Printable View
HI,
I heard that Windows 8 on ARM will not support x86 applications which are based Win32 architecture. I am really concerned about this as I work for a small company and we have lot of software which we almost need to rewrite just because of that. I want to know that is there any way to export the code from existing Win32 architecture to WinRT (Windows on ARM) architecture?
Regards,
ABM
read up a bit, I'm sure;
That is ONLY ARM. (tablet based windows). windows x86 / x64 will still exist and will be called ..windows 8. Then there is windows mobile and windows ARM (arm cpu's, ie. tablets).
The way it sounds, you'll just have to recompile your program for ARM. Of course, some changes will be required, but assuming they have the same API and framework for Windows 8 ARM, a complete rewrite won't be necessary. That's the whole point of C++ being portable.Quote:
Originally Posted by ABM
But I could be wrong. I just can't imagine that the two different version of the OS would have no compatibility just because of the processor architecture.
Thanks for your reply. Windows 8 on ARM will be a desktop computer too. they are based on WinRT architecture which will have Metro App Style. I downloaded the Visual Studio 2011 developer Preview and tried to create a sample application in ARM platform and compiler give me an error message that MFC is not supported in ARM Environment. I am concerned that we use MFC for our GUI and it is not supported on Windows Desktop PC on ARM that will be lot of rewriting of code. For a small company like mine will be lot of overhead. I am still searching and want to know the answer that will there be a way to export Win32 applications to WinRT (ARM)?
Please help.
Regards,
ABM
I see, you're using MFC. In that case, I don't think it will be that easy. Microsoft has been downplaying MFC for the past 5 or 6 years now, pushing everybody towards .NET. To be honest, Microsoft probably hasn't ported MFC, in which case you might have to rewrite your program. :/ I know how you feel though. I'm a fan of MFC and we have both of our major application developed for MFC, but unfortunately, Microsoft doesn't really like it anymore. :/Quote:
Originally Posted by ABM
I agree with you that Microsoft doesn't like MFC no more. But i don't know why Microsoft is still providing support MFC. Why they are making changes in MFC? They added lot of new features in MFC over the years too. I think Microsoft lack planning to tell other developers what to expect in the near future and how to be prepare for it. For a small company like mine, we are always shorthanded to maintain our existing software's. Now with this we probably have to rewrite our GUI logic in some other language.
Regards,
ABM
it's not true that microsoft has been ignoring MFC. New stuff is still happening, although you have to realise it is an aging framework and many of it's concepts are specific to regular Windows SDK applications.
Metro apps are not going to be based on the regular SDK, but on the new Windows RT Api. Both the classic/legacy desktop apps and metro apps will be able to run side by side. The concept of "windows" and "dialogs" and messages is not really there anymore in WinRT/Metro. So it's doubtfull you'll be able to make metro apps using MFC which is heavily based upon the windows and messaging system.
Long story short... if you need to have your app be a Metro app, you'll have to rewrite the entire UI, you may or may not be able to "easily" convert your application logic into the new UI.
If you want to have yoru app run in Windows 8: no problem. regular apps and MFC will continue to function on windows 8. although not integrated into the metro UI.
Note.
Even if converting was possible. Metro apps are supposed to work with touch interface/gestures (and mouse). Concepts like menu's, toolbars, rightclicking,... don't really "fit" into the metro paradigm.
Thanks for the answer OReuben. My worry is not making my app a Metro App. All I want my app to run Windows Desktop/Laptop which will be on ARM processor. What I have heard up to now, Windows are going to run on ARM is not going to support MFC. Am I missing something? Please help.
It seems like you're correct ABM. According to this http://www.techradar.com/news/softwa...y-apps-1062187 only Metro applications will be compatible for the ARM version.
Sorry to bump an old topic but...
ABM, I'm concerned about the same thing. How are you planning to deal with this? If you want to make a "typical" GUI and not a metro-style app, does anyone know what will definitely be supported on windows 8 for ARM? What will be the best/easiest route to have (a measure of) cross compatibility with x86?
Sorry if the question is unclear, I'm really not familiar with the new windows platform.
Before getting concerned about this kind of things I'd ask myself whether my app's ready to hit tablets world. As I'm not aware of any (Windows oriented) ARM-based desktop system at present, or any plans for the nearest future. That's pretty obvious that tablets require a really different user experience, so GUI design as well as architecture design approaches need to be revised firs of all resulting in a sufficient impact on existing app(s).Quote:
ABM, I'm concerned about the same thing.
Java? :)Quote:
What will be the best/easiest route to have (a measure of) cross compatibility with x86?