# UI Layout Definition Format **Version:** 1.6 **Documentation Version:** 1.6 **Author:** Dalibor Votruba **URL:** [quadarax.com/ui-layout-def](https://quadarax.com/ui-layout-def) A comprehensive XML-based format for describing user interface layouts with inheritance, pattern definitions, view organization, external includes, platform-specific extensions, and advanced validation. This format enables cross-platform UI generation with strict validation, modular component libraries, and modern development practices. ## Table of Contents - [Overview](#overview) - [What's New in v1.6](#whats-new-in-v16) - [Core Concepts](#core-concepts) - [Document Structure](#document-structure) - [View Definitions](#view-definitions) - [Pattern Definitions](#pattern-definitions) - [Wireframe Inheritance](#wireframe-inheritance) - [Window Definitions](#window-definitions) - [External Includes](#external-includes) - [Window Includes](#window-includes) - [Validation System](#validation-system) - [Platform Support](#platform-support) - [Advanced Features](#advanced-features) - [Examples](#examples) - [Best Practices](#best-practices) - [Migration Guide](#migration-guide) ## Overview The UI Layout Definition Format provides a standardized way to define user interfaces that can be translated to various platforms (Windows Forms, WPF, Avalonia, Qt, Web, Mobile). It emphasizes: - **View-Based Organization**: Logical grouping of related UI components by business function - **Separation of Concerns**: Pattern definitions separate from usage - **Inheritance**: Base wireframes and views with specific overrides - **External Includes**: Modular design with external pattern, view, validation, and window files - **Advanced Validation**: Comprehensive rule system with custom validators and profiles - **Cross-Platform**: Platform-specific control libraries with unified abstractions - **Modern Features**: State management, accessibility, performance optimization, testing support ## What's New in v1.6 ### New in v1.6 1. **Supported View Modes** - New `supported-view-modes` element for views - Define multiple display modes: grid, gallery, tree - Set default mode and enable/disable modes per view - Mode descriptions for documentation 2. **Enhanced View Descriptions** - Added `description` attribute to `DataPropertyType` for documenting data context properties - Added `description` attribute to `ViewBehaviorType` for documenting behaviors - Added `description` attribute to `PublishedEventType` for documenting events ### Major Enhancements (from v1.5) 1. **Advanced State Management** - Redux and MobX pattern support - Hierarchical and concurrent state machines - Persistence strategies (session, local, remote, distributed) - State transitions with conditions and actions 2. **Comprehensive Accessibility Framework** - WCAG 2.1 AA/AAA compliance tracking - Section 508 and ADA support - Screen reader optimization - Voice control and eye-tracking integration - High contrast and magnification support 3. **Performance Optimization System** - Performance metrics and targets - Lazy loading and virtualization - Memory and CPU monitoring - Auto-optimization suggestions - Frame rate optimization 4. **Security and Data Protection** - GDPR compliance features - Vulnerability protection patterns - Data encryption and anonymization - Permission-based access control - Security audit trails 5. **Enhanced Testing Framework** - Automated test generation - Multiple testing strategies (unit, integration, UI, e2e) - Accessibility testing automation - Performance testing integration - Cross-browser compatibility testing 6. **Advanced Localization** - RTL (Right-to-Left) language support - Cultural adaptation features - Resource bundle management - Dynamic language switching - Localization quality tracking 7. **Modern UI Controls** - Advanced Avalonia 11.0+ controls - Enhanced WinForms .NET 6+ support - New Gallery control for customizable item displays with box templates - Touch and gesture support - Animation and transition systems - Responsive design patterns 8. **Validation System 2.0** - Custom validator framework - Validation profiles and inheritance - Auto-fix suggestions - Performance-optimized validation - Integration testing for rules ### Breaking Changes from v1.6 - No breaking changes from v1.5 to v1.6 - Enhanced schema validation requires updates to custom validators - Some deprecated attributes removed (see migration guide) - New required accessibility attributes for certain control types - Updated namespace declarations for external schemas ### Schema Validation Status ✅ **All schema files and definitions are validated and consistent** - All XSD schema files pass validation - Pattern definitions (abstract-controls.xml) validate successfully against schemas - Gallery control integration is fully validated - Namespace declarations are correct and consistent across all files ## Core Concepts ### 1. View-First Design Views represent logical business functions (ProductView, OrderView) that group related windows and define shared data context, state management, and behaviors. ### 2. Patterns-First Design All controls and structures must be defined in the `` section before use in windows, with comprehensive validation and platform-specific extensions. ### 3. External Includes Modular design allows splitting definitions across multiple files: - Pattern includes for control libraries - View includes for business logic organization - Validation includes for rule sets - Window includes for UI definitions ### 4. Advanced State Management Support for modern state management patterns including Redux, MobX, and state machines with persistence and synchronization. ### 5. Accessibility-First Design Built-in support for WCAG compliance, screen readers, voice control, and adaptive technologies. ### 6. Performance Optimization Integrated performance monitoring, lazy loading, virtualization, and optimization suggestions. ### 7. Security by Design Comprehensive security framework with vulnerability protection, data encryption, and audit trails. ## Document Structure ```xml ... ... ``` ## Advanced Features ### Supported View Modes ```xml ``` ### State Management ```xml ``` ### Accessibility Framework ```xml ``` ### Performance Optimization ```xml ``` ### Security Framework ```xml ``` ### Testing Integration ```xml ``` ### Localization Support ```xml ``` ## Platform Support ### Enhanced Platform Integration **Avalonia UI 11.0+** - Full Avalonia 11 control set with modern features - Advanced theming and styling support - Cross-platform graphics and animations - Touch and gesture recognition - Performance optimizations and virtualization **Windows Forms .NET 6+** - Modern .NET 6+ WinForms support - High DPI awareness and scaling - Accessibility improvements - Enhanced data binding - WebView2 integration **Web Technologies** - Progressive Web App (PWA) support - Modern CSS Grid and Flexbox layouts - Web Components architecture - Web Awesome (formerly Shoelace) component library support - Accessibility standards compliance - Performance optimization techniques **Mobile Platforms** - Responsive design patterns - Touch-first interactions - Platform-specific optimizations - Native control integration - Performance monitoring ## Migration Guide ### From Version 1.5 to 1.6 #### No Breaking Changes Version 1.6 is backward compatible with v1.5. Simply update the version attributes: ```xml ``` #### New Features Available 1. **Supported View Modes** ```xml ``` 2. **Enhanced Descriptions** ```xml ``` ### From Version 1.4 to 1.5 #### Automatic Migration Support Version 1.5 includes an automatic migration tool that can upgrade most 1.4 documents: ```bash ui-layout-migrate --from 1.4 --to 1.5 --input myapp.xml --output myapp-v15.xml ``` #### Required Changes 1. **Update Schema References** ```xml ``` 2. **Add Accessibility Compliance** ```xml ``` 3. **Update Control Declarations** - Add `schema-version="1.6"` to custom controls - Update deprecated attribute names - Add accessibility attributes where required 4. **Enhanced Validation Rules** - Custom validators need implementation updates - New validation profiles should be configured - Performance and security rules are now included #### Optional Enhancements 1. **Add State Management** ```xml ``` 2. **Enable Performance Monitoring** ```xml ``` 3. **Configure Testing** ```xml ``` 4. **Add Localization Support** ```xml ``` #### Compatibility Matrix | Feature | v1.4 | v1.5 | v1.6 | Migration Required | |---------|------|------|------|-------------------| | Basic Controls | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | No | | Window Includes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | No | | View Definitions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Optional | | State Management | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | New Feature (v1.5) | | Accessibility | Basic | Enhanced | Enhanced | Recommended | | Performance | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | New Feature (v1.5) | | Security | Basic | Enhanced | Enhanced | Recommended | | Testing | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | New Feature (v1.5) | | Localization | Basic | Enhanced | Enhanced | Optional | | Supported View Modes | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | New Feature (v1.6) | | Description Attributes | Basic | Basic | Enhanced | Optional | ### Breaking Changes 1. **Removed Deprecated Attributes** - `legacy-mode` attribute removed - `compatibility-level` replaced with `schema-version` 2. **Enhanced Validation Requirements** - Accessibility attributes now required for interactive controls - Performance targets recommended for data-heavy views 3. **Updated Namespace Requirements** - New namespace imports required for advanced features - External schema references updated ### Best Practices for Migration 1. **Incremental Migration** - Migrate core functionality first - Add advanced features incrementally - Test each migration step thoroughly 2. **Validation First** - Run validation before and after migration - Address all validation errors before proceeding - Use validation profiles for consistent results 3. **Testing Integration** - Add basic test scenarios during migration - Implement accessibility testing early - Use automated migration testing tools 4. **Performance Optimization** - Profile application performance before migration - Set realistic performance targets - Monitor improvements after migration ## Pattern Definitions ### New Gallery Control The Gallery control is a specialized list control for displaying collections of items in customizable boxes with templates: ```xml Gallery control for displaying collection of items in customizable boxes with templates Panel,SplitPanel,PopupPanel,TabPage GalleryItem true gallery-items,box-template ``` ### Gallery Usage Example ```xml ``` ### Web Awesome Controls Version 1.5 introduces comprehensive support for Web Awesome (formerly Shoelace) components, providing modern web components for web platform targets: ```xml ``` #### Web Awesome Control Categories **Action Controls** - `wa-button` - Enhanced buttons with variants, sizes, and loading states - `wa-button-group` - Organize buttons in horizontal/vertical groups - `wa-copy-button` - Copy content to clipboard with feedback - `wa-dropdown` - Contextual overlays with positioning - `wa-qr-code` - Dynamic QR code generation **Form Controls** - `wa-input` - Enhanced text inputs with validation - `wa-select` - Dropdown selections with search and multi-select - `wa-checkbox`, `wa-radio-group` - Form selections - `wa-slider`, `wa-rating` - Value inputs - `wa-color-picker` - Color selection with multiple formats - `wa-textarea` - Multi-line text input **Feedback & Status** - `wa-badge` - Status indicators - `wa-callout` - Alert messages and notifications - `wa-progress-bar`, `wa-progress-ring` - Progress indicators - `wa-spinner`, `wa-skeleton` - Loading states - `wa-tooltip` - Contextual information **Navigation** - `wa-breadcrumb` - Hierarchical navigation - `wa-tab-group`, `wa-tab` - Tabbed interfaces - `wa-tree` - Hierarchical data display **Organization** - `wa-card` - Content containers - `wa-dialog`, `wa-drawer` - Modal interfaces - `wa-details` - Collapsible content - `wa-split-panel` - Resizable layouts #### Web Awesome Usage Example ```xml

Product Form

Electronics Clothing Books
Save Product Reset
``` ### Enhanced Control Definitions ```xml Enhanced text input with validation and accessibility Panel,FormField none false ``` ### Custom Validators ```xml Validates email address format user@example.com pass invalid-email fail Invalid email format Production-ready validation profile with comprehensive checks ``` ## Advanced View Definitions ### Modern Business View ```xml AI-enhanced product management with real-time collaboration Development Team 2.1.0 2024-01-15 https://docs.company.com/product-view ai-enhanced real-time collaborative ``` --- *This format specification v1.6 enables modern, accessible, performant, and secure cross-platform UI definitions with advanced development practices, comprehensive validation, and state-of-the-art tooling support.*