by T. C. Zhao and Mark Overmars., 1995

Misc.

More information

http://bragg.phys.uwm.edu/xforms
Examples

/opt/xforms/DEMOS

Manual

ftp://bragg.phys.uwm.edu/xforms/DOC

Cal Copy
Compiling

g++ -I/opt/xforms/FORMS -I/opt/X11R5/lib
fileName.c
-L/opt/xforms/FORMS -lforms
-L/opt/X11R5/lib -lX11 -lnsl -lsocket -lm
Options 
-I	(uppercase i) location to find include files
-L	(uppercase L) location to find libraries
-l	(lowercase L) names of the libraries program needs to be linked to
Two Line Compilation

g++ -O -I/opt/xforms/FORMS -I/opt/X11R5/lib
-c fileName.c

g++ -O -o fileName fileName.o
-L/opt/xforms/FORMS -lforms
-L/opt/X11R5/lib -lX11 -lnsl -lsocket -lm
Magic Makefile 
CFLAGS	= -O

LIB		= -L/opt/xforms/FORMS -lforms  \
			-L/opt/X11R5/lib -lX11         \ 
			-lnsl -lsocket -lm

INCL	= -I/opt/xforms/FORMS  -I/opt/X11R5/lib

CC		= g++

.c.o:
	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(INCL) -c $*.c

.o:
	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -o $* $*.o $(LIB)

.c:
	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) $(INCL) -c $*.c
	$(CC) $(CFLAGS) -o $* $*.o $(LIB)

clean:
	rm *.o


Sample Use

Put program in file named Bank.c

Then following command compiles program

make Bank
Warning

Xforms library works with C and C++

Xforms library uses object/class concepts but does not use C++ classes

Programs compiled with C++ must have the following header.
#include <string.h>
#include "forms.h"


#include <string.h> must come first


string.h for CC is sick, Do not use CC until string.h is fixed

Use g++ for now

Form Designer -GUI builder





First Example 

#include <string.h>
#include "forms.h"

int main( int argc,  char *argv[] )
{
	FL_FORM *simpleform;

	fl_initialize( argv[0], "FormDemo", 0, 0, &argc, argv );

	simpleform = fl_bgn_form( FL_UP_BOX, 230, 160 );
		fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
						40, 50, 150, 60, 
						"Push Me" );
	fl_end_form(  );

	fl_show_form( simpleform,  FL_PLACE_MOUSE,  
				FL_NOBORDER,  NULL );

	fl_do_forms(  );
	fl_hide_form( simpleform );
	return 1;
}

The Basic Steps


Initialize the Forms Library

Defining Forms

Showing Forms

Main Loop

Initialize Form


fl_initialize( argv[0], "FormDemo", 0, 0, &argc, argv );

Defining Forms


FL_FORM* fl_bgn_form( FormType, width , height );

// Define form here

fl_end_form( );


FormType type of background of form
FL_UP_BOX
Comes out of the screen
FL_DOWN_BOX
Goes down into the screen
FL_FLAT_BOX
Flat box with no border
FL_BORDER_BOX
Flat box with border
FL_FRAME_BOX
Flat box with engraved border
FL_SHADOW_BOX
Flat box with a shadow
FL_ROUNDED_BOX
Rounded box
FL_RFLAT_BOX
Rounded box without border
FL_RSHADOW_BOX
Rounded box with shadow
FL_OVAL_BOX
Box shaped like an ellipse
FL_NO_BOX
No box at all


width Width of form in pixels

height Height of form in pixels


simpleform = fl_bgn_form( FL_UP_BOX, 230, 160 );

fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON,
40, 50, 150, 60,
"Push Me" );
fl_end_form( );

Showing Forms


long fl_show_form( FormPointer, InitialLocation,
BorderType, const char* Title );

Show form on the screen

InitialLocation

FL_PLACE_SIZE User can control location, not size
FL_PLACE_MOUSE Place below mouse
FL_PLACE_CENTER Centered in the screen
FL_PLACE_FULLSCREEN Cover the entire screen
FL_PLACE_FREE Position and size are free

