>> 2. Why not show scalars and matrices in the main window? > > We've been over this before in the mailing list. I don't say that > the issue is resolved but I would ask: please think about how > _exactly_ this should be done. It's easy to say in general terms, > but (IMO) quite difficult to come up with a concrete design that > does not just over-complicate the main gretl window.
I have been waiting for this issue to come up in the list :-) How about improving the main window so that the main window and the icon view become the same thing? Here is my suggestion: 1)- All objects such as scalars, matrices, variables (after all variables are vectors) as well as models and plots are listed in the main window. 2)- A fourth column named "Type" is added to the main window specifying the type of various objects. (As you know, there are currently 3 columns in the main window namely "ID#," "Variable name" and "Descriptive label.") 3)- A "sort on click" feature is implemented so that, just by clicking on the column heads, the user will be able to sort the objects based on name, ID#, type etc. This feature makes the "Sort variables" item in the Tools menu unnecessary as well. 4)- This setup also makes it possible over time to add more functionality to the right click menu depending on what is selected. For example, if the user selects a matrix item, the right click menu could show the options to edit the matrix, display it, transpose it etc. 5)- As for the icon view, in the View menu, a new "Detailed list view" is added above the "Icon view" item. The detailed list view would be the default view, however, the user could get all the objects presented in the main window as little icons by selecting the icon view. 6)- The icon view specific items such as the model table, the graph page, correlations, notes etc. are moved to the toolbar at the bottom of the main window. 7)- At this point, it would be nice if this bottom toolbar could also float or anchored giving way to new toolbars in the future such as a "Matrix operations" toolbar or a "Graphing" toolbar. Implementing all these probably require substantial effort but I think this setup would provide a better framework for future development of Gretl. What do you think? Talha -- “Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.” - Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) --
