Workplace Shell

OS/2 2.0, showing the first version of the Workplace Shell

The Workplace Shell (WPS) is an object-oriented desktop shell (also called desktop environment) produced by IBM's Boca Raton development lab for OS/2 2.0. It is based on Common User Access and made a radical shift away from the Program Manager type interface that earlier versions of OS/2 shared with Windows 3.x or the application-oriented WIMP interface of the Apple Macintosh. The Workplace Shell was also used in OS/2 Warp 3 and Warp 4, and the OS/2-based operating systems eComStation and ArcaOS.

IBM originally intended to deliver the Workplace Shell as part of the OfficeVision/2 LAN product, but in 1991 announced plans to release it as part of OS/2 2.0 instead.[1]


Although mostly written in C, under the covers the Workplace Shell is implemented as an object-oriented class library, basing on the System Object Model (SOM). The WPS classes are glued together with an interface definition language (IDL). SOM and its IDL was developed by IBM in their Austin, Texas lab. The classes can easily be manipulated by sending simple settings strings (like "KEYWORD=VALUE;") to them both via a C and a Rexx API.[2][3]

When implementing a new WPS class, it is derived from an existing class from within the WPS class hierarchy. For modifying, extending or removing certain functionality of the parent class, often only a few methods of the parent class need to be overwritten by the developer. All other functionality of the parent class can safely remain unchanged, ensuring the seamless integration of the added or modified functionality and with that the consistency of the remaining user interface.

The resulting object class is shipped in DLL form. Once the new object class implemented by it is registered with the Workplace Shell and an instance of this class is created, it can be acted on by the user or other programs as every other Workplace Shell object.

A part of the WPS design allows for the developer of a class Y which extends or modifies a class X to execute an additional API on installation which will let the WPS 'replace' class X by class Y. This will make even all existing instances of class X behave as instances of the modified class Y; i.e., almost a retroactive inheritance. This allows for many useful third-party desktop utilities that add or modify functionality to or of existing objects without access to IBM's source code. Where the IDL and class headers also of derived classes are published, these classes can as well be extended in turn in the same way.

See also

References

  1. ^ Desmond, Paul (1 July 1991), "IBM refocuses office tool", Network World, vol. 8, no. 26, International Data Group, p. 51, ISSN 0887-7661, IBM last week said some features originally scheduled to ship in OfficeVision/2 LAN will be bundled into the current release of the product, while others will be either integrated into OS/2 or delayed indefinitely... IBM's Workplace Shell, an enhanced graphical user interface, is being lifted from OfficeVision/2 LAN to be included in OS/2 2.0... The shell offers the capability to trigger processes by dragging and dropping icons on the desktop, such as dropping a file into an electronic wastebasket. Porting that feature to the operating system will let any application take advantage of the interface...
  2. ^ Oscar Cepeda (May 12, 1994). OS/2 Configuration Techniques: "Cracking" the Workplace Shell (PDF). IBM Redbooks. IBM Corporation, International Technical Support Organization. ISBN 9780738405742. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 May 2005. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  3. ^ Mindy Pollack (1995). Marc A. Stock (ed.). OS/2 Workplace Shell API. New York: Wiley. ISBN 9780471038726.

Read other articles:

Valkó

You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Hungarian. (June 2022) Click [show] for important translation instructions. View a machine-translated version of the Hungarian article. Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wik...

 

Couronnement (architecture)

Cet article est une ébauche concernant l’architecture ou l’urbanisme. Vous pouvez partager vos connaissances en l’améliorant (comment ?) selon les recommandations des projets correspondants. Pour les articles homonymes, voir couronnement. Le couronnement amont du barrage de l'Edertal. Le couronnement est la partie terminale, supérieure d'une construction (typiquement la corniche) ou d'une partie de construction (un montant ou pour une colonne, le chapiteau, par exemple). Le cou...

 

Alisan Porter

American singer, actress and dancer Alisan PorterPorter in 2015Born (1981-06-20) June 20, 1981 (age 42)Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.EducationStaples High School, ConnecticutOccupationsActresssingerYears active1987–present: Actress 2009–present: Singer, songwriterSpouses Brian Autenrieth ​ ​(m. 2012; div. 2017)​ Justin de Vera ​ ​(m. 2023)​ Children3Musical careerGenresPoprockcountry Musical artis...

