ULTRIX Worksystem Software Introduction to the ULTRIX Worksystem Software Environment

This document, "Introduction to the ULTRIX Worksystem Software Environment," published by Digital Equipment Corporation in June 1990 (Version 4.0), serves as a guide for users of the ULTRIX Worksystem Software (UWS).

The manual introduces the UWS as a comprehensive graphics-oriented environment, which integrates DECwindows applications, the X User Interface (XUI), and X programming libraries, all extending the industry-standard X Window System.

The document is organized into four main chapters:

1. Overview of the UWS Environment: Describes the key features of the UWS, including its ability to distribute applications across a network, support advanced graphics, provide a consistent user interface, allow concurrent multi-application display, ensure compatibility with VMS DECwindows, offer an extensible architecture, and provide security. It also details the components of the XUI architecture: DECwindows applications, XUI Toolkit, Xlib Programming Library, Transport Layers, X Server, and Device Drivers.
2. The User Environment: Explains how users interact with the consistent graphical interface of DECwindows. It covers core components like the Session Manager, Window Manager, and User Executive (UE) for accessing the ULTRIX operating system, as well as providing online help. A significant portion is dedicated to describing the various DECwindows desktop applications, such as Calculator, Calendar, Mail, Notepad, Paint, PostScript Previewer, Puzzle, DECterm (terminal emulator), CDA Viewer, Debugger, and Visual Differences.
3. The Programming Environment: Provides an overview for developers, focusing on the Xlib and XUI Toolkit programming libraries. Xlib offers low-level routines for basic windowing and graphics, while the XUI Toolkit provides high-level routines for creating and managing user interface objects (widgets), including tools like the XUI User Interface Language (UIL) compiler and the XUI Resource Manager (DRM).
4. Customizing Your DECwindows Environment: Instructs users on personalizing their DECwindows applications by modifying entries in the .Xdefaults file. It explains how to specify and set resources (e.g., window size, colors, fonts), describes widget hierarchy and naming conventions, and details how to redefine keyboard keys and mouse button actions for text editing commands.

In essence, the document provides a foundational understanding of the ULTRIX Worksystem Software, covering both its user-facing graphical environment and its underlying architectural and programming concepts, with a strong emphasis on customization.