What is X?

Crowebert · 08-05-2003, 05:40 PM

something tells me this is a simple question with a not-so simple answer...

What is X?

I have heard it used in reference to everything from user desktops such as KDE and Gnome to remote users connecting to another system.

Is there a simple answer for this, or should I just give up and try to learn it as I go?

contrasutra · 08-05-2003, 06:29 PM

It could be used in two respects:

1. Short for XFREE86. That is your graphical server. It is actually responsible for drawing the windows on your screen. You can use different WindowManagers to help control movement and look of the windows and their borders.

2. Short for X11R6. This is a standard and a specification for how to draw the graphics. Xfree86 is an X11 compliant server.

Tinkster · 08-05-2003, 06:31 PM

X is a client/server model (network transparent) for
graphical displays.

Window managers, Desktop environments, they
all just run on top of it/utilize its features (window
positioning, moving, resizing, ...) which is the reason
that you'll encounter most different behaviour in
different WM's despite the fact that you're always
running X :} ...

Cheers,
Tink

Crowebert · 08-05-2003, 09:28 PM

kewl. i'm not sure if that answers all my questions, but it serves for now. thx!