See page 29-30 of manual for more options

Option can be combined
FL_PLACE_MOUSE | FL_PLACE_FREE
BorderType

FL_FULLBORDER Full border with title
FL_TRANSIENT Less decoration
FL_NOBORDER no border at all

fl_show_form( simpleform, FL_PLACE_MOUSE,
FL_NOBORDER, NULL );

Main Loop


fl_do_forms( );

returns when user changes state of the form
First Example Again 
#include <string.h>
#include "forms.h"

int main( int argc,  char *argv[] )
{
	FL_FORM *simpleform;

	fl_initialize( argv[0], "FormDemo", 0, 0, &argc, argv );

	simpleform = fl_bgn_form( FL_UP_BOX, 230, 160 );
		fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
						40, 50, 150, 60, 
						"Push Me" );
	fl_end_form(  );

	fl_show_form( simpleform,  FL_PLACE_MOUSE,  
				FL_NOBORDER,  NULL );

	fl_do_forms(  );
	fl_hide_form( simpleform );
	return 1;
}
Multiple Forms 
#include <iostream.h>
#include <string.h>
#include "forms.h"

int main( int argc,  char *argv[] )
{
	FL_FORM* niceForm;
	FL_FORM* meanForm;

	fl_initialize( argv[0], "FormDemo", 0, 0, &argc, argv );

	niceForm = fl_bgn_form( FL_UP_BOX, 150, 100 );
		fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
					40, 50, 100, 60, "Please Push Me" );
	fl_end_form(  );

	meanForm = fl_bgn_form( FL_UP_BOX, 150, 100 );
		fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
					40, 50, 100, 60,  "Push Me or Else!" );
	fl_end_form(  );

	fl_show_form( niceForm,  FL_PLACE_MOUSE,  
				FL_TRANSIENT,  "Nice" );
	fl_show_form( meanForm,  FL_PLACE_CENTER,  
				FL_FULLBORDER,  "Watch Out!" );

	cout << "Get ready to Start" << endl;
	fl_do_forms(  );

	cout << "User selected something" << endl;
	fl_hide_form( niceForm);
	fl_do_forms(  );

	cout << "The End " << endl;
	return 1;
}
Keeping Track of Buttons 
int main( int argc,  char *argv[] )
{
	 FL_FORM *form;
	 FL_OBJECT *yes,  *no,  *button;
	
	fl_initialize( argv[0],  "FormDemo",  0,  0 , &argc,  argv );

	form = fl_bgn_form( FL_UP_BOX, 320, 120 );

		fl_add_box( FL_NO_BOX, 160, 80, 0, 0, 
					"Do you want to Quit?" );
		yes = fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
						40, 20, 80, 30, "Yes" );
		no	= fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
						200, 20, 80, 30, "No" );
	fl_end_form(	);

	fl_show_form( form, FL_PLACE_MOUSE, 
				FL_NOBORDER, NULL );

	do  
		button= fl_do_forms(  ); 
	while ( button != yes );

	fl_hide_form( form );
	return 0;
}

Things that can go on a Form

Boxes


FL_OBJECT* fl_add_box(boxType, XCoordinate, YCoordinate,
width, height, label );
FL_UP_BOX
Comes out of the screen
FL_DOWN_BOX
Goes down into the screen
FL_FLAT_BOX
Flat box with no border
FL_BORDER_BOX
Flat box with border
FL_FRAME_BOX
Flat box with engraved border
FL_SHADOW_BOX
Flat box with a shadow
FL_ROUNDED_BOX
Rounded box
FL_RFLAT_BOX
Rounded box without border
FL_RSHADOW_BOX
Rounded box with shadow
FL_OVAL_BOX
Box shaped like an ellipse
FL_NO_BOX
No box at all
Box Example 

#include <string.h>
#include "forms.h"

int main( int argc,  char *argv[] )
{
	FL_FORM *boxExample;
	FL_OBJECT  plainBox;
	FL_OBJECT  fancyBox;

	fl_initialize( argv[0], "FormDemo", 0, 0, &argc, argv );

	boxExample = fl_bgn_form( FL_UP_BOX, 150, 150 );
		myBox = fl_add_box( FL_BORDER_BOX, 
						10, 10, 100, 50, "Plain Jane" );
		fancyBox = fl_add_box( FL_FRAME_BOX, 
						10, 70, 100, 50, "\010Look Out" );

