Transition Windows

Transition windows were added to [EiffelStudio] in version [6.2] and are used to inform the user some action is being performed that may take a few seconds or more. They are visual cues to the user, beyond a simple wait cursor, preventing any other UI interaction whilst some foreground task is being processed.

A few examples of the use of transition windows are:

• Switching between edit/debug profiles.
• Submitting exceptions reports, while the report is being posted.
• Rescanning the code template catalog for changes.

Transition windows however are not to be used in place of a wait cursor. They are for prolonged tasks processed at the users request. Too many transition windows will hinder and annoy rather than simply assist in informing the user. For example, it would see like loading a project calls for a transition window because it can take a few seconds for large projects. However, showing a transition window as the project is loaded seems like it is adding a peripheral step to the opening project process. The are also visual cues that the project is loading from within the IDE and so a transition window here would not be recommended.

Transition windows are shown prior to running a task and are shutdown on the completion of a task.