From:	"Mr. X" <fake AT spam DOT free DOT net>
Newsgroups:	comp.os.msdos.djgpp
Subject:	Re: Questions about 32-bit
Date:	Sat, 7 Feb 1998 01:15:39 -0800
Organization:	Skylink Networks, Inc. (http://www.skylink.net./)
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Message-ID:	<6bh8gb$nei$1@news.skylink.net>
References:	<6be2pa$m0i$1 AT herald DOT Mines DOT EDU>
NNTP-Posting-Host:	ppp058.max3.las-vegas.nv.skylink.net
To:	djgpp AT delorie DOT com
DJ-Gateway:	from newsgroup comp.os.msdos.djgpp

Jean-Luc Romano wrote:
>   Say, I have a few questions about DJGPP in general.  From what
>I've heard DJGPP is a 32 bit compiler for MS-DOS.  How can that be,
>if MS-DOS is a 16 bit operating system?


   Because it includes it's own memory manager that loads from DOS and exits
to DOS, but takes over from DOS and switches the CPU into 32 bit mode and
back when you're done.  All automatically.


>   Also, I've seen the use of small, medium, large, and huge memory
>models as well as the mention of near and far pointers in game
>tutorials for Borland and MicroSoft C/C++ compilers.  However, I've
>never seen any mention of them in any DJGPP/Allegro tutorial.
>   Why is that?

   They are older programming models that exists because of the need for
backwards compatibility on the Intel x86 type CPUs.  They are outdated in a
32 bit environment.  Thankfully a modern compiler can enter a flat 32 bit
mode (and DJGPP even does VM for you!) so you can forget all that nonsense
and concentrate on your problem instead of Intel's and M$'s problems.  :)

>Does this have anything to do with the fact that DJGPP is a 32-bit
>compiler?

   Yes, a DOS port of a 32 bit unix based compiler.  Get it, it not only
better than the others, it's free too!

X

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