On Dec 11, 1996 at 09:27, Bob Lawrence of 3:711/934.12 wrote:

 DB>> For multiple operating systems on the same hardware platform,
 DB>> the "machine code" (more or less) *is* the same - what changes
 DB>> is calling patterns (how parameters are passed between
 DB>> functions), file formats (of the executables and libraries),
 DB>> and of course the links to the libraries themselves. 
 BL>
 BL> I'm surprised that they haven't standardised even that.

Well, they have - sort of (but like anything, there are just so many
standards from which to choose...):

* calling conventions - "Pascal" or "C" (there's
sometimes "FORTRAN" thrown
  in for good measure, but I think it's the same as "Pascal");  differences
  are whether or not case is preserved in symbols, the order things are
  pushed on the stack, call-by-reference or call-by-value, &c.

* file formats - "ELF" (Extensible Link Format or something) is
becoming the
  de facto standard on UNIX (and some other) platforms, taking over where
  things like "COFF" left off (ahem).

...and so forth.

 BL> In my experience, the most important thing is to think, originally.
 BL> That's where the money is, and it's more fun anyway.

You trying to give Paul ideas again??

    - dave
    d.begley{at}ieee.org

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