Rhino API Glossary

This document provides context for developers of Rhino applications.
CLASSPATH relative
A file or product name that is found in one of the directories specified in CLASSPATH. For example, if you have an icon image file named myIcon.gif in the directory my/packages/images and CLASSPATH includes the directory my/package, then a CLASSPATH relative property should refer to the icon as: myProperty.icon = images/myIcon.gif.

Golden ratio
The ratio of the length to the width of a rectange that is considered the most pleasing to the eye. The number is approximately 1.618, and is found by solving the equation: g = 1/(1+g).

icon image file
The filename of a image of a supported format, such as GIF or JPEG.

Point
One point is equal to 1/72 of an inch. Sizes are specified in points so that the User interface looks the same on screens of different resolutions.

Product Attributes
Product Attributes are pieces of TaskData that are applicable to many of the Tasks in a particular product. A Task can request that Product Attributes for its product be loaded by using the PRODUCT_ATTRIBUTES property. Once the user has specified the ProductAttributes, they will not be asked to enter that data again (for the duration of their session).

Run-Once Behavior
An application that has run-once behavior only allows one instance of the application to be run by the client at any given time. Attempting to launch the application a second time will cause the first instance of the application window to be opened (if iconified) and brought to the front of the window hierarchy.

Some applications allow multiple instances to run, but each instance must have different operands. For example, RunTask will allow multiple Tasks to run simultaneously, but attempts to run a second instance of a particular task will result in the first instance to be opened and brought to the front of the window hierarchy.