		// set box color
		fl_set_object_color( fancyBox, FL_RED, 0 );

		// set label color
		fl_set_object_lcol( fancyBox, FL_GREEN );

		// set label font size
		fl_set_object_lsize( fancyBox, FL_LARGE_SIZE );

	fl_end_form(  );

	fl_show_form( boxExample,  FL_PLACE_MOUSE,  
				FL_FULLBORDER,  "Boxes" );

	fl_do_forms(  );
	fl_hide_form( boxExample);
	return 1;
}

Text


FL_OBJECT* fl_add_text( textType, XCoordinate, YCoordinate,
width, height, label );


textType = FL_NORMAL_TEXT
Fancy Stuff?

\010 in front of text underlines all text
"\010Hi Mom"
Hi Mom

\010 in side of text, underlines next character

"Hi \010Mom" Hi Mom

\n in text gives newline

Buttons


FL_OBJECT* fl_add_button( buttonType, XCoordinate,
YCoordinate, width, height, label );

FL_OBJECT* fl_add_lightbutton( buttonType, XCoordinate,
YCoordinate, width, height, label );

FL_OBJECT* fl_add_roundbutton( buttonType, XCoordinate,
YCoordinate, width, height, label );

FL_OBJECT* fl_add_checkbutton( buttonType, XCoordinate,
YCoordinate, width, height, label );

FL_OBJECT* fl_add_bitmapbutton( buttonType, XCoordinate,
YCoordinate, width, height, label );

FL_OBJECT* fl_add_pixmapbutton( buttonType, XCoordinate,
YCoordinate, width, height, label );

Some Button Types 
FL_NORMAL_BUTTON	Returns value when released

FL_PUSH_BUTTON	Stays pushed until pushed again

FL_TOUCH_BUTTON	Returns value as long as it is pushed

FL_RADIO_BUTTON	Switches off other radio buttons

FL_INOUT_BUTTON	Returns value when pushed and released

FL_RETURN_BUTTON	Like normal button but reacts on return
PushButton.c - An Example of Buttons 
#include <string.h>

#include "forms.h"



FL_FORM *form;

FL_OBJECT *button[8],  *box[8],  *exitButton;



void makeform( void )

{

	int i;

	form = fl_bgn_form( FL_UP_BOX, 400, 400 );

	for ( i=0; i<8; i++ )

	{

		button[i] = fl_add_button( FL_PUSH_BUTTON,

							 40, 60+40*i, 80, 30, "" );

		fl_set_object_color( button[i], FL_BLACK+i+1, 

								FL_BLACK+i+1 );

		box[i] = fl_add_box( FL_DOWN_BOX, 150+30*i, 

								40, 25, 320, "" );

		fl_set_object_color( box[i], FL_BLACK+i+1, 

								FL_BLACK+i+1 );

		fl_hide_object( box[i] );

	}

	exitButton = fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 

							40, 20, 80, 30, "Exit" );

	fl_end_form(	);

}



int

main( int argc,  char *argv[] )

{ 

	FL_OBJECT *obj;

	int i;



	fl_initialize( argv[0],  "FormDemo",  0,  0 , &argc,  argv );



	makeform(	);

	fl_show_form( form, FL_PLACE_CENTER, 

						FL_NOBORDER, NULL );

	do

	{

		obj = fl_do_forms(	);

		for ( i=0; i<8; i++ )

			if ( obj == button[i] )

				if ( box[i]->visible ) 

					fl_hide_object( box[i] );

				else 

					fl_show_object( box[i] );

	} while ( obj != exitButton );



	fl_hide_form( form );

	return 0;

}
Demo 04 In case you ask
The following code, demo04.c, creates the above window.
Note this is created with a GUI builder 

#include "forms.h"

FL_FORM *buttons;
FL_OBJECT *readyobj;

