Abstract: A method, computer program product and system for allocating the memory space in a frame buffer. A Device Dependent Layer (DDX) of an X-server may read command line options or alternatively an option selected by a user. If the command line options or alternatively the user selectable option indicates to allocate the memory space in the frame buffer to support a particular type of stereo, e.g., double buffered stereo, single buffered stereo, then the DDX may allocate the memory space in the frame buffer accordingly. If the memory space of the frame buffer is allocated for single buffered stereo, then the extra memory space in the frame buffer from not supporting double buffered stereo may be allocated for texture and/or off screen caching.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for processing graphics data. A set of clip areas defining a window for use in clipping graphics data is identified in which a portion of the graphics data is obscured. A clip area in a first hardware clipper is set, wherein the clip area encompasses the window to process the graphics data. The graphics data within the first clip area is graphics data to be displayed. A no clip area is set in a second hardware clipper, wherein the no clip area encompasses the portion and wherein which graphics data in the second clip area is to remain undisplayed. The graphics data is sent to the first hardware clipper and the second hardware clipper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a data processing system for processing a request to display a pattern. A plurality of partitions is created in a memory in a graphics adapter in the data processing system, wherein each partition within the plurality of partitions has a size equal to each of the other partitions within the plurality partitions. A determination is made as to whether the pattern is present within the plurality of partitions. The pattern is displayed using the plurality of partitions if the pattern is present within the plurality of partitions. The pattern is retrieved from another location if the pattern is absent from the plurality of partitions. Responsive to retrieving the pattern from another location, the pattern is stored if the pattern is within the size.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for displaying data. Each entry in a plurality of entries for an overlay window attribute table (WAT) is set with identical information in which a window identifier is unnecessary for accessing the information in the overlay WAT. Information in a color WAT is retrieved using the set of window identifiers in response to receiving a set of window identifiers. The information in the overlay WAT is retrieved without requiring the window identifier. Pixels are displayed on a display screen using the information retrieved from the color WAT and the information retrieved from the overlay WAT.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of appending a group of files to files on a clipboard of a desktop are provided. The system, apparatus and method include displaying a first window having an option that allows a group of files to be appended to files on the clipboard and asserting the option to append the files. The first window is ordinarily displayed after at least one file has been copied onto the clipboard and a second file is selected to be copied. In the case where at least one file has not already been copied onto the clipboard, a second window is displayed. The second window has an option that allows only one file or group of files to be copied onto the clipboard. The first window further contains an option that allows a file or a group of files to replace file or files already copied on the clipboard.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing color maps in a data processing system. Responsive to a request to add a color map to a color table, a determination is made as to whether the color map is already installed in the color table. If the color map is not already installed in the color table, a decision is made as to whether a free block of color table entries sufficient to hold the color map is present in the color table. A determination is made as to whether existing blocks of color table entries in the color table can be rearranged to form a new free block of color table entries, if the free block of color table entries is insufficient to hold the color map. The existing blocks of color table entries in the color table are rearranged if the existing blocks of color table entries can be rearranged to form the new free block of color table entries.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for storing colors in a color table used in displaying graphics in a data processing system. A request for a color map is received, wherein the request includes a number of entries for the color map. A color map location and size in the color table is set based on the number of entries in the request. Colors for the color map are loaded into the color table at the color map location, wherein dynamic sizing of color tables occurs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism by which the number of bits used to identify the WIDs for each of the color buffer and the overlay buffer may be programmed into the graphics adapter based on the currently active application environment. With the apparatus and method of the present invention, a programmable WAT color size selection device is provided in a RAMDAC of the graphics adapter. This programmable WAT color size selection device may be dynamically programmed to use varying bit splits of a WID from a WID buffer to obtain different indexes into a color WAT table and an overlay WAT table. In this way, different splits of, for example, an eight bit WID may be obtained based on the setting of the programmable WAT color size selection device such that varying color and overlay capabilities are obtainable dynamically.

Abstract: A method, data processing system, and computer instructions for simulating direct frame buffer access. A request for access to a frame buffer memory is received from an application. A portion of system memory is allocated for use as the frame buffer memory in response to receiving the request. A pointer to the portion of system memory is returned to the application. The application writes data to the portion of system memory, treating the portion of system memory like the frame buffer memory.

Abstract: In a basic display screen interface implementation for enabling an interactive user to move a data component from a source to a destination in said system via means for representing said data component by an item, e.g. icon on said display screen combined with means for interactively dragging said item from an initial location on said screen representative of said source to a final location representative of said destination, there is provided a further expedient for interactively modifying the data component before said dragged item reaches said final location. The implement for dragging said icon includes an implement for dragging the icon into contact with another icon to thereby activate the means for interactively modifying the data component represented by said dragged icon.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for displaying data. Each entry in a plurality of entries for an overlay window attribute table (WAT) is set with identical information in which a window identifier is unnecessary for accessing the information in the overlay WAT. Information in a color WAT is retrieved using the set of window identifiers in response to receiving a set of window identifiers. The information in the overlay WAT is retrieved without requiring the window identifier. Pixels are displayed on a display screen using the information retrieved from the color WAT and the information retrieved from the overlay WAT.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for managing a plurality of color tables in a display device. A request is received for a requested colormap of a particular type. In response to the colormap being absent, a determination is made as to whether an empty color table is present. In response to an empty color table being absent, a determination is made as to whether a color table containing a current colormap of the particular type is present. The current colormap is replaced with the requested colormap in response to a current color table of the particular type being present.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and system for allocating the memory space in a frame buffer. A Device Dependent Layer (DDX) of an X-server may read command line options or alternatively an option selected by a user. If the command line options or alternatively the user selectable option indicates to allocate the memory space in the frame buffer to support a particular type of stereo, e.g., double buffered stereo, single buffered stereo, then the DDX may allocate the memory space in the frame buffer accordingly. If the memory space of the frame buffer is allocated for single buffered stereo, then the extra memory space in the frame buffer from not supporting double buffered stereo may be allocated for texture and/or off screen caching.