Graphical computer applications with an IDE-style interface (IDE) are those whose child windows reside under a single parent window (usually with the exception of modal windows). An IDE-style interface is distinguishable form of Multiple Document Interface (MDI), because all child windows in an IDE-style interface are enhanced with added functionality not ordinarily available in MDI applications. Because of this, IDE-style applications can be considered a functional superset and descendant of MDI applications.
Examples of enhanced child-window functionality include:
- Dockable child windows
- Collapsable child windows
- Tabbed document interface for sub-panes
- Independent sub-panes of the parent window
- GUI splitters to resize sub-panes of the parent window
- Persistence for window arrangements
Read more about this topic: Multiple Document Interface