Here's my idea about loadable IDE layouts:
1) When the IDE starts, it looks for a user layout, then for a default
layout, and if one is found, restores that screen layout. Otherwise no
additional windows are shown, so far.
2) When a project is opened, the IDE looks for a project specific layout
to restore, otherwise like (1).
3) The user can open and close, arrange and dock forms as desired, and
store the layout on disk.
4) The user can reload a stored layout at any time.
Now about possible options. I'd like to have different layouts for Edit,
Form design, Run/Debug. Others may want different layouts for screen
sizes. That's all feasable, but before you start voting and adding
features, you should consider:
A) Every layout is stored in an file. How can the IDE find the most
appropriate layout file?
B) With multiple editor windows, the layout includes the files, open in
an editor window. How to deal with the currently open files, when a
different layout is restored?
Unless you can answer these questions, your wishes can not be taken into
account.
If you want to have an preview, look at examples/dockmanager/mini_ide2.
It's not perfect, but it allows to create windows, dock them together or
to the main window, and the layouts can be stored and reloaded from disk.
DoDi
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