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Old 07-09-2006, 06:47 PM   #1
Neubie
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Question about PCs and MACs


Windows XP and Apple OS X system run on the same type of hardware(Intel chip), why do programs written for one operating system generally not work on others?

Anyone know? Thanks!
 
Old 07-09-2006, 07:15 PM   #2
Mega Man X
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My guess is because both Operating Systems are very different, from the kernel to file systems and general architecture. Since the kernel is the part of the OS responsible for interacting with the hardware, it really does not matter much which type of hardware it is, but the OS (exception here, of course). With that said, that's why Linux programs does not run on Windows. Heck, even programs made for Windows 9x sometimes won't run well (if at all) under WinXP/2k, especially drivers and the like.

There are other reasons as well. For example, DirectX games. Since DirectX is available only for Windows, DirectX games will not run under MacOSX. The same goes to a wide range of applications that depends on a higher API to run, for example, GAIM won't run on MacOSX unless you have the GTK libraries installed.

Well... this reply is based on absolutely nothing, so I could be very off ^^
 
Old 07-09-2006, 08:05 PM   #3
Dragineez
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Registered: Oct 2005
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Why Can't...

2 Both of my cars have internal combustion engines. Why can't I run diesel in my gas car and why can't I run gas in my diesel car?

Sorry, sometimes I just can't help being a smart ass. Start your quest for knowledge here.

Last edited by Dragineez; 07-09-2006 at 08:09 PM.
 
  


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