#include "nomail.xbm"
#include "newmail.xbm"
#include "crab.xpm"
#include "crab45.xpm"

static void bitmapbutton( FL_OBJECT *ob,  long q )
{
	int set = fl_get_button( ob );
	fl_set_bitmapbutton_data( ob,  newmail_width,  
		newmail_height, 
		 set ? nomail_bits:newmail_bits ); 
}

static void pixmapbutton( FL_OBJECT *ob,  long q )
{
	 int set = fl_get_button( ob );
	 fl_set_pixmapbutton_data( ob,  set ? crab45:crab );
}


void create_form_buttons( void )
{
	FL_OBJECT *obj;

	if ( buttons )
		 return;

	buttons = fl_bgn_form( FL_NO_BOX, 320, 380 );
		obj = fl_add_box( FL_UP_BOX, 0, 0, 320, 380, "" );

		readyobj = obj = fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
					190, 15, 110, 30, "READY" );

		obj = fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
					125, 315, 150, 35, "Button" );
		fl_set_object_boxtype( obj, FL_SHADOW_BOX );
		fl_set_object_color( obj, FL_GREEN, FL_RED );

		obj = fl_add_bitmapbutton( FL_PUSH_BUTTON, 
								180, 100, 80, 70, "" );
		fl_set_object_boxtype( obj, FL_NO_BOX );
		fl_set_object_callback( obj,  bitmapbutton, 0 );
		fl_set_bitmapbutton_data( obj, newmail_width,
						  newmail_height,  newmail_bits );

		obj = fl_add_pixmapbutton( FL_PUSH_BUTTON, 
								200, 60, 45, 40, "" );
		fl_set_object_callback( obj,  pixmapbutton, 0 );
		fl_set_pixmapbutton_data( obj, crab );

		fl_bgn_group(	);
			obj = fl_add_roundbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON, 
								25, 300, 40, 50, "" );
			fl_set_object_boxtype( obj, FL_BORDER_BOX );
			fl_set_object_color( obj, FL_MCOL, FL_RED );

			obj = fl_add_roundbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON, 
									25, 255, 40, 50, "" );
			fl_set_object_boxtype( obj, FL_BORDER_BOX );
			fl_set_object_color( obj, FL_MCOL, FL_GREEN );

			obj = fl_add_roundbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON, 
									25, 205, 40, 50, "" );
			fl_set_object_boxtype( obj, FL_BORDER_BOX );
			fl_set_object_color( obj, FL_MCOL, FL_BLUE );
		fl_end_group(	);

		fl_bgn_group(	);
			obj = fl_add_frame( FL_ENGRAVED_FRAME, 
									115, 205, 75, 95, "" ); 
			obj = fl_add_box( FL_FLAT_BOX, 
							125, 295, 40, 10, "CheckB" );
			obj = fl_add_checkbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON,
							 120, 265, 55, 30, "Red" );
			fl_set_object_color( obj, FL_MCOL, FL_RED );
			obj = fl_add_checkbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON,
							 120, 235, 55, 30, "Green" );
			fl_set_object_color( obj, FL_MCOL, FL_GREEN );
			obj = fl_add_checkbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON, 
								120, 205, 55, 30, "Blue" );
			fl_set_object_color( obj, FL_MCOL, FL_BLUE );
		fl_end_group(	);

		fl_bgn_group(	);

			obj = fl_add_lightbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON, 
							20, 130, 125, 35, "	Red" );
			fl_set_object_color( obj, FL_COL1, FL_RED );

			obj = fl_add_lightbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON, 
								20, 95, 125, 35, "	Green" );
			fl_set_object_color( obj, FL_COL1, FL_GREEN );

			obj = fl_add_lightbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON, 
								20, 60, 125, 35, "	Blue" );
			fl_set_object_color( obj, FL_COL1, FL_BLUE );

		fl_end_group(	);
		fl_bgn_group(	);

			obj = fl_add_roundbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON,
								 230, 265, 55, 30, "Red" );
			fl_set_object_color( obj, FL_MCOL, FL_RED );

			obj = fl_add_frame( FL_SHADOW_FRAME, 
								225, 205, 70, 95, "" );

			obj = fl_add_roundbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON,
							 230, 205, 55, 30, "Blue" );
			fl_set_object_color( obj, FL_MCOL, FL_BLUE );

