Algorithm to fit windows on desktop (like tile)

Question

I searching algorithm to solve problem like this:

I have few windows, each window can be moved and re sized but with specified ratio between width and height, eg. 2:1 (height:width).

Each window can't be on other window and all windows must be fully visible. Free area (desktop wallpaper visibility) must be minimal.

Can anyone tell me what algorithm i need for this type of problem?

Greetings,

Related: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1810550/position-boxes-like-in-expose http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4436043/expose-layout-algorithm http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1889229/the-logic-behind-macoss-expose — Josh Lee, Dec 16 '10 at 02:06

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 16 '10 at 10:20

Another approach, which might be simpler to implement than packing, would be to subdivide your screen size into the required number of panes, then fit a window which satisfies your other requirements inside the pane. Since you'll probably have a small number of windows open at any time, and since your screen doesn't change its size dynamically, you can probably pre-compute all the arrangements you need for 1 up to O(100) open windows.

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 16 '10 at 08:14

1

One approach would be to treat it as a 2D packing problem, like the 1D bin packing problem. There's a sample algorithm posted here, for example, with some good references.

answered Dec 16 '10 at 08:14

Tim Barrass

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What with window resizing feature? – Svisstack Dec 16 '10 at 12:07
Yes, all you need to do is relayout -- the layout algorithm is what you're after isn't it, not the infrastructure around it? – Tim Barrass Dec 16 '10 at 12:12

score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 09 '18 at 16:12

If you can relax the requirement that all windows have a given "aspect ratio" then the problem becomes very simple. Suppose you have N "tiles" to arrange on a single screen, then these can be arranged in columns where the number of columns, NumCols is the square root of N rounded up when N is not a perfect square. All columns of tiles are of equal width. The number of tiles in each column is then N/NumCols rounded either up or down as necessary to make the total number of columns be N. This is what Microsoft Excel does under View > Arrange All > Tiled. Excel chooses to put the columns with one fewer tiles on the left of the screen.

Algorithm to fit windows on desktop (like tile)

3 Answers3