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From: harbour@vf.jsc.nasa.gov
Newsgroups: comp.os.minix
Subject: 286 protected mode allow large programs?
Message-ID: <1991Apr10.161635.1@vf.jsc.nasa.gov>
Date: 10 Apr 91 22:16:35 GMT
Sender: news@aio.jsc.nasa.gov (USENET News System)
Organization: NASA Johnson Space Flight Center
Lines: 20

I'm thinking of getting Minix (PC version) and am puzzled by something
I saw in the Minix Info posting (can't remember the real title).

The info posting said that PC Minix will run in protected mode on a 286
(and 386 - but I'm only concerned with 286).  I'm not sure I understand
all the benefits of this.  Protected mode allows access to memory above
1 Meg - I assume that this allows more programs to run simultaneously.

I would hope that the access to additional memory would also allow *bigger*
programs to run.  This would imply that there is some way to *create*
bigger programs, but I thought there was a 64K+64K limit in Minix (at
least with the included C compiler).

Is there some other C compiler, or patch to Minix 'cc', that gets around
the limit?  Or is 386 Minix the only way.  Also, is it possible to
compile a large program on 386 Minix and run it on a 286?

Please email replys - I'll summerize if there's enough interest.
-- 
Jeff   :   harbour@vf.jsc.nasa.gov   :   .sig void where prohibited by law