			obj = fl_add_roundbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON, 
								230, 235, 55, 30, "Green" );
			fl_set_object_color( obj, FL_MCOL, FL_GREEN );

			obj = fl_add_roundbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON, 
								230, 265, 55, 30, "Red" );
			fl_set_object_color( obj, FL_MCOL, FL_RED );
		fl_end_group(	);
	fl_end_form(	);
}

int
main( int argc,  char *argv[] )
{
		fl_initialize( argv[0], "FormDemo", 0, 0, &argc,  argv );

		create_form_buttons(	);

		fl_show_form( buttons,  FL_PLACE_CENTER,  
								FL_NOBORDER,  0 );

		while ( fl_do_forms(	) != readyobj );
			;
		return 0;
}

Sliders

FL_OBJECT*  fl_add_slider( sliderType, XCoordinate, 
						YCoordinate, width, height, label );

void fl_set_slider_value( FL_OBJECT* aSlider, double value );

void fl_set_slider_bounds( FL_OBJECT* aSlider, 
				double minValue, double maxValue );

double fl_get_slider_value( FL_OBJECT* aSlider  );
sliderType
FL_VERT_SLIDER
FL_HOR_SLIDER

#include <iostream.h>
#include <string.h>
#include "forms.h"

int main( int argc,  char *argv[] )
{
	FL_FORM*  form;
	FL_OBJECT* slider;

	fl_initialize( argv[0], "FormDemo", 0, 0, &argc, argv );

	form = fl_bgn_form( FL_UP_BOX, 150, 190 );
		slider = fl_add_slider( FL_VERT_SLIDER, 30, 30, 60,
							 120, "" );
		 fl_set_slider_bounds( slider, -1, 1 );
		 fl_set_slider_value( slider, 0 );
	fl_end_form(  );

	fl_show_form( form,  FL_PLACE_CENTER,  
				FL_FULLBORDER,  "Slide" );

	cout << "Get ready to Start" << endl;
	fl_do_forms(  );

	cout << "The value is" << fl_get_slider_value( slider )  << endl;
	fl_hide_form( form);
	return 1;
}

Input fields


Input fields supports full emacs style editing
FL_OBJECT*  fl_add_input( inputType, XCoordinate, 
						YCoordinate, width, height, label );

void fl_set_input( FL_OBJECT* input, char* default text );

void fl_set_input_color( FL_OBJECT* input, textColor, cursorColor );

[const] char* fl_get_input(  FL_OBJECT* input );

void fl_set_object_focus( FL_FORM* aForm, FL_OBJECT* input );
inputType 
FL_NORMAL_INPUT	Any text can be typed
FL_FLOAT_INPUT	Only float values can be typed
FL_INT_INPUT	Only int values can be typed
FL_MULTILINE_INPUT	Allows for multiple lines
FL_SECRET_INPUT	Does not show text typed
FL_HIDDEN_INPUT	Input field is invisible



Grouping Objects


FL_OBJECT* fl_bgn_group(void)

void fl_end_group(void)
#include <string.h>
#include "forms.h"

int main( int argc,  char *argv[] )

	FL_FORM *buttons;

	buttons = fl_bgn_form( FL_NO_BOX, 320, 380 );
		fl_bgn_group(	);
			fl_add_roundbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON, 
								25, 300, 40, 50, "First" );

			fl_add_roundbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON, 
								25, 255, 40, 50, "Second" );

			fl_add_roundbutton( FL_RADIO_BUTTON, 
								25, 205, 40, 50, "Third" );
		fl_end_group(	);
	fl_end_form(  );

	fl_show_form( buttons ,  FL_PLACE_MOUSE,  
				FL_FULLBORDER,  "buttons " );

	fl_do_forms(  );
	fl_hide_form( buttons );
	return 1;
}

Hiding and Showing Objects


void fl_hide_object( FL_OBJECT* aThing )

void fl_show_object( FL_OBJECT* aThing )
int main( int argc,  char *argv[] )
{
	 FL_FORM *form;
	 FL_OBJECT *yes,  *no,  *button;
	
	fl_initialize( argv[0],  "FormDemo",  0,  0 , &argc,  argv );

