[Zlib-devel] Avoiding WIN* macros in GNU code

[Cosmin Truta]

On Thu, 12 Jun 2003, Richard Stallman wrote:

>     The abbreviation is not WIN, but it is WIN32.
>
> Same difference.
>
>     By the way, what is the problem with using WIN32?
>
> It includes the word "win", and we don't want to call Microsoft
> Windows a win.

I understand. Should we do the same in zlib?
Is there an official GNU coding standard that states this?

There is still a very peculiar problem with WINDOWSNT: it indicates a
version of MS Windows that is based on an NT kernel, as opposed to a
version based on a Win9x kernel. The official _WINNT symbol indicates
exactly this. Software rely on it when calling Windows NT-specific
services.

The confusion created by WINDOWSNT is similar to one created by a
hypothetical REDHAT_LINUX symbol that would mean "GNU/Linux in general".

So may I suggest something like WINDOWS32 or MSWINDOWS32 instead?
I believe no other windowing system uses WINDOWS or WINDOWS32...

I also wish to point out that the introduction of a yet another new
macro doesn't help. The old ones must still be maintained, because
compilers (including gcc/Win32) preset them, and users rely on them.
Like it or not ... those macros are official, and well-known among
Windows programmers.


(After all, is this "Win32" naming thing one of Microsoft's strategic
moves? :)


Best regards,
Cosmin