On 13 Mar 2001, Jean-Marc Lasgouttes wrote:
> Asger> (Cygwin can not
> Asger> compile MFC, and probably never will since it's not API
> Asger> compatible).
>
> I thought that, for the wine project, Corel funded some gcc
> developments geared in particular at being able to compile MFC
> applications.
Maybe so, but judging from the discussions on the cygwin and djgpp
lists, there is not much hope for the immediate future.
Notice that there is a difference between being able to parse and
compile the MFC code - which is almost possible with the current
gcc - and being able to link with C++ code from Visual C++.
At this point in time, gcc is not a good candidate for MFC applications.
> BTW, what is the choice made for abiword under windows?
I don't know, actually. I'm downloading the source this minute to look.
Hang on... A quick look seems to show that it's native Win32.
I believe the best strategy for a Windows port is the same as the
strategy for resolving the GUI issue on Unix: Let the people that do
the work decide. And allow several options at the same time. It could
be that a Windows Qt port is so easy to maintain once the general
code is "Windows compatible", that it can be kept alive by one person,
and live next to a native Windows version, or a .NET version once that
is ready. Who knows?
For now, the GUII work continues, and it seems that the dialogs will
be GUIIized within a reasonable time frame. Then, I suppose the
focus will shift to the toolbar and menus, and then finally the
canvas. Once that has been tackled, I would think the source is
ready for a native Windows port to begin, just like Allan outlined
at one point: First, it's GUII, then it's system independence,
and then it's the world.
Unless someone takes up the challenge and starts on the system
independence now as their pet project, just like Allan started
on GUII work as a pet project. After all, it took several
iterations before the current, seemingly scalable, structure
was developed.
No, I'm not volunteering: I can't even compile the source anymore,
and build problems are simply too boring to solve!
Greets,
Asger
