Some tweaks for the GtkStyleContext migration guide

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Matthias Clasen 2010-11-24 01:01:31 -05:00 committed by Carlos Garnacho
parent 0f98b15090
commit 091c882996

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@ -6,25 +6,26 @@
<title>Migrating from GtkStyle to GtkStyleContext</title>
<para>
In GTK+ 3.0, GTK+ was added GtkStyleContext to replace GtkStyle and
In GTK+ 3.0, #GtkStyleContext was added to replace #GtkStyle and
the theming infrastructure available in 2.x. GtkStyleContext is an
object similar in spirit to GtkStyle, as it contains theming information,
although in a more complete and tokenized fashion. Moving to #GtkStyleContext
is twofold, there is themes and theming engines on one
side, and applications, widgets and libraries on the other.
although in a more complete and tokenized fashion. There are two aspects
to switching to GtkStyleContext: porting themes and theme engines, and
porting applications, libraries and widgets.
</para>
<refsect2 id="gtk-migrating-GtkStyleContext-themes">
<title>Migrating themes</title>
<para>
From GTK+ 3.0 on, theme engines must implement #GtkThemingEngine and be installed
in <literal>$(libdir)/gtk+-3.0/$(GTK_VERSION)/theming-engines</literal>, and
the files containing style information must be written in the CSS format as
parsed by #GtkCssProvider. For a theme named "Clearlooks", the CSS file parsed
by default would be <literal>$(sharedir)/themes/Clearlooks/gtk-3.0/gtk.css</literal>,
with possible variants such as the dark theme being named as "gtk-dark.css" in
the same directory.
From GTK+ 3.0 on, theme engines must implement #GtkThemingEngine and be
installed in <filename>$libdir/gtk+-3.0/$GTK_VERSION/theming-engines</filename>,
and the files containing style information must be written in the CSS-like
format that is understood by #GtkCssProvider. For a theme named
"Clearlooks", the CSS file parsed by default is
<filename>$datadir/themes/Clearlooks/gtk-3.0/gtk.css</filename>,
with possible variants such as the dark theme being named
<filename>gtk-dark.css</filename> in the same directory.
</para>
</refsect2>
@ -32,74 +33,85 @@
<title>Migrating theme engines</title>
<para>
Migrating a #GtkStyle based engine to a #GtkThemingEngine based one should
be straightforward for most of the vmethods. Besides a cleanup in the available
paint methods and a cleanup in the parameters passed (in favor of #GtkStyleContext
containing all the information), the available render methods should resemble
those of #GtkStyle quite evidently, with some differences worth to point out:
Migrating a #GtkStyle based engine to a #GtkThemingEngine based one
should be straightforward for most of the vfuncs. Besides a cleanup
in the available paint methods and a simplification in the passed
arguments (in favor of #GtkStyleContext containing all the information),
the available render methods resemble those of #GtkStyle quite
evidently. Notable differences include:
</para>
<orderedlist>
<listitem>
All variations of <literal>gtk_paint_box()</literal>, <literal>gtk_paint_flat_box()</literal>,
<literal>gtk_paint_shadow()</literal>, <literal>gtk_paint_box_gap()</literal> and
<literal>gtk_paint_shadow_gap()</literal> become replaced by gtk_render_background(),
gtk_render_frame() and gtk_render_frame_gap(), where the first would render frameless
backgrounds and the last two would render all frame variants.
All variations of gtk_paint_box(), gtk_paint_flat_box(),
gtk_paint_shadow(), gtk_paint_box_gap() and gtk_paint_shadow_gap()
are replaced by gtk_render_background(), gtk_render_frame() and
gtk_render_frame_gap(). The first function renders frameless
backgrounds and the last two render frames in various forms.
</listitem>
<listitem>
<literal>gtk_paint_resize_grip()</literal> disappears in favor of gtk_render_handle()
gtk_paint_resize_grip() has been subsumed by gtk_render_handle()
with a #GTK_STYLE_CLASS_GRIP class set in the style context.
