Working with windows

Prof. Somarpita Dutta

 Modules in Windows 95
• GDI.EXE
– PRINTER.DRV
• KERNEL.EXE
• USER.EXE
– SOUND.DRV
– KEYBOARD.DRV
– MOUSE.DRV
– COMM.DRV
– SYSTEM.DRV
 DOS vs Windows
• Interface
• Single/multiuser
• Threading
• Single/multitasking
• File System
• Maximum partition size
• Support of networking
• Server administration
• User acceptance
• Presence
Working of a windows program

Functions to
handle graphics

Computer

Disk MS
functions DOS

Computer
memory
Windows message driven structure
Application to execute
in computer memory

Application in
running state
Instructions in the
form of messages Automatically
are placed by message passed to Application
windows in application performs as per
computer memory. message sent by
windows and
returns control
to windows

Windows
 Message format
• Windows handle or Windows ID
• Message ID
• Data Word
• Data Double Word
• Message Time
• Mouse position
 Resource data
• Accelerator
• Bitmap
• Cursor
• Dialog box
• Font
• Icon
• Menu
• Resources
• String table
 Compilation of Windows program
• Steps for compilation through DOS
• Additional info: .def files
• .obj files and .def files put together to create
incomplete .exe file
• Resource data compiled through resource
compiler
• Resource data file + incomplete .exe file=
complete .exe file
 Questions for practice
• Write about the different versions of Windows operating system.
• Write about the different modules present in Windows 95 along
with a suitable diagram.
• Compare Windows operating system with DOS operating system.
• Briefly describe the working of a Windows program along with a
suitable diagram.
• Write down about the message driven structure of Windows
operating system in detail.
• Show the communication between Windows and an application
along with a suitable function diagram. Write down the detailed
message format of Windows messages.
• Describe the different resource data in Windows program.
• Briefly describe the different steps in compilation of a Windows
program along with suitable diagrams.