Mydows Javascript Window Library

Setting it up

First, download prototype.js, then download mydows.js. Include them as you would any Javascript file, making sure to call mydows_init(); before attempting to open any new mydows. You'll also need to download a copy of the default img directory, unzip it and place it in the directory with your webpage.

 
<script src="prototype.js"></script>
<script src="mydows.js"></script>>
...
window.load=function() {
	mydows_init();
	}

Your first window

 
function first_window() {
	show_close_button=1;
	show_maximize_button=1;
	var w= new_mydow("My Window");
	$(w.statbar).update("Some helpful information");
	$(w.body).update (
		"<h3>The following hash was returned</h3>" +
		"<ul>"+
		"<li>handle: '"+w.handle+"'</li>"+
		"<li>frame: '"+w.frame+"'</li>"+
		"<li>body: '"+w.body+"'</li>"+
		"<li>title: '"+w.title+"'</li>"+
		"<li>title_msg: '"+w.title_msg+"'</li>"+
		"<li>statbar: '"+w.statbar+"'</li>"+
		"</ul>"
	);
}

new_mydow() generates and inserts all of the critical parts of a window, and returns a hash of values that represent each elements id. In addition to this the mydows global hash is updated to contain the handle as a key and a hash of runtime information as its value. Click for an Example.

More control over your windows

 
function more_control() {
	show_close_button=0;
	show_maximize_button=0;
	new_mydow("More Control");
}
...
mydow_set_position('More Control',200,500,300,200);
...
kill_mydow('More Control');

Try opening, resizing, or closing the window.

Brutally easy Ajax

 
function easy_ajax() {
	show_close_button=1;
	show_maximize_button=0;
	mydow_default_w=427;
	mydow_default_h=386;
	var w=new_mydow("Tux in an orb");
	mydow_load(w.handle, "ajax_example.php");
}

Try it out: Example.

Advanced effects

 
<script src="scriptaculous.js"></script>
...
Effect.SlideUp(mydow.frame);
...
kill_mydow(mydow.handle);

Mydows is a minimalist library, it tries to provide the minimum amount of functionality needed to manage windows within a webpage. Because of this it mixes well with using the prototype and scriptaculous APIs.