The VII PPPR (Pending Peeves Progress Review)

[Georg Wrede]

Walter Bright wrote:
> "Sean Kelly" wrote:
>> Stewart Gordon wrote:
>>> 
>>> And the issue of translating the Windows API headers has cropped
>>> up again.  There have been a number of efforts to do this, but
>>> they all have their imperfections as far as I can tell.  I've
>>> started another effort that'll hopefully be the best of them
>>> all....
>>> 
>>> http://www.digitalmars.com/drn-bin/wwwnews?digitalmars.D.announce/3194
>>> 
>> For Windows headers to be included in a standard library
>> distribution, they *must* be based on public domain header files.
>> As much as I'd love improved Windows functionality, I won't include
>> headers in Ares that violate the MS copyright, and I think Walter
>> feels the same for Phobos.
> 
> For gdc, and non-Digital Mars distributions, that's true. But for
> dmd, I do have a license from Microsoft on the windows header files.
> 
> But it would be better if the windows.d files are public domain, then
>  there's no issue at all.

IMHO, it would be appropriate if DMD used "genuine" M$ headers, and GDC 
used PD headers. After all, DMD is a closed-source product, and it comes 
from an established, single vendor. (So what, if it's free as in beer.) 
DMD is also the Official D compiler, as in credibility with the suits.