c program porting from Windows to UNIX

[slim9913]

I worked on c/c++ executable file building on Windows platform before. Now, there is a need to port my c/c++ program from Windows to UNIX platform, and I have no experience in this at all. Anybody have step by step guidance on the porting work? First thing that I faced is, it has #include <windows.h> on Windows, what is the equivalent in Unix? Thanks a lot.

[sicarie]

Are you using the Win32 API? If so, you'll have to find the equivalent functions in Unix. I would start by Google searching the flavor of Unix you are using and "API".

[weaknessforcats]

If this is a graphical program, there is no Unix equivalent. You will need to recode the entire application uisng a Unix supported environment, like Motif.

[smalpani]

I think there is a fundamental difference between windows style programming starting with WinMain and UNIX style programs.

I think you can have most of the code that has algorithm etc.

but you will have to do a lot of re-structuring.

[RRick]

One of the first places to start is to figure out how to build the project. Windows uses VC++(workspaces and projects) and unix uses makefiles.

Before jumping into the quagmire of makefiles, I would look for an unix based IDE program that can read/convert the windows workspace and project files for the unix platform.

I have heard of Eclipse for C++, but have never used it. If you find one, let us know.

[weaknessforcats]

There is a solution here and one that could maake you a lot of money.

That is, write a CLR for C# that runs on Unix/Linux. All you need to is process the MSIL code that is the result of the C# and other .NET compilers. MSIL format is public domain so you don't need a license.

When this works ALL Windows .NET code will run on Unix/Linux.