Programming for xx bits Operating System

[Shahzad]

Can somebody tell me what is the real difference between 32 bit (win9x) and 16 bit OS. What shall a programmer worry about while programming in each? and what difference does it make for a programmer weather it is 16 bit or 32 bit OS?

Shahzad

[Feng Yuan]

1) 16-bit OS only supports 16-bit code.
2) 32-bit OS supports both 16-bit and 32-bit code.
3) 32-bit Win32 API is richer than 16-bit Win16 API.
4) It's easier to write program in 32-bit Win32 API than 16-bit Win16 API.
5) 32-bit program runs faster on new processors.
6) New tools like MSVC 5.00/6.00 does not support 16-bit program anymore.

Move programs to 32-bit, get ready for 64-bit.

[Shahzad]

thankyou for your time. The first eleminatary difference between a 16 and 32 bit codes is that the interget size is 16 bits and 32 bits in each of them respetively. What other diffrence does it make in their codes and why? Also why is it that it is the size of integer that depends directly on the xx bits operating system, why not any other variable type.

Shahzad