	form = fl_bgn_form( FL_UP_BOX, 320, 120 );

		fl_add_box( FL_NO_BOX, 160, 80, 0, 0, 
					"Do you want to Quit?" );
		yes = fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
						40, 20, 80, 30, "Yes" );
		no	= fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
						200, 20, 80, 30, "No" );
	fl_end_form(	);

	fl_hide_object( yes  )
	fl_show_form( form, FL_PLACE_MOUSE, 
				FL_NOBORDER, NULL );

	fl_do_forms(  );
	fl_show_object( yes  );
 
	do  
		button= fl_do_forms(  ); 
	while ( button != yes );

	fl_hide_form( form );
	return 0;
}

Deactivating and reactivating Objects


void fl_deactivate_object( FL_OBJECT* aThing )

void fl_activate_object( FL_OBJECT* aThing )
int main( int argc,  char *argv[] )
{
	 FL_FORM *form;
	 FL_OBJECT *yes,  *no,  *button;
	
	fl_initialize( argv[0],  "FormDemo",  0,  0 , &argc,  argv );

	form = fl_bgn_form( FL_UP_BOX, 320, 120 );

		fl_add_box( FL_NO_BOX, 160, 80, 0, 0, 
					"Do you want to Quit?" );
		yes = fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
						40, 20, 80, 30, "Yes" );
		no	= fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
						200, 20, 80, 30, "No" );
	fl_end_form(	);

	fl_deactivate_object( yes  )
	fl_set_object_color( yes, FL_INACTIVE_COL );
	fl_show_form( form, FL_PLACE_MOUSE, 
				FL_NOBORDER, NULL );

	fl_do_forms(  );
	fl_activate_object( yes );
	fl_set_object_color( yes, FL_TOMATO );

	fl_do_forms(  );
	return 0;
}

Changing Attributes

Color

void fl_set_object_color( FL_OBJECT* aThing, color1, color2 );
ItemColor1Color2
boxBox colornot used
textText colornot used
buttonscolor when releasedcolor when pushed
light buttonslight offlight on
bitmap buttonbox colorbitmap color
sliderbackground colorslider color
input not selectedwhen selected
Some Colors

FL_RED
FL_BLACK
FL_GREEN
FL_YELLOW
FL_BLUE
FL_CYAN
FL_MAGENTA
FL_WHITE
FL_TOMATO
FL_SLATEBLUE
FL_ORCHID
FL_DARKGOLD

Bounding Boxes 

void fl_set_object_bottype( FL_OBJECT* aThing, int boxtype );
boxtype
FL_UP_BOX
Comes out of the screen
FL_DOWN_BOX
Goes down into the screen
FL_FLAT_BOX
Flat box with no border
FL_BORDER_BOX
Flat box with border
FL_FRAME_BOX
Flat box with engraved border
FL_SHADOW_BOX
Flat box with a shadow
FL_ROUNDED_BOX
Rounded box
FL_RFLAT_BOX
Rounded box without border
FL_RSHADOW_BOX
Rounded box with shadow
FL_OVAL_BOX
Box shaped like an ellipse
FL_NO_BOX
No box at all

Label (Text) Attributes

Label Color 
void fl_set_object_lcol( FL_OBJECT* aThing, FL_COLOR color );
Label Size 
void fl_set_object_lsize( FL_OBJECT* aThing, int LabelSize );
FL_TINY_SIZE8pt
FL_SMALL_SIZE10pt
FL_NORMAL_SIZE12pt
FL_MEDUIM_SIZE14pt
FL_LARGE_SIZE18pt
FL_HUGE_SIZE24pt
Font Style 
void fl_set_object_lstyle( FL_OBJECT* aThing, int FontStyle );
FL_NORMAL_STYLENormal text
FL_BOLD_STYLEBoldface
FL_ITALIC_STYLEItalic
FL_BOLDITALIC_STYLEBold Italic
FL_FIXED_STYLEFixed width
FL_FIXEDBOLD_STYLE
FL_FIXEDITALIC_STYLE
FL_FIXEDBOLDITALIC_STYLE
FL_TIMES_STYLETimes-Roman
FL_TIMESBOLD_STYLE
FL_TIMESITALIC_STYLE
FL_TIMESBOLDITALIC_STYLE
FL_SHADOW_STYLE
FL_ENGRAVED_STYLE
FL_EMBOSSED_STYLE