</listitem>
<listitem>
<literal>gtk_paint_spinner()</literal> disappears in favor of gtk_render_activity()
gtk_paint_spinner() disappears in favor of gtk_render_activity()
with a #GTK_STYLE_CLASS_SPINNER class set in the style context.
</listitem>
</orderedlist>
<para>
The available list of render methods is:
The list of available render methods is:
</para>
<simplelist>
<member>gtk_render_background(): Renders a widget/area background.</member>
<member>
gtk_render_frame(): Renders a frame border around the given rectangle. Usually
the detail of the border depends on the theme information, plus the current widget
state.
gtk_render_background(): Renders a widget/area background.
</member>
<member>
gtk_render_frame(): Renders a frame border around the given rectangle.
Usually the detail of the border depends on the theme information,
plus the current widget state.
</member>
<member>
gtk_render_frame_gap(): Renders a frame border with a gap on one side.
</member>
<member>
gtk_render_layout(): Renders a #PangoLayout.
</member>
<member>gtk_render_layout(): Renders a #PangoLayout</member>
<member>gtk_render_frame_gap(): Renders a frame border with a gap on one side.</member>
<member>
gtk_render_handle(): Renders all kind of handles and resize grips,
usually depending the rendering on the CSS class.
depending on the style class.
</member>
<member>
gtk_render_check() and gtk_render_option(): Respectively render checkboxes and
radiobuttons.
gtk_render_check(): Render checkboxes.
</member>
<member>
gtk_render_arrow(): Renders an arrow pointing to a direction
gtk_render_option(): Render radiobuttons.
</member>
<member>
gtk_render_expander(): Renders an expander indicator, such as in #GtkExpander
gtk_render_arrow(): Renders an arrow pointing to a direction.
</member>
<member>
gtk_render_focus(): Renders the indication that a widget has the keyboard focus
gtk_render_expander(): Renders an expander indicator, such as in
#GtkExpander.
</member>
<member>
gtk_render_focus(): Renders the indication that a widget has the
keyboard focus.
</member>
<member>
gtk_render_line(): Renders a line from one coordinate to another.
</member>
<member>
gtk_render_slider(): Renders a slider indicator, such as in #GtkScale
gtk_render_slider(): Renders a slider, such as in #GtkScale.
</member>
<member>
gtk_render_extension(): Renders and extension to an UI element, such as a
notebook tab.
gtk_render_extension(): Renders an extension that protrudes from
a UI element, such as a notebook tab.
</member>
<member>
gtk_render_activity(): Renders an area displaying activity, be it a progressbar
or a spinner.
gtk_render_activity(): Renders an area displaying activity, be it
a progressbar or a spinner.
</member>
<member>
gtk_render_icon_pixbuf(): Renders an icon into a #GdkPixbuf.
@ -107,22 +119,26 @@
</simplelist>
<para>
One of the main differences to #GtkStyle engines is that the rendered widget is
totally isolated from the theme engine, all style information is meant to be
retrieved from the #GtkThemingEngine API, or from the #GtkWidgetPath obtained
from gtk_theming_engine_get_path(), which fully represents the rendered widget's
hierarchy from a styling point of view.
One of the main differences to #GtkStyle-based engines is that the
rendered widget is totally isolated from the theme engine, all style
information is meant to be retrieved from the #GtkThemingEngine API,
or from the #GtkWidgetPath obtained from gtk_theming_engine_get_path(),
which fully represents the rendered widget's hierarchy from a styling
point of view.
</para>
<para>
The detail string available in the old engines is now essentially replaced by
widget regions and CSS classes and widget regions. Regions are a way for
container/complex widgets to classify and add ordering hints to its children.
CSS classes identify are a way to label some content being rendered, both regions
and classes can be identified both in CSS files and theming engines. There are
several predefined classes and regions such as %GTK_STYLE_CLASS_BUTTON or
%GTK_STYLE_REGION_TAB in gtkstylecontext.h, although custom widgets may define
their own, which themes may attempt at handling.
The detail string available in #GtkStyle-based engines has been
replaced by widget regions and style classes. Regions are a way for
complex widgets to associate different styles with different areas,
such as even and odd rows in a treeview. Style classes allow sharing
of style information between widgets, regardless of their type.
