KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q48023: Developing Common Code for Both Windows and Macintosh

Article: Q48023
Product(s): Microsoft Windows Software Development Kit
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.1
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kb16bitonly
Last Modified: 12-NOV-1999

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

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

SUMMARY
=======

We are not aware of any kind of Windows-to-Macintosh interpreter or translator
that will allow you to directly run Windows code on the Macintosh, but there are
some alternatives:

1. The January 1989 issue of the "Microsoft Systems Journal" contains two
  relevant articles titled "Developing Applications with Common Source Code for
  Multiple Environments" and "Porting Apple Macintosh Applications to the
  Microsoft Windows Environment."

2. The "Windows Developer Guidebook" [available by calling (800) 426-9600]
  contains a listing for a product that helps you develop code in an
  environment-independent way. The product is called XVT (Extensible Virtual
  Toolkit) for Microsoft Windows, Presentation Manager, and Macintosh. XVT is
  made by the following company:

  GSS (Graphical Software Systems)
  9590 SW Gemini Drive
  Beaverton, OR 97005
  (503) 643-8642

  According to GSS, "XVT allows developers to create and maintain one set of
  source code and port it to Windows, PM, and Macintosh environments."


3. A third-party product called CommonView contains Glockenspiel C++ object
  libraries to simplify creation of applications for Windows and OS/2
  Presentation Manager (PM) using the same core source code. Contact the
  company to find out more about porting to the Macintosh.

  CommonView is a set of class libraries for creating Microsoft Windows and PM
  applications. They come with the C++ compiler, which is an object-oriented
  version of C. They are actually translators that translate C++ code into C
  code, which you can then run through your C compiler. You can write an
  application using CommonView, and it will isolate you from the particular
  Windows environment. The product is distributed by Imagesoft, (800) 245-8840
  or (516) 767-2233.

XVT and CommonView are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make
no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or
reliability.

Additional query words: 3.00 no32bit 3.10

======================================================================
Keywords          : kb16bitonly 
Technology        : kbAudDeveloper kbWin3xSearch kbSDKSearch kbWinSDKSearch kbWinSDK300 kbWinSDK310
Version           : WINDOWS:3.0,3.1

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

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.