Some Goodies 

#include "forms.h"

int main( int argc,  char *argv[] )
{
	int answer;
	int NumberOfButtons;	// range 1, 2, 3
	char* UserText ;

	fl_show_message("Line one of messge", "Line two of messge", 
					"Line 3 of messge");



	const int CENTERED = 1;
	const int NOTCENTERED = 0;
	fl_show_alert("Line one of messge", "Line two of messge", 
					"Line 3 of messge", CENTERED );


	answer = fl_show_question("Answer = 1 if user selects yes", 
				"Answer = 0 if user selects no", "");


	NumberOfButtons = 2;	
	answer = fl_show_question("Line 1", "Line 2", "Line3",
			NumberOfButtons , "Button label 1", 
			"Button label 2", "" );


	UserText = fl_show_input("The question", "Default Answer" );


	return 1;
}

Interaction - Callbacks 


void yesButtonPressed( FL_OBJECT*  theButton, long NotUsed) {
	cout << "The no button was pressed" << endl;
	exit(0);
};

void noButtonPressed( FL_OBJECT*  theButton, long color) {
	cout << "The yes button was pressed" << endl;
	fl_set_object_color( theButton,  color, 	color); 
};

int main( int argc,  char *argv[] )
{
	 FL_FORM *form;
	 FL_OBJECT *yes,  *no,  *button;
	
	fl_initialize( argv[0],  "FormDemo",  0,  0 , &argc,  argv );

	form = fl_bgn_form( FL_UP_BOX, 320, 120 );

		fl_add_box( FL_NO_BOX, 160, 80, 0, 0, "Quit?" );
		yes = fl_add_button(FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
								40, 20, 80, 30, "Yes" );

		fl_set_object_callback( yes, yesButtonPressed, 
								(long) FL_RED);

		no	= fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
									200, 20, 80, 30, "No" );
		fl_set_object_callback( no, noButtonPressed, 0);
	fl_end_form(	);

	fl_show_form( form, FL_PLACE_MOUSE, 
				FL_NOBORDER, NULL );

	fl_do_forms(  ); 
	return 0;
}

Callback with Objects 

#include <iostream.h>
#include <string.h>
#include "forms.h"

class Counter {
	public:
		void increase() { count++;};
		void decrease() { count--;};
		Counter() {count = 0;};
		int getCount() { return count;};
	private:
		int count;

};

void decreaseButtonPressed( FL_OBJECT*  button, long NotUsed) {

	Counter* CurrentCount = (Counter*) counterPointer;

	MyCount ->decrease();

	cout << "The count is"  << CurrentCount ->getCount() << endl;
};

void increaseButtonPressed( FL_OBJECT* bttn, long counterPointer) {

	Counter* CurrentCount = (Counter*) counterPointer;

	MyCount ->increase();

	cout << "The count is"  << CurrentCount ->getCount() << endl;
};
int main( int argc,  char *argv[] )
{
	 FL_FORM *form;
	 FL_OBJECT *increase,  *decrease;
	Counter TheCount;
	
	fl_initialize( argv[0],  "FormDemo",  0,  0 , &argc,  argv );

	form = fl_bgn_form( FL_UP_BOX, 320, 120 );

		fl_add_box( FL_NO_BOX, 160, 80, 0, 0, 
					"Do you want to Quit?" );
		increase = fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
						40, 20, 80, 30, "Increase" );

		fl_set_object_callback( increase, increaseButtonPressed, 
							(long) &TheCount );

		decrease = fl_add_button( FL_NORMAL_BUTTON, 
						200, 20, 80, 30, "Decrease" );

		fl_set_object_callback( decrease, decreaseButtonPressed, 
							(long) &TheCount );
		fl_end_form(	);

	fl_show_form( form, FL_PLACE_MOUSE, 
				FL_NOBORDER, NULL );

	fl_do_forms(  ); 
	return 0;
}

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