HEPiX X11 Scripts - Introduction

Here is a brief introduction to the %hx.


The %hx are part of the Common HEP UNIX Environment project of HEPiX.

The goals are to provide an X environment that is

These scripts are normally started by xdm. They may work with other display managers.

They provide a flexible X session that can use one of the available "desktops", the default one being the "HEPiX desktop".

A "desktop" is a working environment like the one provided by COSE Common Desktop Environment (CDE). The HEPiX desktop satisfies the goals above while being affordable in terms of computer resources (CPU, memory...).


Here is a global picture of the HEPiX X session and the HEPiX desktop:

The X session starts with few mandatory, preliminary tasks (like checking /etc/nologin) and then handles separate branches like the failsafe session.

Once this is done, it can gather the information from various sources (including user preferences) and then check its consistency.

The next step is to examine %HX_DESKTOP and to execute the appropriate desktop (e.g. CDE) or stay with the HEPiX desktop.

The HEPiX desktop handles some high-level settings (called major switches) like %HX_WM that is the window manager that will be used. It executes the user's .xsession if found in the home directory.

For more information on the different steps taken, please consult the anatomy page.


Lionel Cons, 25-Feb-1998