SDI vs MDI

[Guest]

hi,
Im a new bie to windows application development..
i need clarification on SDI and MDI windows application..
what exactly is meant by a Single Document Interface and Multiple Document
Interface application? what is the difference between these 2 types..please
clarify

 

[Guest]

An MDI app has a main container window, and within it are multiple child
windows for multiple purposes (eg documents). You can't drag a child window
outside the confines of the main container window. If you need to see
multiple documents, you tell the app to open new child windows, but there
remains only one instance of the app. An example is MS Word.

An SDI app does not have the container-child notion. If you need to see
multiple documents in an SDI app, you start multiple instances of the app.
An example is MS Notepad.

Generally, that is it, but things can get confusing. Is an app MDI or SDI
if it creates at least two windows without any container-child relationship?
Is an app MDI or SDI if it creates at least two container windows? It is
clearer, IMO, to apply MDI and SDI to the technology and not to the app. An
app that has container-child windows is using MDI technology, and an app that
has windows without the container-child relationship is using SDI technology,
and an app can use both.

 

[Scott M.]

Generally, that is it, but things can get confusing.

Why?

Is an app MDI or SDI if it creates at least two windows without any
container-child relationship?
No.

Is an app MDI or SDI if it creates at least two container windows?

MDI