Syntax & Grammar

Syntax & Grammar

Understanding the structure of a Nimbus application. Learn how XML maps to UI and Logic.

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App Structure

Every Nimbus application starts with a root <App> element. This element defines the main window properties and contains three main sections:

dashboard

<UI>

Defines the visual layout, controls, and appearance of your application.

psychology

<Logic>

Contains variables, event handlers, and application logic.

palette

<Styles>

Optional section for defining reusable styles and themes.

Basic Structure 
<App Name="My App" Width="800" Height="600" Theme="Dark">
    
    <!-- 1. User Interface -->
    <UI>
        <Grid>
            <!-- Controls go here -->
        </Grid>
    </UI>

    <!-- 2. Application Logic -->
    <Logic>
        <!-- Handlers go here -->
    </Logic>

    <!-- 3. Styles (Optional) -->
    <Styles>
        <!-- Custom styles go here -->
    </Styles>

</App>

UI Definition

Nimbus uses a declarative XML syntax for UI that maps directly to WPF controls. You don't need to know XAML namespaces or complex bindings.

Attributes

Attributes define properties like size, color, and events. Most attributes support simple values or binding expressions.

<Button 
    Name="btnSubmit"           <!-- Unique ID -->
    Content="Submit"           <!-- Text to display -->
    Width="120" Height="40"    <!-- Size -->
    Background="#0078D4"       <!-- Color (Hex) -->
    onClick="HandleSubmit"     <!-- Event Handler -->
/>

Hierarchy

Controls are nested to create layouts. Containers like Grid, StackPanel, and Border can hold other controls.

<Border Background="#333" CornerRadius="8" Padding="20">
    <StackPanel>
        <TextBlock Text="Title"/>
        <TextBox Placeholder="Enter name..."/>
    </StackPanel>
</Border>

Logic Definition

Logic is defined using declarative commands inside <Handler> blocks. Handlers are triggered by events (like onClick).

<Logic>
    <!-- Variable Declaration -->
    <Var Name="count" Value="0" Type="int"/>

    <!-- Event Handler -->
    <Handler Name="Increment">
        <Increment Var="count"/>
        <Set Target="lblDisplay" Property="Text" Value="{count}"/>
        
        <If Condition="{count} > 10">
            <Alert Message="Limit reached!"/>
            <Set Var="count" Value="0"/>
        </If>
    </Handler>
</Logic>

Variables & Binding

Nimbus supports dynamic data binding using the {variable} syntax.

info
Binding: When a variable changes, any UI property bound to it updates automatically.

State Variables

Access variables defined in the <Logic> section.

<TextBlock Text="Current count: {count}"/>

Control Properties

Access properties of other UI controls using {ControlName.Property}.

<!-- Copy text from TextBox to Label -->
<Set Target="lblOutput" Property="Text" Value="{txtInput.Text}"/>

Expressions

You can use simple expressions in Condition attributes for logic flow.

Operator Description Example
== Equals {status} == 'active'
!= Not Equals {count} != 0
> Greater Than {age} > 18
AND / && Logical AND {isValid} && {hasPaid}
OR / || Logical OR {isAdmin} || {isMod} 
<If Condition="{age} >= 18 AND {hasLicense} == 'true'">
    <Enable Control="btnDrive"/>
<Else>
    <Disable Control="btnDrive"/>
</If>