Mail Archives: djgpp/2000/12/20/04:05:14
On Tue, 19 Dec 2000, dragonsong wrote:
> now I'm wondering if DJGPP's working around Windows
DJGPP doesn't work around Windows--it is not possible (although at
times I wish it would). Everything a DJGPP program does on Windows
goes through legitimate Windows code: functions of Int 31h go through
the Windows' own built-in DPMI server, which is used by the Windows
kernel as well; file I/O goes through Windows' protected-mode Int 21h
dispatch code, where file-oriented Win32 API calls wind up as well;
etc.
> has other advantages - such as access to ring 0, maybe...?
That, too, is a feature that Windows programs can have: many VxDs use
that feature to run at Ring 0.
> Or is it
> just the benefit of being able to run 32-bit code in a native DOS (16-bit)
> environment? And having access to a free gcc for an MS OS...
I think that, for users, the single most important benefit is the
ability to have access to sources of all the development tools, from
the ground up, including the standard C library, and the ability to
discuss that freely on a public forum, combined with the level of user
support that MS software users can only dream about (even after they
shell out significant amounts of money to buy such a support).
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