Programming Microsoft® Composite UI Application Block and Smart Client Software Factory

Chapter 5. Shared User Interface Extension

A. Problem Background

1. A composite user interface is, by definition, composed from disparate, independent pieces. Most Smart Parts displayed in workspaces provide their own controls for their specific input and output. However, users also expect to give commands and receive status notifications from the application's main user interface: the menu, toolbars, and status bars owned by the shell. Since a composite application is meant to be developed as a series of independent modules, the shell development team cannot possibly know about and deal with every user interface element that any of the modules might need to present to the user. Therefore, the CAB provides a mechanism for modules to independently ...