On 26 Feb 1998 14:36:27 -0000, [log in to unmask] (Adrian Midgley)
wrote:
>Does BOS use any of the instruction set of the 386 (486---Pentium)
>chip yet?
>
>Last I heard, and I know little of that OS so I might be out of
>date, it was able to take advantage of the 286 features, but only
>used a 386 as a fast 286.
Doesn't necessarily matter that it doesn't... staying in 286 "protected
mode" can actually be faster than going into 386 "enhanced mode" if you are
writing co-operative multi-tasking software, rather than pre-emptive
multi-tasking.
co-operative multi-tasking is ALWAYS the best way of multi-tasking. This
means that there is only a task-switch when the application gives itself up.
This is highly efficient, but relies on the quality of the applications
running, and well suited to protected mode.
pre-emptive multi-tasking is when the operating system takes control and
slices between applications. This is what Windows does (since 3.xx, anyway
- before it was co-operative). Commercial OS' that run third-part software
generally have to be pre-emptive because you can't guarentee the quality of
other peoples code. Embedded systems tend to be co-operative because you're
in control of all your code.
Hope this helps, and isn't too technical for everybody..
Best wishes
James
(stands back in amazement that this could actually be construed as
supporting a competitor :-)
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