Original author(s) | Anselm R. Garbe[1] |
---|---|
Developer(s) | suckless.org |
Initial release | July 14, 2006[2] |
Stable release | 6.4[3] ![]() |
Repository | |
Written in | C |
Operating system | Unix-like |
Size | 26 KB (source code)[4] |
Type | Window manager |
License | MIT[5] |
Website | dwm |
dwm is a minimalist dynamic window manager for the X Window System developed by Suckless that has influenced the development of several other X window managers, including xmonad[6] and awesome.[7][8] It is externally similar to wmii, but internally much simpler. dwm is written purely in C for performance and security in addition to simplicity,[9] and lacks any configuration interface besides editing the source code.[10] One of the project's guidelines is that the source code is intended to never exceed 2000 SLOC, and options meant to be user-configurable are all contained in a single header file.[8]
dwm supports multiple workspaces and, unlike ratpoison, allows moving and resizing windows with the mouse.[11] Older versions of dwm displayed their stdin in a status bar, along the edge of the screen. Recent versions instead display the root window's name, which can be set by independent processes. This is often used to show information that would appear in the notification area of other desktop environments—a clock, system load info, laptop battery and network status, music player information and the like. This status line is often complemented with dmenu, a textual application launcher from the same developers as dwm. dwm uses a focus-follows-mouse model and lacks any window decoration other than a border to show focus. Since dwm's configurability amounts to patching the source code, many other options are possible.[12]
dwm has been an influential project; many other window managers are based on dwm's source code or inspired by it. An extensive list of forks and patches can be found at the official site. Below is a list of a few notable examples: