Subj : Re: OWL for Win32?
To   : borland.public.cpp.borlandcpp
From : Jogy
Date : Mon Jun 07 2004 11:17 am

Andreas wrote:
> Hi!
> 
> A relative asked me for help concerning a program which was programmed with
> an old version of Borland C++ compiler for Win3.11 (thus Win16-API). The
> program uses OWL (object windows library).
> 
> The program worked well over several years (also in Win95 and Win NT). But
> on Win XP some people have problems with it (my relative doesnīt have these
> problems unfortunately). It is a scientific program, programmed by a former
> colleague of my relative.
> 
> I think the best way would be to port the program to Win 32-API, but I donīt
> know how much effort it would cost, as I donīt know the OWL library.
> 
> So I have some questions:
> - Is the OWL still included in current Borland C++ environments? In which?

The official developing of OWL by Borland stopped in 1997 with the 
release of Borland C++ 5.02.

Afterwards an open-source project named OWLNExt was started by Yura 
Bidus. A version of OWLNExt is included in Borland C++ Builder 5,
but the later products, C++ Builder 6 and C++ Builder X do not include 
it. But the OWLNExt developing still continues (http://www.owlnext.org/)

I think the best way to get OWL is to look for used version of BC++ 5.02
at http://www.ebay.com/, http://www.recycledsoftware.com/, or
http://www.emsps.com/oldtools/borland.htm .


> - How much effort would it take to port the program?

I have written an article about the conversion from OWL 1 up to OWLNExt:
http://owlnext.sourceforge.net/article13.htm


> - Or do you recommend a different solution than porting it to Win 32-API
> using a newer version of OWL?
> 

If you can separate the UI and the rest of the program, it might be 
easier to rewrite the user interface from scratch, using C++ Builder.
VCL (or CLX) can help in very quikly putting the interface.


-- 
Jogy
http://www.jogy.net/
jogy@sirma.bg

.