Single document interface
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In graphical user interfaces, a single document interface or SDI is a method of organizing graphical user interface applications into individual windows that the operating system's window manager handles separately. Each window contains its own menu or tool bar, and does not have a "background" window or "parent" window containing its menu or tool bar. Applications which allow the editing of more than one document at a time, e.g. word processors, may therefore give the user the impression that more than one instance of an application is open.
Often, each window is represented as an individual entry in the operating system's task bar or manager. Some task managers summarize windows of the same application. For example, Mac OS X uses a feature called Exposé which allows the user to temporarily see all windows belonging to a particular application.
[edit] Switching Between SDI and MDI (Multiple Document Interface)
The most common alternative to SDI is MDI (Multiple Document Interface). Switching between SDI and MDI is possible in some programs. For example, Microsoft provides directions on how to switch SDI and MDI [1]:
- Microsoft Office Word 2007 Click the Microsoft Office Button, click Word Options, and then click Advanced. Under Display, click to select (or click to clear) the Show all windows in the Taskbar check box. Click OK
- Microsoft Office Word 2003 and earlier versions of Word On the Tools menu, click Options. On the View tab, click to select (or click to clear) the Windows in Taskbar check box. Click OK.