Is it ok to call a set of UI elements a control...
Yes, for sure.
Or maybe a control is always an atomic UI element...
Yes, also.
To be serious I saw both and which definition is better is an opinionated topic.
Given that this is an opinion/option then: for an UI developer you will probably hear 2nd definition and she will maybe call first one CompositeControl
, UserControl
, Component
or whatever her favorite UI framework named a composition of basic controls.
However from designer point of view you will probably call control the logic element to perform an action (or to display some information). Implementation details are not important. It's important to pick one definition and stick with it to do not confuse who will read your documents, don't forget to include this definition in your glossary.
Few examples:
- Precision control is composed with two basic controls: two buttons and one label.
- Precision control building blocks are two buttons and label.
- Precision control component is made by three controls: two buttons and one label.
All these said...Call them all with same name. Control. Seriously, it doesn't matter and context clarifies the meaning. As I said logic function is the key and you freely speak about spin control and button control even if spin is made using two buttons. You will be more verbose when required (see previous example) and it will be clear. Too complex, or far from real world, definitions will not be adopted - especially in spoken language - and this will cause misunderstandings (exactly what you try to avoid). For example according to ISO 9241-16:1999 a control is defined as:
graphic, often analogous to physical controls such as dials, radio buttons, which allows a user to directly manipulate data, other objects or their attributes
Note that it's a vague definition and their definition for scroll bar (composed by multiple primitive controls) is (emphasis is mine):
control that allows a user to view objects that extend beyond the size of a displayed related window or list by moving the objects into or out of the available display area; the scroll bar also indicates whether additional information is available