System aspects of windows

Low cost, high resolution bitmap displays available on inexpensive workstations permit the use of a new look, point-and-click style of user-interface for end computer users. Many window systems have been developed to allow application programs to adopt the graphical user-interface instead of the traditional text-oriented interface. Issues concerning the design of a window system to achieve good user and application interfaces are listed, together with the tradeoffs associated with them. In addition, the problems of building a window system to adapt to different combinations of hardware and operating systems (OS) are also described. Two prominent window systems are discussed. Their advantages and disadvantages give more insights into defining what a good window system should be