Drag-and-drop ( Drag N Drop ) – Fun For Your Shopping Cart
Drag-and-drop or simple called drag n drop is a computer graphical user interface action that allows one to click on a virtual object and drag it to a separate location. Drag n drop is used to bring various actions into play as well as in the creation of diverse associations between abstract objects. Not all software is compatible with the drag n drop feature even though the technique is fast and easy to learn and it also helps users to perform tasks easily. Drag n drop feature makes it easier and faster for users to move objects from one location to a preferred location on the computer.
The drag n drop process involves first pressing and holding down the mouse button ( left or right button ) so as to grab the object after which the object is dragged to the preferred location. The mouse button is then released so as to drop the object in the desired location to complete the drag and drop process. Among the actions that can be performed on the computer using the drag n drop feature include the dragging of a data file to a program icon or any other special window in order to view or process the data file.
Drag n drop can also be used when a user wants to move (holding down the right mouse button ) or copy (holding down the left mouse button) files to a different location, folder or directory as well as when the user wants to add objects to a list of objects ready for processing. The drag n drop feature is also important when a user needs to rearrange widgets in a graphical user interface so as to modify the layout. Apart from that, the drag n drop feature is also used to drag a command to an object such as when changing an object’s color. A user can change a graphical object’s color by simply dragging the preferred color to that object.
Drag n drop also helps in the application of a tool at a certain location as well as the creation of a hyperlink from one location to the other. Text editors also benefit from the drag n drop feature since it enables them to drag selected text from one location to the other. Conversely the drag n drop feature compels the user to put in more physical effort as one has to hold on to the mouse button while dragging the feature. Additionally, drag n drop also slows down the user’s movement as one is likely to move slower while dragging the object. Drag n drop also strains the hand moving the mouse especially in graphic design while it may also cause imprecise movement.
Besides, drag n drop can also cause inconveniencies especially when one button is used for both selecting and dragging items. The drag and drop feature may drag objects even when the user intends to make a selection. In some Operating Systems drag n drop is inconvenient when the intended location is hidden under other objects. This means the user has to stop the drag n drop process to make the location visible. However, drag n drop generally makes the user’s work easier and faster.
November 25, 2009


