The IRIS ViewKit class library includes the components required for common application features and for integration into Silicon Graphics' Indigo Magic(tm) user environment. Each individual component encapsulates the functionality required for a task, such as rendering and displaying a 3D object or playing a QuickTime(tm) movie. For features specific to a particular application, developers may easily create their own components by extending the IRIS ViewKit library.
"At a recent conference, our developers expressed an overwhelming need for the functionality that is built into the IRIS ViewKit class library" said Way Ting, vice president and general manager of Silicon Graphics' Visual Magic Division. "By eliminating the mundane coding traditionally required for common features and by facilitating a common application architecture, IRIS ViewKit will enable developers to bring products with a high-quality user interface to market more quickly."The IRIS ViewKit class library is an implementation of the concepts discussed by Douglas A. Young, principal engineer at Silicon Graphics, in his book, Object-Oriented Programming with C++ and OSF/Motif. According to Young, "The IRIS ViewKit class library encourages an object-oriented approach to application development that results in cleaner architectural design and more easily maintainable code. Developers who occasionally require more flexibility still have full access to the Motif user interface library."
The IRIS ViewKit class library is bundled with Silicon Graphics' C++
compiler and is available immediately from Silicon Graphics. The
single-user bundle is reasonably priced and discounted multi-user
bundles are also available.
