Typing

The OpenWindows classing engine identifies the characteristics, or attributes, of files. The classing engine specifies attributes such as print method, icons, and open commands for specific file types. The classing engine consists of two parts:

• A database that stores file type names and attributes

• A collection of routines that query the database

The Solaris CDE data typing and actions form the analog of the classing engine. The data-typing mechanism consists of two tables (DATA_ATTRIBUTES and DATA_CRITERIA) that specify attributes such as icons, actions, and commands for specific file types. DATA_CRITERIA corresponds to the classing engine's File name space. DATA_ATTRIBUTES corresponds to the classing engine's Type name space. The actions field in the DATA_ATTRIBUTES table corresponds to the former print and open methods in the classing engine. In the Solaris CDE development environment, it acts as a reference to another table called ACTION, and is greatly enhanced over the former classing engine methods.

See Common Desktop Environment: Programmer's Overview and Solaris Common Desktop Environment: Programmer's Guide for more information on data typing and actions.