# XForms > widget toolkit for the X Window System **Wikidata**: [Q1096034](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1096034) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XForms_(toolkit)) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/xforms ## Summary XForms is a widget toolkit designed for the X Window System, distributed as free software. It is primarily utilized on Unix-like operating systems to build graphical user interfaces. The toolkit is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License and is developed in the C programming language. ## Key Facts - **Classification:** XForms is a widget toolkit and free software. - **Operating System:** It runs on Unix-like operating systems. - **License:** The toolkit is distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License. - **Latest Version:** Version 1.2.4 was released on June 28, 2014. - **Source Code Repository:** The code is hosted at `http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/xforms.git`. - **Project Host:** The project is hosted on GNU Savannah (project ID: xforms). - **Official Website:** `http://xforms-toolkit.org/` - **Programming Language:** The source code is written in C (Wikidata Q15777). - **Software Port:** A port for XForms is available via MacPorts under the name `xforms`. ## FAQs ### Q: What is XForms used for? A: XForms is a widget toolkit used for developing graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for the X Window System. It provides developers with a set of widgets (buttons, sliders, etc.) to build applications primarily on Unix-like operating systems. ### Q: Is XForms free to use? A: Yes, XForms is free software. It allows users to freely run, study, change, and distribute the software and its modified versions under the terms of its license. ### Q: What license is XForms released under? A: XForms is released under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL). ### Q: Where can the source code for XForms be found? A: The source code repository is located at `http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/xforms.git` and is managed via the GNU Savannah project platform. ## Why It Matters XForms plays a specific role in the ecosystem of the X Window System, which is the standard graphical foundation for many Unix-like operating systems. As a widget toolkit, it solves the fundamental problem of simplifying GUI development by providing pre-built graphical components, saving developers from writing low-level rendering code for common interface elements. Its classification as free software under the GNU Lesser General Public License is significant for software freedom. It guarantees that users and developers have the legal right to study the code, modify it to suit their needs, and redistribute those modifications. This open nature fosters transparency and collaboration, ensuring the toolkit can be adapted for specialized scientific or industrial applications on Unix systems. The maintenance of the project on GNU Savannah and its inclusion in package managers like MacPorts and Repology further underscores its continued availability and relevance for specific development communities. ## Notable For - **X Window System Integration:** It is a distinct toolkit specifically built for the graphical framework used in Unix environments. - **Free Software Philosophy:** It operates under a copyleft license (LGPL) that actively promotes user rights to modify and redistribute code. - **Cross-Platform Availability:** While targeted at Unix-like systems, it is available through various distribution channels including MacPorts and Repology. - **GNU Project Association:** The project is hosted on GNU Savannah, linking it to the broader GNU operating system ecosystem. ## Body ### Overview and Architecture XForms is a GUI toolkit implemented for the X Window System. As a widget toolkit, its primary function is to provide a library of graphical control elements (widgets) that developers can use to construct the user interfaces of their software applications. It is categorized as free software, meaning it respects the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change, and improve the software. The toolkit is written in the C programming language. It is designed to function on Unix-like operating systems, which encompass a wide range of systems that behave similarly to Unix. ### Development and Version History The project is managed under the identifier `xforms` on GNU Savannah, a central hosting facility for free software. According to records sourced from the project's repository and announcement forums, the software has seen continued maintenance into the 2010s. A specific release, version **1.2.4**, was announced by developer Jens Thoms Törring on June 28, 2014. This release serves as a reference point for the toolkit's active development status during that period. ### Licensing and Distribution XForms is distributed under the **GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL)**. This license allows developers to link to the library from non-free (proprietary) software, which is a key distinction from the standard GPL. While the software is copyrighted, the licensing ensures it remains free for use and modification. Distribution is handled through several channels: - **Source Code:** Available directly via a Git repository (`http://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/xforms.git`) using the cgit interface. - **Package Managers:** The software is tracked by Repology (project name: `xforms`) and is available as a port in MacPorts (`xforms`). ### External Identifiers The toolkit is indexed in several databases and knowledge graphs: - **Wikidata:** Listed with a specific description as a "widget toolkit for the X Window System." - **Freebase:** Retains a legacy ID (`/m/0dwmms`). - **Wikipedia:** Articles are available in 6 languages (German, English, Estonian, French, Korean, and Ukrainian). - **Pro-Linux.de:** Database application ID 13956. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.openhub.net/p/xforms/analyses/latest/languages_summary) 2. [New release 1.2.4. 2014](https://savannah.nongnu.org/forum/forum.php?forum_id=8012) 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013