Here we learn What is Gizmo ? Definition, Meaning and Different Type of Gizmo use in Visual Programming (VP).

Definition and Meaning of Gizmo

Gizmo are directly manipulable, self contained, visual screen idioms. They are primary building block for creating graphical user interface . The word 'gizmo' was coined by Mike Grey, the Microsoft call gizmos controls . Gizmo has always been pretty but writing them is a lot tougher. Microsoft has always come with standard gizmos, and these forms the basis of most interaction . These standard gizmo are integral part of the operating system.

Types of Gizmo

The gizmos can be categorized by many factors, when we examine them in light of users goal. We basically categorized them into four basic categories:

  1. Imperative Gizmo
  2. Selection Gizmo
  3. Entry Gizmo
    1. Bounded entry Gizmo
    2. Unbounded entry Gizmo
  4. Display Gizmo
  5. New Gizmo
    1. Sun Gizmo
    2. Rubber weeks
    3. Extraction Gizmo

1) The Imperative Gizmo

The gizmo which can be use to initiate a function. The interaction between humans and computers, there is a language of nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs. The gizmo types that corresponds to a verb is called Imperative Gizmo because it commands immediate action. Imperative gizmo takes action and they take it immediately.

For example, push button, buttons, menu items etc.

2) The Selection gizmo

Since the imperative gizmo is a verb, it needs a noun upon which to operate. A Selection Gizmo allows to choose an operand from a group of valid choices. Selection gizmo can presents either single choice or group of choices from which user can selects one or more choices.

For example: list box, check box , latching buttons , radio buttons, combo boxes, tree view gizmos. There are the different types of Select Gizmo are:

a) Check box:

Earliest visual gizmo idioms invented, and it remains the favorite for presenting a single, binary choices. 

b) Latching buttons

The latching buttons are the single – selection idiom. It was invented by applying simple principle of not letting the a button pop back out after it has been clicked. 

c) Radio buttons:

Radio buttons are the mutually exclusive idioms used for selection. They are more than checkbox. They waste same amount of space but becomes meaningful only in groups , so their waste is always multiplied. 

d) The combuttcon:

It is a variant of radio buttons in term of drop-down version. Because of similarity with combo box it is called combuttcon. 

e) List boxes:

Selection gizmo that present lists of text string often called picklists. It is powerful tool for simplifying the interaction because it eliminates possibility of making incorrect selection. 

f) Combo boxes:

Combo box is the selection gizmo introduced by windows 3.0. it is the combination of list and edit field. Because the edit field shows the current selection , combo box is by nature single selection gizmo. 

3) The Entry Gizmo

Entry gizmo enable the user to enter new information into the program, rather than merely selecting information from an existing list. The most basic entry gizmo is text edit fields. Also any gizmo that lets the user to enter a numeric value is an entry gizmo. Basically entry through gizmo are of two types

a) Bounded Entry Gizmo

Any gizmo that restricts the available set of  values that an user can enter a value is called bounded entry gizmo. For example: slider, spinner(It is the small edit field with two half- height buttons attached as shown in figure.) 

Also Read: What is Dialog Box? Definition, Properties and Type of Dialog Box

b) Unbounded Entry Gizmo

The gizmo which accepts any data the user keys into it as an open entry idiom is called unbounded entry gizmo. The unbounded entry of the user is bounded by the specific gizmo called validation gizmo.

When an gizmo actively rejects keystrokes during entry process  is known as hot validation gizmo When the gizmo waits until the user finishes data entry , is called cold validation gizmo Another good solution to the validation gizmo problem is clue box. It is little pop up window suggesting the probable input like tool tip.

4) Display Gizmo

These are the adjectives of gizmo grammar, modifying how our screen looks. This gizmos are used to display and manage the visual presentation of information on the screen rather than information itself. For example: text gizmo instead of edit  gizmo, label, scroll bars, etc.

5) New Gizmos

Beside all these categories of gizmo some new gizmos are invented as:

a) Sun Gizmo:

  • It is used for hinting .

b) Rubberweeks:

  • It can adapt any time scale from several hours to several weeks.
  • For Example: calendar gizmo for scheduling.

c) Extraction Gizmo:

  • An extraction gizmo parses contents from free entry according to some rule and provides the location.
  • For Example: address gizmo, processing gizmo etc.