Date: 6 Feb 92 10:56:00 EST
From: "OAK::SORROW" <SORROW%OAK DOT decnet AT pine DOT circa DOT ufl DOT edu>
Subject: Re: Why add features to DJGPP?
To: "djgpp" <djgpp AT sun DOT soe DOT clarkson DOT edu>
Status: O


Well, I can see why someone would want DJGPP to do many "operating
systems" type things, such as pipes/signals/threads/multitasking, and
yes, this is best left up to the operating system.  But remember that
C was designed for UNIX, and thus many UNIX compatible calls that are
taken for granted as being 'C' ( spawn(P_NOWAIT) for example ) are
not portable for DOS.

I think DJ is just trying to make DOS do things that UNIX can, without
necessitating the end user to actually purchase UNIX.  If that was the
case, there wouldn't be a NEED for DJGPP.  DOS is cheap, reliable, and
pretty fast, and most importantly, it is OUT THERE.  If you are
a commercial developer ( which I hope to be ) then a market needs to exist
for you to target.  UNIX just isn't lucrative.  If I were a researcher
or what not, than an operating system choice wouldn't matter as much.

If DJ can make DJGPP "kludge" UNIX calls and port it to DOS, I think that
is great.  Saves more hassle for people porting across platforms, without
them having to actually purchase UNIX.  That was the original intent for
DJGPP, right Delorie?

Brian