Windows EnvironmentHistory of Windows:

Windows was announced by microsoft in november 1983 and was released in november 1985.

Advantage: Windows 1.0 contains updates to support drivers for video

display and printers

Windows 2.0 was released on november 1987.

Advantage: 1. Windows 2.0 introduce the concept of overlapping of window

rather than tiled in window 1.0.2. It has enhancement to keyboard and mouse interface.

Example of Overlapping window

Windows 3.0 was released on may 22 1990.

Advantages:

1. It support 16 bit operation of intel 286,386,486 microprocessor.2. This version of window gain a foothold in home and office.

Conflicts:

1. In september 1990 conflicts b/w IBM and Microsoft occurs. 2. IBM took over os/2 and microsoft the windows.

Windows 3.1 was released in April 1992.

Advantages: 1. It supports multimedia, Object linking and Embedding.

Windows NT released on july 1993.

Advantages:

1. It support 32 bit mode and pentium processors.2. It contain 32 bit address space and 32 bit instruction set.

Windows 95 was introduced in august 1995.

Advantage:1. It requires fewer hardware resources.

Disadvantages of Window NT :

1. Lack of security and portability. Windows 98 was released on june 1998.

Advantages:

1. Better hardware support.

2. Closer integration with internet and world wide web.

Aspects of windows: Windows 98 and NT are 32 bit preemptive multitasking. Windows uses graphical user interface.It is also called as “graphical windowing

environment” or “visual interface”. GUI make use of video display. Video display will be in the form of icons and from input devices such as

mouse,keyboard etc. (eg: pressing the button icon).

To facilitate the use of multiple program and exchange of information windows support multitasking.

MULTITASKING: Several programs can be displayed and running at the same time. The user can move the window around the screen,change their sizes. Transfer data from one program to another,switch switch b/w different

programs. Windows sometimes use a “DESKTOP METAPHOR” for the display of

multiple programs. Operating system cannot implement multitasking without

memory management. System must consolidate free memory space.

Program running in window can share routines that are located in other file called “Dynamic link library”(dll).

Programs in window cannot directly access hardware such as screen or printer.

Windows include graphics programming language called Graphical device interface(GDI).

GDI allow easy display of graphics and text.

Dynamic link library: Windows will have files with extension .dll

or .exe.They are located in \WINDOWS\SYSTEM. Windows contain a number of function call that

application can use such as “CreateWindow”. All window function are in header files.And we

should “import libraries”that dynamic link library name.

1. WWW.CS.Uregina.ca/Links/class-info/210/Lab1_VcIntro/Index.html

2. http://worldscibooks.com/etextbook/5776/5776 chap01.pdf.

3. www.tutorials.expert.com/tutorials/visual-c/Basic-concepts.

4. http://msdn.microsoft.com/hi-in/visuals/default.aspx.