External links
- Official website
- The Window Manager Specification Project at freedesktop.org
- Extended Window Manager Hints Support For FVWM
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Extended Window Manager Hints, a.k.a. NetWM, [1] is an X Window System standard for the communication between window managers and applications. It builds on the functionality of the Inter-Client Communication Conventions Manual (ICCCM).
These standards formulate protocols for the mediation of access to shared X resources, like the screen and the input focus. Applications request access, while the window manager grants or denies it. Communication occurs via X properties and client messages. The EWMH is a comprehensive set of protocols to implement a desktop environment. It defines both required and optional protocols. The window manager may choose to implement virtual desktops or a layered stacking order, but if it does, then the EWMH defines how this is communicated.
All EWMH protocol identifiers start with the five letter prefix _NET_.
The WM must update a set of properties on the root window:
An application may send client messages to a window manager:
If the WM supports window stacking:
If the WM supports virtual desktops:
A WM may choose to ignore these messages:
The EWMH defines these application window properties:
The ICCCM defines only three distinct states a window can be in:
In addition it supports an Urgent flag to request user attention.
The EWMH defines thirteen window state flags:
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