The new Grid component in j601 is really exciting.
Here's a few highlights, some as step-ups from the previous grid control:
it is really fast, regardless that the previous grid was C++
automatic alternating colors and subtle borders are aesthetically attractive
scrollbars finally got tracking; its own scrollbars make it simpler to integrate a grid in a custom form
keyboard movements are more consistent and intuitive; keyboard selection works very well, though choice of Ctrl+Arrows as opposed to Shift+Arrows is non-typical.
excellent choice of fonts and text layout; automatic switch to mono space font for multiline cells.
automatic resizing of each cell and the grid window to fit all or most of the data.
Overall, it creates a solid professional look and feel.
It Just Works
The new grid overcomes adoption barrier by providing immediate use akin to the pattern of load 'plot' / plot whatever. So now it's
load 'grid' grid whatever
The usefulness of casual grid use is to free up the session space, display information side-by-side, allow for scrolling.
So let's see how far the whatever can be pushed.
A great companion for viewmat.
load 'viewmat' (grid ] viewmat) !/~i.8
A text browser, or a list similar to wdselect.
load 'files' grid ,.<;._2 toJ fread 'profile.ijs'
A directory browser.
grid 1!:0<'*.*'
An ad-hoc locale browser. I am really looking forward to see the ability of embed images as cell icons.
grid (,.<@nc_z_"0) nl_z_''
Displaying naturally tabular information.
load 'dates' grid 2 3$calendar 2006,>:i.6
Grid is amazingly adjustible to display higher rank information in a compact way. Note automatic switch to mono space font for multiline cells.
grid i.3 4 grid i.3 4 5 |length error: initdata | 'rws cls' =.s grid <"1 i.3 4 5 grid <"2 i.2 3 3 3
This can be taken even further combining with J boxed formatting. Grid mono spaced font nicely accomodates that. How about 6 dimensions in one view?!
grid <"2 each <"4 i.2 2 2 2 2 2
![/!\](/moin_static180/modernized/img/alert.png "/!\")
As of this writing grid did not display Unicode correctly.
Contributed by OlegKobchenko.
temporary note: I updated this page for the ibeta (make sure you download the latest version, see the forum message. Also, please note some proposals for the grid verb. -- ChrisBurke 2006-03-01 01:59:56