Odin (software)

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Odin is software that makes the Windows libraries available under the OS / 2 Warp operating system or the successor system eComStation in order to be able to use Windows programs under these operating systems. It is also supposed to simplify the porting of Windows software to OS / 2 by means of a supplied Odin32 API . Although these programs cannot use OS / 2-specific properties such as the Workplace Shell (WPS), they are integrated into the operating system as executable applications and made available to users.

This software is subject to open source regulations and is freely available to everyone. The project is named after Odin , the supreme god of Germanic and Nordic mythology.

The project

The project goals are:

  • Every Windows program should be able to load and function properly.
  • A full OS / 2 implementation of the Win32 API.

Although these goals are far from being achieved, many programs are already working properly. For example, StarOffice version 5.2 can be used, but OpenOffice.org requires an additional compatibility layer. On the support of special Windows interfaces such as B. DirectX has been waived so far. As well as the support of seldom used libraries. In this sense, Odin is aimed at users in the business environment who value high availability, especially in the server area, the majority of eComStation buyers.

Odin32 is also used commercially for the OS / 2 port of the Opera web browser .

status

The last version has the number 0.8.9 and its leading zero indicates a beta status . This version from 2013 is still up to date. The history of ticket changes still shows continuous development work, but at significantly longer intervals than a few years ago.

Indications as to whether the development of a Win64 programming interface (API) or the support of additional software platforms (e.g. .NET or UWP -Apps) are ever planned are not available on the developer side.

Technical features

Odin achieves binary compatibility by translating Win32 EXE and DLL files into the OS / 2 format. The conversion happens either "on the fly" (every time the program is run) or permanently. Odin is not an emulation and because of its own developer API, not a pure compatibility level.

Odin presents itself to Windows applications as "Windows 2000 Service Pack 2". It uses code from Wine that supports Win32 applications on Unix-like operating systems.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Information on StarOffice on the de.os2.org website
  2. ↑ This is obviously an unchanged Windows version, which was created by IBM itself ( Support Agreement for OpenOffice ) with the help of the Odin Windows libraries and a special runtime environment from Innotek (reference: OOo forum ( Memento from 23 August 2009 in the Internet Archive )) .org for eComStation and OS / 2 ) or via the online shop shop.mensys.nl .
  3. ↑ Distribution of the eComStation through the company Serenity : About us
  4. ↑ The Odin Project - Wiki page at netlabs.org
  5. ↑ All tickets recently changed first - ticket overview on netlabs.org
  6. ↑ odin.netlabs.org: Odin Windows version change