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Posted to dev@openoffice.apache.org by "Dennis E. Hamilton" <de...@acm.org> on 2016/03/30 22:48:33 UTC
Interesting Developments for Windows-targetted software
<http://blog.dustinkirkland.com/2016/03/ubuntu-on-windows.html>.
Along with the ability to run native Linux later before the endo of the year, and improvements in access to the Windows Store for Win32 applications, there is the additional feature of Microsoft Visual Studio to support a version of the VC++ with a Clang-compatible front end. Same error messages, same preprocessing, but the compiling engine is still VC++.
None of this is helpful to Apache OpenOffice just yet, but the prospect of getting out from under CygWin on Windows is definitely something to look forward to, along with the highly-improved file-system integration that will come with GNU/Windows as some are beginning to call this.
-- Dennis E. Hamilton
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dennis.hamilton@acm.org +1-206-779-9430
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RE: Interesting Developments for Windows-targetted software
Posted by "Dennis E. Hamilton" <de...@acm.org>.
There's good news (2 flavors) and bad news (one) concerning the forthcoming Windows 10 Anniversary Update.
Features of that upgrade are now available in a Windows Insider build 10.0.14316 and I can confirm more interesting things.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dennis E. Hamilton [mailto:dennis.hamilton@acm.org]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2016 13:49
> To: dev@openoffice.apache.org
> Subject: Interesting Developments for Windows-targetted software
>
> <http://blog.dustinkirkland.com/2016/03/ubuntu-on-windows.html>.
>
> Along with the ability to run native Linux later before the endo of the
> year, and improvements in access to the Windows Store for Win32
> applications, there is the additional feature of Microsoft Visual Studio
> to support a version of the VC++ with a Clang-compatible front end.
> Same error messages, same preprocessing, but the compiling engine is
> still VC++.
>
> None of this is helpful to Apache OpenOffice just yet, but the prospect
> of getting out from under CygWin on Windows is definitely something to
> look forward to, along with the highly-improved file-system integration
> that will come with GNU/Windows as some are beginning to call this.
[orcmid]
BAD NEWS FIRST
The Linux on Windows (aka GNU/Windows) subsystem installs easily. The Windows file system is visible from the subsystem environment. However, unlike the case with CygWin, MSYS, etc., it is not possible to execute Windows applications from within the subsystem. So no use of Windows development tools and utilities.
It's also unclear how the Linux on Windows file system is visible to Windows applications at all. The Windows File explorer doesn't seem to find it.
FIRST GOOD NEWS
Visual C++ Build Tools, all of the command-line tools including the VC++ compilers (x86, x64, and ARM) and the Windows SDK are available as a separate free download,
<https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/vcblog/2016/03/31/announcing-the-official-release-of-the-visual-c-build-tools-2015/>.
This appears to include all of the parts relied upon for building Apache OpenOffice. There is no IDE, although one could presumably use Visual Code and any other source-code editor of ones choosing.
Since these are at the Visual Studio 2015 level, targeting Windows XP may be difficult. But as the target window for AOO eventually moves, this will be helpful.
POSSIBLY MORE-EXCITING NEWS
There is now, in beta, a method for mechanically converting Win32 desktop applications to Windows UWP application (that is, ones that install as apps from the Windows Store),
<https://msdn.microsoft.com/windows/uwp/porting/desktop-to-uwp-root>.
For Apache OpenOffice, the benefit is on Windows 10 desktop only. It provides automatic conversion from the existing .exe installer to a Windows Store app. It is a step toward evolving the features set to take advantage of tablet/touch and even mobile operation, but not without developer involvement. That is, taking advantage of full UWP (Universal Windows Platform) capability takes more development than this special-purpose desktop-only case.
An experiment needs to be run to determine whether the automatic conversion works at all. If it does, it produces a signed package that is store-eligible with automatic updates from the store become available as well. This could provide more confident downloading for Windows 10 users and also make it more difficult for attaching adware and other unwanted provisions to .exe installers from Apache OpenOffice.
There is no rush, but confirming what it will take, whether the arrangement is workable for AOO, and how to take advantage of it is worthwhile to work our way into on the assumption that becoming a full-up citizen of Windows 10 will become increasingly important.
>
> -- Dennis E. Hamilton
> orcmid@apache.org
> dennis.hamilton@acm.org +1-206-779-9430
> https://keybase.io/orcmid PGP F96E 89FF D456 628A
> X.509 certs used and requested for signed e-mail
>
>
>
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