Mail Archives: djgpp/1997/05/15/21:02:21
On Fri, 9 May 1997, J. Ellis wrote:
> I just set up Allegro on my system, and now I have a question: Can I go
> ahead and delete the directory (and files) that I unzipped allegro into?
> The liballeg.a file was copied into my DJGPP dir, but does the lib
> recquire any files from the allegro dir (you can tell I'm a newbie;-)?
> Also, I'm starting to get sort of confused about this 32-bit stuff. I
> read that DJGPP produced great 32-bit executables, but it sucks with
> 16-bit exe's. I thought that DJGPP could ONLY produce 32-bit code!!
> Was I misinformed? Also, when everyone says that DJGPP's 32-bit exe's
> are great, does that mean just great in 32-bit OS's (unix, winNT, etc.)?
> Or are they also very fast under DOS with CWSDPMI?? The reason I ask is
> this: I own Turbo C++ v3.0, and unless DJGPP is quite a bit faster
Most people don't look past their pocketbook when considering DJGPP,
unless their name is Bill Gates since commercial compilers tend to be
e-x-p-e-n-s-i-v-e. Anyways 32 bit codes runs a lot better no matter what
OS you're running under. What slows a 32-bit application down in DOS is
if it needs to use a lot of 16-bit routines in the BIOS and DOS or within
TSRs loaded before your code got control. However when dealing with
graphics and whatnot (ie: using the Allegro library), much less is drawn
from BIOS and DOS, except to do file handling. The point, it's very fast
under 32-bit. In addition 32-bit code can take full advantage of the
recent linear buffer technology in newer video cards. Meaning no more
slow bankswitches to draw that 1280x1024 screen in 24-bit truecolor on a 4
megabyte video card. There are definite spped advantages to using 32-bit
regardless of the operating system used.
==============================================================================
Gau of the Veldt
"Draped in monster hides, eyes shining with intelligence.
A youth surviving against all odds..."
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