Difference between revisions of "Win8 Dictionary"

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== WinRT ==
 
== WinRT ==
WinRT also called Windows Runtime, is the set of API to develop "Modern" applications.
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WinRT also called Windows Runtime, is the set of APIs to develop "Modern" applications.
 +
 
 +
All those are essentially a COM-based set of APIs, but not really a Runtime.
  
 
'''NB:''' Not to be confused with Windows RT.
 
'''NB:''' Not to be confused with Windows RT.

Revision as of 18:34, 8 January 2013

This is an attempt to reduce confusion about the new terms introduced with the release of Windows 8 in various modes, for various architectures and various restrictions.

Win32

The evolving set of APIs and runtime available since Windows 3.11 and still changing these days.

Windows NT 64bits is almost compatible with Win32 and Windows CE was partly compatible with Win32 APIs.

On 64bits, Windows NT uses the LLP64 model for pointers! Be careful if you are a Unix developer.

Windows 8

The version of Windows NT named 6.2 released at the end of 2012.

It has a small kernel evolution from Windows 7, but the big addition of the Metro mode.

It runs on x86 and x86(64bits) hardware.

WinRT

WinRT also called Windows Runtime, is the set of APIs to develop "Modern" applications.

All those are essentially a COM-based set of APIs, but not really a Runtime.

NB: Not to be confused with Windows RT.

Windows RT

This is the port of Windows 8 on various ARM platforms.

A contrario from what people say, Windows RT has both a "Metro" and a "Desktop" mode.

Windows RT has Win32 APIs too.

NB: Windows RT is not technically a RunTime.

NB: Not to be confused with WinRT.

Windows on ARM

Synonym for Windows RT.

Blue

Windows 8+1.

Will be released in Summer 2013.

WP7 / WP 7.5

WP7

WP8

The version of Windows 8 that runs on phones (short for Windows Phone 8)

Metro (Screen)

Metro (language)

Desktop

The Windows interface as we know it since Windows 3.11 until Windows 7.