Re: [ros-dev] compatibility vs. correctness

[Stefan Ginsberg]

I totally agree with this.
  If we reimplement the Win32 API, we have to replicate the exact behaviour that code
expects -- not make up our own 'perfected Win32' clone. We don't define the
Win32 API, we reimplement it. If our primary goal is application compatibility, then
correctness _IS_ compatibility.
  You think that sucks? You want to improve the API? Hey, go implement some similar but
'perfected' API then -- but don't call it Win32. Win32 has never been like
that.

>   From: aleksey(a)reactos.org
>  Date: Sun, 7 Dec 2008 23:17:23 +0300
>  To: ros-dev(a)reactos.org
>  Subject: Re: [ros-dev] compatibility vs. correctness
>  
>  In fact, this is what Wine's regression tests are for too. They test  
>  not only correct, but also incorrect and tricky situations, where  
>  behavior is undocumented.
>  
>  Certainly, I strictly disagree with offers like "let's enhance  
>  ReactOS API and add a few ROS-specific functions", "let's hack XXX  
>  WinAPI to do better parameters check", and similar things. Especially  
>  if there is a real-life testcase (like app you mentioned).
>  
>  This all comes from the idea, that Microsoft(R) itself is not a  
>  stupid company, and if it is an indeed serious fault, it's fixed in a  
>  recent version of their operating system, thus enabling us to fix it  
>  also. If it's not, then we have to mimic it, otherwise forget about  
>  compatibility.
>  
>  
>  WBR,
>  Aleksey.
>  
>  On Dec 7, 2008, at 9:07 PM, Ged wrote:
>  
> >   Zachary Gorden wrote:
> >
> > >   Just because Windows was tolerant of this
> > > specific sloppiness  
> > >  doesn't mean 
> >  we should be.
> >
> >  I completely disagree.
> >  We need to replicate the Windows API as closely as possible, warts  
> >  and all.
> >  This is what compatibility is all about
> >
> >  Ged. 
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