Classical functions of a window manager (WM) There are not clear-cut definitions to distinguish them but there are strong patterns. The most popular Desktop Environments for Unix/Linux are: Of course, the DE is only a small part of an OS, and in Linux and Unix systems, the Window Manager and/or DE can be replaced or highly customized without violating any end-user licensing agreements. In fact, user opinions on operating systems are typically based on one thing: the Desktop Environment. Here is a short list of some of the more popular ones:įor a really nice website that lists them all, try What is a Desktop Environment?Ī desktop environment (DE) usually rides on top of a Window Manager and adds many features, including panels, status bars, drag-and-drop capabilities, and a suite of integrated applications and tools. There are approximately 17 "mainstream" window managers, and at least 70 others. You are free to select any number of window managers, ranging from lean-and-mean simple ones (low memory and CPU consumption), to feature-packed large ones. It controls the look and feel of the user's GUI. It is also capable of presenting menus and options to the user. Requires both X Windows and a Window Manager.Įxamples of desktop environments are GNOME, KDE, Cinnamon, Xfce among others)Ī Window Manager is a piece of software that manages windows, allowing the windows to be opened, closed, re-sized, and moved. The Desktop Environment typically is a far more fully integrated system than a Window Manager. A Desktop Environment includes a Window Manager but builds upon it. Requires X Windows but not a desktop environment.ĭesktop Environment – This is where it begins to get a little fuzzy for some. Window Managers include: Enlightenment, Afterstep, FVWM, Fluxbox, IceWM, etc. Window Manager – The Window Manager is the piece of the puzzle that controls the placement and appearance of windows. This is required for any graphical desktop. X Windows builds the primitive framework that allows moving of windows, interactions with keyboard and mouse, and draws windows. X Windows – This is the foundation that allows for graphic elements to be drawn on the display. There are basically three layers that can be included in the Linux desktop: I'm having a really hard time trying to understand what the differences between a desktop environment and a window manager are?
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