Yoeri Havik

Cet article est une ébauche concernant un coureur cycliste néerlandais. Vous pouvez partager vos connaissances en l’améliorant (comment ?). Pour plus d’informations, voyez le projet cyclisme. Yoeri HavikYoeri Havik lors de la Flèche du port d'Anvers 2014InformationsNaissance 19 février 1991 (33 ans)ZaandamNationalité néerlandaiseÉquipe actuelle BEAT Cycling ClubÉquipes UCI 2011De Rijke2012-2013De Rijke-Shanks2014De Rijke2015SEG Racing2016Team 3M2017Team Raleigh GAC2018...

 

Élections législatives de 2007 dans la Drôme

2002 2012 Élections législatives de 2007 dans la Drôme 4 sièges de députés à l'Assemblée nationale 10 et 17 juin 2007 Corps électoral et résultats Inscrits 339 250 Votants au 1er tour 208 447   61,44 %  5,3 Votes exprimés au 1er tour 205 216 Votants au 2d tour 209 499   61,75 % Votes exprimés au 2d tour 202 626 Majorité présidentielle Liste Union pour un mouvement populaireDivers droite (Maj. prés.)Divers droiteMouvement po...

 

1819 Delaware gubernatorial election

1819 Delaware gubernatorial election ← 1816 October 5, 1819 1820 (special) →   Nominee Henry Molleston Manaen Bull Party Federalist Democratic-Republican Popular vote 3,823 3,185 Percentage 54.55% 45.45% Governor before election John Clark Federalist Elected Governor Henry Molleston † Federalist Elections in Delaware Federal government Presidential elections 1788-89 1792 1796 1800 1804 1808 1812 1816 1820 1824 1828 1832 1836 1840 1844 1848 1852 1856 1860 186...

土库曼斯坦总统

土库曼斯坦总统土库曼斯坦国徽土库曼斯坦总统旗現任谢尔达尔·别尔德穆哈梅多夫自2022年3月19日官邸阿什哈巴德总统府（Oguzkhan Presidential Palace）機關所在地阿什哈巴德任命者直接选举任期7年，可连选连任首任萨帕尔穆拉特·尼亚佐夫设立1991年10月27日 土库曼斯坦土库曼斯坦政府与政治 国家政府 土库曼斯坦宪法 国旗 国徽 国歌 立法機關（英语：National Council of Turkmenistan） ...

 

Parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Haringey

The London Borough of Haringey maintains 240 hectares (590 acres) of parks and open spaces. By 2015, 20 of these were accredited with a Green Flag Award.[1] Until their disbandment in April 2009, the parks were patrolled by the Haringey Parks Constabulary. List of Parks and Open Spaces Park signage placed by Haringey council View of the City of London from Finsbury Park Priory Park, looking towards Abbeville Road Albert Road Recreation Ground Belmont Recreation Ground Bluebell Wood B...

 

Bengal Sultanate

1352–1576 kingdom in Bengal For other uses, see Bengal (disambiguation). Sultanate of BengalShahī Baṅgala (Bengali) Saltanat-i-Bangālah (Persian)Saltanat-Al-Bang͟hāliyyah (Arabic)1352–15391554–1576Extent of the Sultanate of Bengal under the Hussain Shahi dynasty.StatusSultanateCapitalPandua(1352–1390) Sonargaon[note 1][1](1390–1466) Gaur(1466–1565) Tanda(1565–1576)Common languagesBengali (official)Persian (official)Arabic (religious)Religion Sunni Isla...

Metallurgical Laboratory

Former laboratory at the University of Chicago, part of the Manhattan Project Metallurgical LaboratoryEckhart Hall at the University of Chicago was used for the Metallurgical Project's administrative officesEstablishedFebruary 1942 (1942-02)Research typeclassifiedBudget$30.69 million (1943–1946)Field of researchPlutonium chemistry and metallurgy, nuclear reactor designDirectorRichard L. DoanSamuel K. AllisonJoyce C. Stearns Farrington DanielsStaff2,008 on 1 July 1944Loca...

 

华盖建筑师事务所

华盖建筑师事务所（Allied Architects）是20世纪上半叶中国著名的建筑师事务所，设计了多座有影响的建筑。 1931年，赵深在上海自设建筑师事务所，次年陈植从东北来沪加入，名为赵深陈植建筑师事务所。1933年1月童寯加入，改名华盖建筑师事务所[1]。他们都毕业于美国宾夕法尼亚大学建筑系。 上海中区西藏路520号的大上海大戏院和北京路780号的金城大戏院是华盖建筑师...

