oesterle@wpi.wpi.edu (Shawn H. Oesterle) (03/24/90)
Does anyone know if the Microsoft C DLL will be distributed in upcoming versions of OS/2? (It may be distributed in OS/2 1.2, since I don't have that version). I think it would be beneficial, since having the C DLL (or any other language for that matter) would save on disk space, memory, and faster linking (if the function is already present in memory). I also think the DLL concept should be exploited; it is sort of a waste the have a great idea like DLLs be only be applicable to developers with C DLLs on their system. When they distribute the program, the entire program has to be stuffed inside the EXE file instead much of it being in the DLL. (I think its neat to be able to make a program on my system that has a size of 2535 bytes and the equilvant program on a UNIX system that has a size of 39513 bytes....) (BTW, I'm not a developer, I'm just a OS/2 fanatic-student) -- (this space awaiting for Shawn Oesterle something meaningful to say) oester@wpi.wpi.edu
alistair@microsoft.UUCP (Alistair BANKS) (03/27/90)
It should be noted that the .DLL C runtime example in the Microsoft C 5.1 product and the up-coming C6 are just that, "examples". These .DLL runtimes can be put together by any ISV, and can be put together in many different forms. At the moment, Microsoft does not recommend any standard form of a C runtime .DLL - and certainely does not recommend the example in C 5.1 as being the best way of doing things. If we included the C runtime in the system, the C/Unix library would inherantly be a supported set of OS/2 interfaces, in addition to the OS/2 interfaces. That is not the case at present. POSIX certification, and therefore implicit inclusion of those specified interfaces is a direction for us - beyond OS/2 2.0 (I will give no more specific timing.) For the time being - we are encouraging ISVs to use Microsoft's C products, but encouraging 3rd party competition in this area as well. We advise ISVs to create runtime .DLLs to suite their needs. I hope this clears things up. Alistair Banks OS/2 Group Microsoft