# File Selection Box widget

The File Selection Box widget is a composite widget whose purpose is to allow users to browse through the file system and choose a file.

At the top of the File Selection Box is a text widget which is to contain a file filtering pattern.

Underneath the file filter is a scrolling list for the directories which pass the filter.

To the right of the directories list is a scrolling list for the files which pass the filter.

Below the directory and file lists is a text widget which displays the current user selection.

Lastly, there are, located at the bottom of the dialog, various buttons usually labeled "OK", "Filter", "Cancel" and "Help". These are fairly self-evident: the Filter button is intended to be used to refresh the file and directory lists so as they contain only those items in the file system which match the current user-defined filter.

You may alter the default resource settings for the component widgets but you may not delete them from the composite widget.

A File Selection Box is an example of a Selection Box and shares much of the same behavior. In particular, you can make a selection either by selecting from the scrolling list or by typing it directly into the selection text widget.

For more information you are referred to XmFileSelectionBox (3X) in the OSF/Motif Programmer's Reference.

NOTES

In Motif 1.1, you could add a single child widget to a file selection box in order to provide some extra functionality. In Motif 1.2, you can add any number of children, although the File Selection Box does make some restrictions and assumptions about the added children. You are referred to your OSF/Motif Programming Manual for more information in this area.

The buttons in a file selection box are not widgets but gadgets and so will not highlight when selected.

If you want to change the labels of the buttons, they should be changed using the Labels page of the Selection Box resource panel and not by setting resources using the Label resource panel.

See also:

- Selection Box widget
- Push Button widget
- Selection Box resource panel
- About WorkShop Visual