Regions and style classes can be used in style sheets to associate
styles, and them engines can also access them. There are several
predefined classes and regions such as %GTK_STYLE_CLASS_BUTTON or
%GTK_STYLE_REGION_TAB in <filename>gtkstylecontext.h</filename>,
although custom widgets may define their own, which themes may
attempt to handle.
</para>
</refsect2>
@ -130,25 +146,33 @@
<title>Extending the CSS parser</title>
<para>
If there is a need for extending the default CSS parser, #GtkRCStyle has been
replaced by gtk_theming_engine_register_property(), where the theming engine
may register new properties that map to a #GType, even if there is builtin
support for most basic types, it is possible to hook a custom parser for the
property.
In #GtkStyle-based engines, #GtkRCStyle provided ways to extend the
gtkrc parser with engine-specific extensions. This has been replaced
by gtk_theming_engine_register_property(), which lets a theme engine
register new properties with an arbitrary type. While there is built-in
support for most basic types, it is possible to use a custom parser
for the property.
</para>
<para>
The installed properties depend on the #GtkThemeEngine::name property, so they
should be added in the <literal>constructed()</literal> handler. For example,
if an engine with the name "Clearlooks" installs a "focus-color" property, the
property <literal>-Clearlooks-focus-color</literal> will be registered and
accepted in CSS.
The installed properties depend on the #GtkThemeEngine::name property,
so they should be added in the <literal>constructed()</literal> vfunc.
For example, if an engine with the name "Clearlooks" installs a
"focus-color" property with the type #GdkRGBA, the property
<literal>-Clearlooks-focus-color</literal> will be registered and
accepted in CSS like this:
<informalexample><programlisting>
GtkEntry {
-Clearlooks-focus-color: rgba(255, 0, 0, 1.0);
}
</programlisting></informalexample>
</para>
<para>
Widget style properties also follow a similar syntax, with the widget type
name used as a prefix, so for example the #GtkWidget:focus-line-width style property
could be modified in CSS as <literal>-GtkWidget-focus-line-width</literal>.
Widget style properties also follow a similar syntax, with the widget
type name used as a prefix. For example, the #GtkWidget:focus-line-width
style property can be modified in CSS as
<literal>-GtkWidget-focus-line-width</literal>.
</para>
</refsect2>
@ -156,10 +180,14 @@
<title>Using the CSS file format</title>
<para>
The difference in syntax between the RC and CSS file formats is evident, it
actually seems shorter to highlight the similarities, although anyone familiar
with CSS3 should get an idea soon of the new format, to make a more or less
comprehensive example, the following RC data:
The syntax of RC and CSS files formats is obviously different.
The CSS-like syntax will hopefully be much more familiar to many
people, lowering the barrier for custom theming.
</para>
<para>
Instead of going through the syntax differences one-by-one, we
will present a more or less comprehensive example and discuss
how it can be translated into CSS:
</para>
<example>
@ -323,14 +351,15 @@
</example>
<para>
One notable difference is the reduction from fg/bg/text/base colors to only
foreground/background, in exchange the widget is able to render its various
elements with different CSS classes, so they would be themed independently.
One notable difference is the reduction from fg/bg/text/base colors
to only foreground/background, in exchange the widget is able to render
its various elements with different CSS classes, which can be themed
independently.
</para>
<para>
It is worth mentioning that the new file format doesn't support custom
keybindings nor stock icon mappings as the RC format did.
It is worth mentioning that the new file format does not support
custom keybindings nor stock icon mappings as the RC format did.
</para>
</refsect2>
@ -338,22 +367,26 @@
<title>A checklist for widgets</title>
<para>
When porting your widgets to use #GtkStyleContext, this is usually
the checklist to follow:
When porting your widgets to use #GtkStyleContext, this checklist
might be useful.
</para>
<orderedlist>
<listitem>
Replace <literal>style_set()</literal> calls with <literal>style_updated()</literal>.
Replace <literal>style_set()</literal> calls with
<literal>style_updated()</literal>.
