Re: [ros-dev] Targeting multiple Windows versions

[Marc Piulachs]

Hi,

>  In my opinion, this is no problem as long as these new
> API's don't break
> compatibility with the NT 5.2 API's.
> For example, the Vista comctl32.dll introduced many new flags and I think
> we
> can also implement them as they don't break compatibility with NT 5.2's
> comctl32.dll (from what I read in MSDN). 
Ummm I partly disagree with that, IMHO we should not mix different versions
of the WinAPI even when they do not (apparently) conflict each other.  There
are practical reasons, any *well* written application designed for WinXP
(for example) is going to use Vista constants or flags. Should we allow this
application to work on Ros when it will fail on Windows? I think this will
make reactos LESS compatible with windows. Also, supporting some vista flags
or not supporting them is an arbitrary decision IMHO we should have a strict
rule about that or will end up having a FrankensWin :D

There are of course exceptions like the current storage stack you used as an
example but I think a decision has to be made between targeting a specific
windows version and update it time to time dropping older versions like NT4
(what we currently do) or target multiple versions at the same time.

I know it means more work but I see this as a strategic decision, in the
future reactos can benefit from massive demand of companies moving away from
old unsupported Oss like NT4 or Windows 2000 seeking a modern OS that will
run their unmodified NT4 applications or drivers.