mikev said:
I don't know much about them at all true. But I DO know that IE is windows based and writen for. I also know Microsoft didn't re-code the system to work on a Mac. The only logical way for a mac to run a windows based program is with another bit of software to translate the code. If i'm so wrong how DO they run it then MR SMARTMOUTH. explain it to me and your comment will stand. fail to explain it and well, you'll know as much as me about macs.
Microsoft heavily uses C++ and a few other languages to develop their applications. The code is written in modules know as api libraries that do specific things, such as request a socket, parse html, create instances of objects, marshall requests, etc, etc. Thousands of api calls in Internet Explorer related libraries alone. Some of the library interfaces are made public, others are proprietary to Microsoft.
These api libraries are then compiled, and linked with other libraries that provide the interface to the target operating system, ultimately executing machine code specific to the processor in the system - 68xxx, PowerPC, 80xxx, Pentium X, Dragonball, etc.
C++ is a universal programming language. Applications such as IE for Windows, IE for Mac, IE for Pocket PC, etc. are compiled to a target platform. Tools such as this are commonly available like this one:
www.metrowerks.com . This is why many applications run on multiple platforms, including ones that I have personally authored.
Your original statement is at best, wrong and at worst, propaganda to criticize Apple:
IE on your mac is running through a shelled application window making it slower than on a PC.
There is no shell to make it slower. You are somewhat correct in your second statement:
I also know Microsoft didn't re-code the system to work on a Mac.
They reused much of the api code, but certain parts were rewritten to deal with the User Interface differences between Windows and Macs.
There are a lot of things I don't know crap about. This is one I know more than a few things about.
As I have said in other posts: if you make a sound argument, I fully respect it even if I disagree. If you think Apple sucks, fine. But if you make an argument based on misinformation, I'll probably point it out.