🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1838@cod.NOSC.MIL> bmarsh@cod.nosc.mil.UUCP (William C. Marsh) writes:
>In article <1990Mar25.014347.25497@caen.engin.umich.edu> chrisl@caen.engin.umich.edu (Chris Lang) writes:
>>In article <28236@cup.portal.com> Will@cup.portal.com (Will E Estes) writes:
>>>< Is there any way to do graphics in OS/2 without spending the time to
>>>< learn the PM programmers interface?
>>>
>>>It's amazing to me that this is the first time I've seen this question
>>>asked.  Somehow we have been convinced into thinking that OS/2 application
>>>means PM application... 
>>
>>With every new release of OS/2, it becomes more and more
>>obvious that the intention is to encourage PM rather than full-screen
>>applications.  I can't think of many reasons not to use PM, especially
>>for graphics-oriented applications.
>
>How about speed?  Ever try to write animation programs through an API which
>can switch tasks almost at will?  Or a program that doesn't use the normal
>event/processing/drawing/'wait for next event' loop?

It's entirely possible to write compliant animation programs in a pre-emptive
multitasking environment; whether or not its possible under PM or not is another
story, but don't assume just because it can't be done on IBMs it can't be done.

>One problem with every windowing/graphics system I have ever programmed for
>(Windows, PM, Sunview, Mac) is that if you try to do something slightly
>different from the windowing 'model' in use is like pulling teeth.  It reminds
>me of the Murphy's law, "If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like
>a nail..."

Very true.  But I don't see it as being as bad under PM as under, say, the
Mac.  (I am fairly ignorant of programming the Mac, but I have been given the
impression that there is a right way to do things, Apple's, and a wrong way,
and never the twain shall meet.)  

>
>There are VIO calls to put the screen into graphics mode, and also a call
>to return the screen segment selector.  If you are programming in the EGA/VGA
>16 color modes, then you will also require IOPL to be YES (since we need
>access to the bit mask register, etc.).  But I would say there is documented
>support for graphics calls under OS/2 without PM!

I confess...I didn't type at all what I wanted to say.  I know you can do
full-screen graphics under OS/2; what I MEANT to say is that there's no
equivalent of the GPI for non-PM applications.  I apologize for the confusion
that caused.  (Trying desperately to head off a dozen postings and twice as
many letters telling me I'm wrong...I know I know I know! :-)

>Bill Marsh, Naval Ocean Systems Center, San Diego, CA
>{arpa,mil}net: bmarsh@cod.nosc.mil
>uucp: {ihnp4,akgua,decvax,dcdwest,ucbvax}!sdcsvax!nosc!bmarsh
>"If everything seems to be coming your way, you're probably in the wrong lane."

 -Chris
--
Chris Lang, University of Michigan, College of Engineering    +1 313 763 1832
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