Graphical User Interfaces

Abstract

A Graphical User Interface can capture the essence of an idea or a situation, often avoiding the need for a long passage of text. Such interfaces can save a user from the need to learn complex commands. They are less likely to intimidate computer users and can provide a large amount of information quickly in a form which can be easily assimilated by the user. In this chapter we will first introduce what we mean by a GUI and by WIMP-based UIs in particular. We will then consider the range of libraries available for Python before selecting one to use. This chapter will then describe how to create rich client graphical displays (desktop application) using one of these GUI libraries. Thus in this chapter we consider how windows, buttons, text fields and labels are created, added to windows, positioned and organised.