Tabbed document interface: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

In graphical user interfaces in computer applications, a tabbed document interface (TDI) is one that relies on tabbed panes to hold child windows. This style of interface may work in conjunction with a full Multiple Document Interface (MDI) or as an alternative. In the latter case, it is more limited than MDI: it is only possible to display only one child window at a time in the parent window; they cannot be tiled or cascaded.

Internet web browsers are notable for implementing this kind of interface (called tabbed browsing), an approach pioneered by NetCaptor, an alternative interface to Microsoft Internet Explorer. It was soon followed by Opera v6.0 in November 2001 (before this Opera only allowed a full MDI implementation) and subsequently adopted by Mozilla and a number of others. As of February 2004, most current graphical web browsers, with the notable exception of Microsoft Internet Explorer, natively support a TDI. Software, such as the freeware Crazy Browser, is available to add a TDI around Internet Explorer.

One important advantage of the tabbed document interface is that it holds many different documents logically under the one window, instead of holding a lot of small child windows, though, if too many documents are open, the tabs can be rather difficult to manage or label. Another is that sets of related documents can be grouped within each of several windows.

Document interface comparison:

Tabbed Document Interface : each window contains several views displayed one at a time

Multiple Document Interface : each window contains several views displayed as child windows

Single Document Interface : each window contains one view

Example programs

Browsers

• Kazehakase
• Camino
• Mozilla Firefox
• Konqueror
• Konsole
• Epiphany
• Mozilla
• Netscape
• OmniWeb
• Opera
• Safari
• ELinks

Editors

• Microsoft Excel
• NoteTab
• Editpad