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
Try to identify the role of what you're rendering with any number of classes, this will
replace the detail string, there is a predefined set of CSS classes. Note that complex
widgets will probably need rendering different elements with different applying CSS
classes in order to have them styled separatedly. This could result in code like
(simplified examples):
Try to identify the role of what you're rendering with any number
of classes. This will replace the detail string. There is a predefined
set of CSS classes which you can reuse where appropriate. Doing so
will give you theming 'for free', whereas custom classes will require
extra work in the theme. Note that complex widgets are likely to
need different styles when rendering different parts, and style
classes are one way to achieve this. This could result in code like
the following (simplified) examples:
</para>
<example>
@ -413,45 +446,61 @@
</example>
<para>
Note that #GtkStyleContext only provides fg/bg colors, so text/base is done through
distinctive theming of the different classes. For example, An entry would usually
be black on white while a button would usually be black on light grey.
Note that #GtkStyleContext only provides fg/bg colors, so text/base
is done through distinctive theming of the different classes. For
example, an entry would usually be black on white while a button
would usually be black on light grey.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
Replace all <literal>gtk_paint_*()</literal> calls to use <literal>gtk_render_*()</literal>,
the most distinctive changes are the use of #GtkStateFlags to represent the widget state and
the lack of #GtkShadowType. For gtk_render_check() and gtk_render_option(), the
<literal>shadow_type</literal> parameter is replaced by the #GTK_STATE_FLAG_ACTIVE and
#GTK_STATE_FLAG_INCONSISTENT state flags. For things such as pressed/unpressed button states,
#GTK_STATE_FLAG_ACTIVE is used, so the CSS may style normal/active states differently to render
outset/inset borders respectively.
Replace all <literal>gtk_paint_*()</literal> calls with corresponding
<literal>gtk_render_*()</literal> calls. The most distinctive changes
are the use of #GtkStateFlags to represent the widget state and the
lack of #GtkShadowType. For gtk_render_check() and gtk_render_option(),
the @shadow_type parameter is replaced by the #GTK_STATE_FLAG_ACTIVE
and #GTK_STATE_FLAG_INCONSISTENT state flags. For things such as
pressed/unpressed button states, #GTK_STATE_FLAG_ACTIVE is used, and
the CSS may style normal/active states differently to render
outset/inset borders, respectively.
</listitem>
<listitem>
Replace all uses of xthickness/ythickness, #GtkStyleContext uses the CSS box model, so
there is the border-width/padding/margin properties to replace the different applications
of X and Y thickness. Note that all of this is merely a guideline to use, which widgets
may choose to obey or not.
The various <literal>gtk_widget_modify_*()</literal> functions to
override colors or fonts for individual widgets have been replaced
by similar <literal>gtk_widget_override_*()</literal> functions.
</listitem>
<listitem>
It is no longer necessary to call gtk_widget_style_attach(),
gtk_style_attach(), gtk_style_detach() or gtk_widget_ensure_style().
</listitem>
<listitem>
Replace all uses of xthickness/ythickness. #GtkStyleContext uses the
CSS box model, and there are border-width/padding/margin properties to
replace the different applications of X and Y thickness. Note that all
of this is merely a guideline. Widgets may choose to follow it or not.
</listitem>
</orderedlist>
</refsect2>
<refsect2 id="gtk-migrating-GtkStyleContext-parsing">
<title>Parsing from custom resources</title>
<title>Parsing of custom resources</title>
<para>
As a consequence of the RC format going away, calling gtk_rc_parse() or gtk_rc_parse_string()
won't be doing anything to the widget styling, the way to replace these calls is using the CSS
format, which is loaded through a #GtkCssProvider, and inserted as a style resource to an
individual widget through gtk_style_context_add_provider() or to all widgets in a screen through
gtk_style_context_add_provider_for_screen().
As a consequence of the RC format going away, calling gtk_rc_parse() or
gtk_rc_parse_string() won't have any effect on a widgets appearance.
The way to replace these calls is using a custom #GtkStyleProvider,
either for an individual widget through gtk_style_context_add_provider()
or for all widgets on a screen through gtk_style_context_add_provider_for_screen().
Typically, the provider will be a #GtkCssProvider, which parse CSS
information from a file or from a string.