 

Bobby Limb

Australian entertainer (1924–1999) Bobby LimbBobby Limb, Clovelly, Sydney, 1952BornRobert Limb(1924-11-10)10 November 1924Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaDied11 September 1999(1999-09-11) (aged 74)Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaOccupationsEntertainerradio personalitytelevision personalitycomedianpresenterband leadermusicianproduction company co-founderYears active1941−1982SpouseDawn Lake Robert Limb AO, OBE (10 November 1924 – 11 September 1999) was an Australian-born e...

Austin Motor Company

Austin Motor Company Tipe Industri otomotif Nasib Digabungkan, Merk ini terbengkalai dan mungkin akan digunakan kembali. PenerusBritish Motor Corporation Didirikan 1905 Ditutup 1952 Lokasi Longbridge, Birmingham, England, UK IndustriOtomotif Produkotomotif IndukBritish Motor Corporation Austin Motors showroom, Long Acre, London, circa 1910 Austin Motor Company adalah sebuah perusahaan otomotif dari Inggris yang berdiri pada tahun 1905 dan diberhentikan pada tahun 1952. Didirikan tahun 1905 o...

 

Vehicle for hire

Vehicle providing transport for a fee Taxicab in Perth Cycle rickshaw in New York City Eco Chariots cycle rickshaw fleet in London Yellow Uber car in Moscow An Uber driver in Bogotá, Colombia with the Uber mobile app on a dashboard-mounted smartphone A vehicle for hire is a vehicle providing private transport or shared transport for a fee, in which passengers are generally free to choose their points or approximate points of origin and destination, unlike public transport, and which they do ...

 

Modern pentathlon at the 1932 Summer Olympics

Men's modern pentathlonat the Games of the X OlympiadLeft-right: Lindman, Oxenstierna, MayoDatesAugust 2–6, 1932Competitors25 from 10 nationsMedalists Johan Gabriel Oxenstierna  Sweden Bo Lindman  Sweden Richard Mayo  United States← 19281936 → At the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, a modern pentathlon event was contested.[1] Participating nations A total of 25 athletes from 10 nations competed at the Los Angeles Games:  France...

2005 in Sierra Leone

List of events ← 2004 2003 2002 2005 in Sierra Leone → 2006 2007 2008 Decades: 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s See also: Other events of 2005 Timeline of Sierra Leonean history The following list is of events that happened during 2005 in Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone, a country in West Africa, has a special significance in the history of the transatlantic slave trade as the departure point for thousands of west African captives. The capital, Freetown, was founded as a home for repatria...

 

.tp

Former Internet country code top-level domain for East Timor This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: .tp – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this message) .tp.tp Domain RegistrationIntroducedDecember 1997RemovedFebruary 2015TLD typeCountry code top-...

 

David McNarry

David McNarryLeader of UKIP Northern IrelandIn office4 October 2013 – 28 November 2016LeaderNigel FarageMember of the Northern Ireland Assemblyfor StrangfordIn office26 November 2003 – 30 March 2016Preceded byTom HamiltonSucceeded byPhilip SmithMember of Ards Borough CouncilIn office21 May 1997 – 7 June 2001Preceded byStanley McCoySucceeded byPhilip SmithConstituencyArds West Personal detailsBorn (1948-05-25) 25 May 1948 (age 76)Northern IrelandPolitical...

The Inner Light (song)

1968 single by the BeatlesThe Inner LightUS picture sleeve (reverse)Single by the BeatlesA-sideLady MadonnaReleased15 March 1968Recorded13 January, 6 and 8 February 1968Studio HMV, Bombay EMI, London GenreIndian music, raga rockLength2:36Label Parlophone (UK) Capitol (US) Songwriter(s)George HarrisonProducer(s)George MartinThe Beatles singles chronology Hello, Goodbye (1967) Lady Madonna / The Inner Light (1968) Hey Jude (1968) The Inner Light is a song by the English rock band the Beatl...

 

Käthe Kruse

Max och Käthe Kruse. Käthe Kruse, född Simon 17 september 1883 i Breslau, död 19 juli 1968 i Murnau am Staffelsee, var en tysk docktillverkare och konsthantverkare. Hon var gift med konstnären Max Kruse och mor till författaren Max Kruse. År 1904 formgav hon den så kallade Käthe Kruse-dockan som ett alternativ till de massproducerade dockorna med stereotypa utseenden. Hon gav varje docka ett individuellt levande barnsligt utseende. Dockorna var försedda med äkta människohår och s...