[ILUG] compsci challenges

[Paul Jakma]

On Wed, 15 Dec 2004, Rory Browne wrote:

> Mainly due to the fact that Linux doesn't use DLL's. It uses SO, or 
> Shared Object files. Very similar, but a different name.

AFAIK, both terms refer to the general concept of dynamic linkage of 
object files. They are hence the same thing - at least, DLL is not 
specific to windows, whether or not Windows chose to use DLL for the 
filename for shared libraries. A rose by any other name..

If you want to be pick differences between the platforms, then DLLs 
on Windows are implemented by means of the 'PE' executable file 
format (whatever that entails) on windows and, usually, ELF or else 
(possibly and the more rare) COFF/ECOFF on Unix[1].

So, AFAIK, DLL != Windows, unless you mistakingly restrict the 
general jargon of SO/DLL to "the Windows PE format". And note that 
there are PE object loaders implemented for Unix systems..

AFAIK, AIUI, TTBOMK, etc..[2].

1. No idea whether COFF supports dynamic linkage, I presume ECOFF 
would do as I'm almost sure OSF/1 supported shared libs, possibly not 
initially, but certainly by the time it was called DEC Unix 4.0d.

2. AFAIK mind you, based mostly on guesses and presumptions drawn 
from various wee pieces of knowledge i've stumbled across on lists 
and docs over years.

regards,
-- 
Paul Jakma	paul at clubi.ie	paul at jakma.org	Key ID: 64A2FF6A
Fortune:
The more we disagree, the more chance there is that at least one of us is right.