Re: Ada interface to Windows 3.0

[yow@riddler.Berkeley.EDU (Billy Yow 283-4051)]

>Can anyone tell me if there exists an Ada interface to Windows 3.0?  How
>can I get a copy?

Before you can have a binding to Windows 3.0 you need an Ada compiler
that supports Windows' code developement.  

So far I know of no Ada compiler that supports Windows. (But there are
C, C++, Pascal, Modula-2 and other languages that support Windows.  I
guess Ada vendors are not interested in the Windows market.  :-( )

Support for Windows requires the following:

1 Uses the small memory model, which is the preferred memory model for
Windows.  
2 Supports the DMPI standard for memory managment.
3 Will generate C interface calls using the Pascal style of parameter
passing.      This is so you can have ... CALL BACKS ...
4 Generates the correct prolog and epilogue code for windows.
5 A debugger that works with Codeview or inside of windows.
6 A Resource Compiler
7 Tools to development Icons, Bitmaps, Fonts and the other stuff used by
Windows.

When an Ada compiler supports 2, 3 and 4 then an interface to Windows
3.0 can be written.  

You can use the large memory model in Windows but there are problems
with using the large memory model.  

I guess not having a debugger would be okay but I would not want to
build a very large program. :-(  

A resource compiler converts a normal EXE file into a Windows EXE file
and adds the Icons, Bitmaps and other Windows' stuff to the EXE file.  

Six and Seven are both in the SDK, but the Borland C++ and Pascal
compilers don't require the SDK or any other tools from Microsoft. Also
the C++ compiler is $325 and the Pascal compiler is $200.  Good luck
ever seeing an Ada compiler that supports Windows and provides all of
the tools required for that price.

					Bill Yow
					yow@sweetpea.jsc.nasa.gov