Cwm (window manager)
Stacking window manager
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
cwm (Calm Window Manager)[2] is a stacking window manager for the X Window System. While it is primarily developed as a part of OpenBSD's base system,[3] portable versions are available on other Unix-like operating systems.
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| cwm | |
|---|---|
cwm running on OpenBSD | |
| Original author | Marius Aamodt Eriksen |
| Developers | Marius Aamodt Eriksen, Andy Adamson, Niels Provos, Martin Murray, Dimitris Economou, Antti Nykänen |
| Release | 10 July 2004 |
| Stable release | |
| Written in | C |
| Operating system | Unix-like |
| Type | Window manager |
| License | ISC License |
| Website | cvsweb |
| Repository | |
History
Development of cwm started from patches to evilwm by Marius Aamodt Eriksen.[4] To ease the implementation of new features, cwm was eventually rewritten using some code from 9wm.[5] The last release by the original author came out in August 2005.[4]
In April 2007, cwm was imported into the OpenBSD source tree.[6] By January 2008, a substantial part of the original source code, including all of the 9wm code, was rewritten.[7]
cwm has been distributed with OpenBSD since version 4.2, where it replaced wm2.[8] A third-party Linux port also exists.[9]
Description
cwm is a stacking window manager oriented towards heavy keyboard usage,[10][11] small footprint and ease of use. While it lacks explicit virtual desktops functionality, it can be emulated by using the window groups mechanism.[12] cwm does not draw window decorations except for a border around windows.
cwm includes several menus:[11]
- exec menu (launch an application)
- window menu (search for a running application)
- ssh to menu (start a Secure Shell session)
- exec wm menu (switch to a different window manager)
All these menus operate in a "search as you type" manner.[11]
cwm allows raising, hiding, switching between, and searching for windows using just the keyboard, making it suitable to use as terminal emulator multiplexer.[13] Furthermore, it allows manipulating pointing devices, such as mice, with the keyboard.[2]
Additional key bindings and configuration options can be specified in the configuration file ~/.cwmrc.
Reception
cwm is generally well received in software minimalist communities.[11]
cwm is noted to be used mainly due to its status as one of the default window managers in OpenBSD,[14] though other reasons are sometimes cited.[15][16] cwm is also praised for its flexibility, ease of use, and the fact that it can be used without a mouse.[13][17]
