Q10834: INFO: GDI Simulation Routines and Device Drivers for Windows

Article: Q10834
Product(s): Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.1
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kb16bitonly kbOSWin310 kbOSWin300 kbSDKWin16
Last Modified: 06-NOV-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit (SDK) versions 3.0, 3.1 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

The following information concerns GDI's simulation routines for device
drivers:

GDI discards its simulation routines when more intelligent drivers provide the
required information. GDI is demand-loadable and discardable. When a smart
driver registers its capabilities with GDI, GDI dumps the simulation routines
that it uses for less intelligent display drivers. For example, when writing a
driver that can handle all the OUTPUT functions, GDI will avoid loading all the
simulation routines.

In addition, GDI's simulation routines are optimized. However, it is usually the
case that device drivers can complete output functions a lot faster because no
GDI object or memory must be allocated during the operations, and device drivers
can deal directly with the hardware device.

Additional query words: 3.00 3.10

======================================================================
Keywords          : kb16bitonly kbOSWin310 kbOSWin300 kbSDKWin16 
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbWin3xSearch kbSDKSearch kbWinSDKSearch kbWinSDK300 kbWinSDK310
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.1
Issue type        : kbinfo

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1986-2002.