</para>
<para>
Notice that you can also get style information from custom resources by implementing a
#GtkStyleProvider, where it would be translated to something the widget understands. Although
this is an advanced feature that should be rarely used.
Notice that you can also get style information from custom resources
by implementing the #GtkStyleProvider interface yourself. This is
an advanced feature that should be rarely used.
</para>
</refsect2>
@ -459,19 +508,20 @@
<title>Bonus points</title>
<para>
There are some features in #GtkStyleContext that weren't available in
There are some features in #GtkStyleContext that were not available in
#GtkStyle, or were made available over time for certain widgets through
extending the detail string in obscure ways. UI elements being rendered
may be provided now a lot more information, so going through this list
you'll ensure your widget is the perfect citizen in a fully themable UI
extending the detail string in obscure ways. There is a lot more
information available when rendering UI elements, and it is accessible
in more uniform, less hacky ways. By going through this list you'll
ensure your widget is a good citizen in a fully themable user interface.
</para>
<orderedlist>
<listitem>
If your widget renders a series of similar elements, such as tabs
in a #GtkNotebook or rows/column in a #GtkTreeView, consider adding
regions through gtk_style_context_add_region(), these regions can be
referenced in CSS and the :nth-child pseudoclass may be used to match
regions through gtk_style_context_add_region(). These regions can be
referenced in CSS and the :nth-child pseudo-class may be used to match
the elements depending on the flags passed.
<example>
@ -490,15 +540,17 @@
<listitem>
<para>
If your container renders child widgets within different regions, make it implement
<literal>GtkContainer::get_path_for_child()</literal>, This function lets containers
assign special #GtkWidgetPath<!-- -->s to child widgets depending on its role/region,
this is necessary to extend the concept above throughout the widget hierarchy.
If your container renders child widgets within different regions,
make it implement GtkContainer::get_path_for_child(). This function
lets containers assign a special #GtkWidgetPath to child widgets
depending on their role/region. This is necessary to extend the
concept above throughout the widget hierarchy.
</para>
<para>
For example, a #GtkNotebook would modify the tab labels' #GtkWidgetPath so the
"tab" region is added, doing this so would allow the tab label to be themed through:
For example, a #GtkNotebook modifies the tab labels' #GtkWidgetPath
so the "tab" region is added. This makes it possible to theme tab
labels through:
</para>
<example>
@ -513,28 +565,33 @@
</listitem>
<listitem>
If you intend several visual elements to look interconnected, make sure you specify
rendered elements' connection areas through gtk_style_context_set_junction_sides()
If you intend several visual elements to look interconnected,
make sure you specify rendered elements' connection areas with
gtk_style_context_set_junction_sides(). It is of course up to the
theme to make use of this information or not.
</listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
#GtkStyleContext supports implicit animations on state changes for the most simple
cases, widgets with one single animatable area, which are changed state through
gtk_widget_set_state_flags() or gtk_widget_unset_state_flags(). These functions
trigger the animations for the affected state flags.
#GtkStyleContext supports implicit animations on state changes for
the most simple case out-of-the-box: widgets with a single animatable
area, whose state is changed with gtk_widget_set_state_flags() or
gtk_widget_unset_state_flags(). These functions trigger animated
transitions for the affected state flags. Examples of widgets for
which this kind of animation may be sufficient are #GtkButton or
#GtkEntry.
</para>
<para>
If your widget consists of more than a simple area (such as buttons or entries),
and these different areas may be rendered with different states, make sure to
mark the rendered areas through gtk_style_context_push_animatable_region() and
If your widget consists of more than a simple area, and these areas
may be rendered with different states, make sure to mark the rendered
areas with gtk_style_context_push_animatable_region() and
gtk_style_context_pop_animatable_region().
</para>
<para>
gtk_style_context_notify_state_change() may be used to trigger a transition for
a given state, the region ID will determine the animatable region that becomes
affected by this transition.
gtk_style_context_notify_state_change() may be used to trigger a
transition for a given state. The region ID will determine the
animatable region that is affected by this transition.
</para>
</listitem>
</orderedlist>