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Reference.org
Dialog box
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Computing/Kghtm9fX">computing</a>, a dialog box (also simply dialog) is a <a href="/facts/Graphical_control_element/SuVeScB2">graphical control element</a> in the form of a small window that communicates information to the user and prompts them for a response. </p><p>Dialog boxes are classified as "<a href="/facts/Modal_window/5rLMlDJS">modal</a>" or "modeless", depending on whether they block interaction with the <a href="/facts/Software/RP79lVSW">software</a> that initiated the dialog. The type of dialog box displayed is dependent upon the desired <a href="/facts/User_interaction/EkmIxGCx">user interaction</a>. </p><p>The simplest type of dialog box is the <a href="/facts/Alert_dialog_box/QFuJQ1E9">alert</a>, which displays a message and may require an acknowledgment that the message has been read, usually by clicking "OK", or a decision as to whether or not an action should proceed, by clicking "OK" or "Cancel". Alerts are also used to display a "termination notice"—sometimes requesting confirmation that the notice has been read—in the event of either an intentional closing or unintentional closing ("<a href="/facts/Crash_(computing)/I8yn65yt">crash</a>") of an <a href="/facts/Application_(computing)/YQuj7Kog">application</a> or the <a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">operating system</a>. (E.g., "<a href="/facts/Gedit/Eroyyson">Gedit</a> has encountered an error and must close.") Although this is a frequent <a href="/facts/Interaction_design_pattern/YPFY8SzN">interaction pattern</a> for modal dialogs, it is also criticized by <a href="/facts/Usability/zuAnqu9Q">usability</a> experts as being ineffective for its intended use, which is to protect against errors caused by destructive actions, and for which better alternatives exist. </p><p>An example of a dialog box is the about box found in many software programs, which usually displays the name of the program, its version number, and may also include <a href="/facts/Copyright/7GHEWEx9">copyright</a> information. </p>