Cannot raise windows from Java (toFront) - meta_window_same_application improvement

[Derrick Rice]

Binary package hint: metacity

metacity 2.22.0 and others (package metacity 2.22.0-0ubuntu4)
Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron and others

Gnome bug report: http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=567528
Java bug report: http://bugs.sun.com/view_bug.do?bug_id=6472274

Java windows cannot be brought to the front of the screen because they are not identified as belonging to the same application by Metacity. Specifically, they do not have the same group. However, they do have the same leader. By expanding the behavior of meta_window_same_application, Java windows can be raised as expected.

Yes, this is a bug filed against Java, but it is not likely going to be fixed because:
 * It works for other window managers, including compiz, which have more advanced criteria for allowing windows to be raised.
 * The Java spec says that it "should" move windows to the top, but doesn't have to.

There is a simple patch supplied in the linked Gnome bug report (it doesn't work directly for 2.22, but the logic of the change can be used). This patch has not received attention from the Gnome team but is very small and relatively harmless. This should be included in the Ubuntu Metacity package until Gnome takes the change.

I don't see any harm in this change, but I also don't have a very intimate understanding of what meta_window_same_application is used for besides window raise behavior.

[Derrick Rice (derrick-rice)]

Patch from the Gnome bug adjusted for the 2.22 Metacity version.