Is backward compatibility needed
Is backward compatibility needed
I just wanted to know the general opnion on this subject. Please feel free to voice yours.
Only Human
-
Tim
Re:Is backward compatibility needed
Depends what with.
Compatibility with old hardware: Definitely, if that's what you're targetting. Your OS will have very limited appeal if it only runs on a 3GHz machine with 1GB RAM and a 128MB graphics card.
Compatibility with old software: Maybe. Depends whether you want the ability to run other people's software in the first place.
Compatibility with old versions of the same OS: Yes, if there are users out there using the previous version. As with old hardware, it's no use releasing a new OS if it's not compatible with what people are using the old one with (software or hardware).
Compatibility with old hardware: Definitely, if that's what you're targetting. Your OS will have very limited appeal if it only runs on a 3GHz machine with 1GB RAM and a 128MB graphics card.
Compatibility with old software: Maybe. Depends whether you want the ability to run other people's software in the first place.
Compatibility with old versions of the same OS: Yes, if there are users out there using the previous version. As with old hardware, it's no use releasing a new OS if it's not compatible with what people are using the old one with (software or hardware).