window
Let an agent handle GUI windows by type, owner, state and accessibility, and separate them from building windows.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent handle GUI windows by type, owner, state and accessibility, and separate them from building windows.
In computing, a rectangular area of a graphical user interface that displays an application or document, which can be moved, resized, minimised and layered, including dialog boxes and modal windows.
What it is for: Organising what software shows on screen so that several applications and documents can be used at once.
It can be open, close, move and resize it; focus it, making it the active window; show dialogs, which may block input when modal; automate it, through accessibility and window APIs.
Distinguishing features
A GUI element, not a building part
Modal dialogs block interaction with their parent
Belongs to a process and application
Accessibility depends on exposing it to assistive technology
What it looks like
A rectangle with a title bar, controls to minimise, maximise and close, and content; dialogs are smaller and may block the window behind them.
How it is recognised
Title bar and window controls
Dialog boxes with buttons such as OK and Cancel
Active window highlighted by the system
Related models
is part of - GUI element
belongs to - owner
is confused with - a homonym
is used by - screen readers
In practice
Families and kinds
application windows
dialog boxes: alerts, file dialogs
modal and modeless windows
browser windows and tabs
paned windows
Identifiers
window handle OS-specific, such as HWND on Windows identifies a window in a session
Standards and regulation
WCAG and platform accessibility guidelines
EN 301 549 accessibility requirements for ICT
Platform human interface guidelines
Failure modes and hazards
Modal dialogs hidden behind other windows
Spoofed dialogs in phishing
Windows not exposed to screen readers
Unexpected focus stealing
Also called
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.window-2
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Identity Which window.
Agents operating GUIs must identify windows reliably.
Owner
Application and process.
Owner
The owning application.
- Which application and process owns this window? provenance
- Is it genuine or a spoof? boundary
Type
Main, dialog, modal.
Type
The window type.
- Is this a main window, dialog or modal? definition
- Does it block its parent? boundary
State Position and focus.
State decides what the user sees.
Geometry
Size and position.
Geometry
Size and position.
- Where is the window, and how large? measurement
- Is it on screen or hidden? boundary
Focus
Active window.
Focus
Focus state.
- Is it the active window? definition
- What will receive keyboard input? boundary
Interaction Using the window.
Dialogs ask for decisions that may be irreversible.
Controls
Buttons and fields.
Controls
Controls present.
- Which controls does the window offer? definition
- Which action is irreversible? boundary
Confirmation
Consent before acting.
Confirmation
When to ask the user.
- Should an agent ask the user before clicking this? action
- What does the dialog actually ask? definition
Accessibility Assistive technology.
Windows must be usable by everyone.
Exposure
Accessibility tree.
Accessibility
Exposure to assistive tech.
- Is the window exposed to screen readers with correct roles and names? measurement
- Can it be operated by keyboard? measurement
Standards
WCAG and EN 301 549.
Conformance
Conformance status.
- Does it meet the applicable accessibility standard? boundary
- Where are failures reported? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should dialog types be separate entries?
- How should agents that operate GUIs identify windows safely?
- How should spoofed dialogs be recognised?