Newsgroups: comp.windows.ms.programmer
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!uupsi!cci632!srw
From: srw@cci632.cci.com (Steve Windsor)
Subject: Re: DOS to Windows
Message-ID: <1991Apr22.145250.18945@cci632.cci.com>
Keywords: soliciting advice and references
Reply-To: srw@op632.UUCP (Steve Windsor)
Organization: CCI, Communications Systems Division, Rochester, NY
References: <13728@alfred.Teknowledge.COM>
Date: Mon, 22 Apr 1991 14:52:50 GMT

In article <13728@alfred.Teknowledge.COM> ssriniva@Teknowledge.COM (Shankar Srinivasan) writes:
>Anybody have any references to books or articles that address the
>issues and steps involved in moving DOS applications to Windows? 
>
Well...............

 There are just too many steps.  You are NOT simply porting C code to
 windows.  You must make some conceptual leaps (that is, if you have
 not used a GUI before).

 The best way to think of it, is that you will most likely have to rewrite
 50-100% of the code, particulary if it deals with a graphics interface
 or memory allocation.

>I've looked at all the regular references (Petzold, SDK manuals) and 
>don't see anything that specifically addresses this issue. I suppose
>one could infer a set of things to do based on the material there, but
>being new to the wonderful world of MS Windows, I'm just afraid that I 
>may neglect something important.

 Your fears are well founded.  Welcome to Windows.  Let me give you a hint:
 you don't even use the MSC library anymore!

>I'm most concerned about memory (of course), since the application we're
>working with is large (in size and mem model). Can any 
>net.windows.experts give me references or maybe a list of things to do,
>do's and don't, gotchas, recommendations? Any info is appreciated.

Yes./

1)  Don't use large model, use medium.

2)  Take (TAKE IT) Microsoft University's windows classes.  Take the
    first one, Windows Programming Environment.  This is an excellent
    class and will give you a LOT more background into what and how to
    do things.

3)  The list is simply too large.  Only a neural network would work 8-).
    If this is a project that your boss or company has you on and
    they think it is a simple matter to port the application, let me
    tell you here and now that IT IS NOT!!!  So, be forewarned.

I'm not trying at all to scare you away from Windows, it can be a 
*wonderful* package, but in the hands of the uninformed, it will
be your worst nightmare.  Take the class.  It will be the best
$1500 your company ever spent.  

cheers,

stephen windsor    srw@op632.cci.com