Rendering in the GDC

The Genero Desktop Client (GDC) supports Native Rendering and Universal Rendering.

Native Rendering

When an application displays in Native Rendering mode, the look-and-feel of the application is based on the graphical User Interface API and widgets of the platform or framework used to implement the front-end. Native Rendering mode presents the application with an expected look-and-feel based on the operating system, however this results in the same application having a different look-and-feel across different devices.

Figure 1 shows the OrderReport demo application displayed using Native Rendering on a Microsoft® Windows® desktop.
Figure: Native Rendering mode

Screenshot of demo Orders app displayed using Native Rendering mode.

Universal Rendering

When an application displays in Universal Rendering mode, the rendering solution is based on the Genero Browser Client front-end using web technologies. Universal Rendering allows for an application to have the same look-and-feel across different front-end clients.

Figure 2 shows the OrderReport demo application displayed using Universal Rendering:
Figure: Universal Rendering mode

Screenshot of demo Orders app displayed using Universal Rendering mode.
Note: The GBC used for Universal Rendering is transmitted by the runtime system to the GDC. You can influence which GBC is transmitted by the runtime system by defining the GBC to be used in direct mode. The rules identifying which GBC the runtime system selects are covered in the Graphical mode with Universal Rendering topic in the Genero Business Development Language User Guide.

Which rendering is used?

By default, the Genero Desktop Client uses Native Rendering. You can configure the default to be Universal Rendering on the Options Preferences tab of the GDC monitor. See Preferences configuration options.

If the rendering mode is set by the application, however, that rendering is used. For details on configuring the rendering mode for an application, see the Genero Business Development Language User Guide.
Tip: A rendering mode set by the application will always win. If you set the GDC to use Universal Rendering mode, and it still appears using Native Rendering mode, examine the application configuration.