RE: XFree over Cygwin (Win9x, NT, Win2K)

[Mike MacDonald <mmacdonald at tsi dot gte dot com>]

Thanx.  Well, I've just gotta dive into the code..  I'll look for the design
doc, that sounds to be something that could help me.  Unfortunately, I was
trying to attack a small isolated area - and logic kinda swept me into a big
mess.  I think that I only need a few specific bits of information though
right now.

I have to find out where main() is for one of the Xservers, so I know where
to start.  And I need to find out at a high level (1 paragraph at most) how
the xaa stuff works..  Anyway, I'll dig and find it..

I know what pieces of code I need to write, and where..  I just am having
trouble with fitting some of the pieces back into the puzzle.

-----Original Message-----
From: Koen Gadeyne [mailto:koen.gadeyne@barco.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 1999 2:26 AM
To: devel@XFree86.Org
Subject: RE: XFree over Cygwin (Win9x, NT, Win2K) 


At 01:39 PM 22-12-1999 -0500, you wrote:
>I've read alot about that, and am working with Suhaib and Cygwin-XFree on
>this..
>
>I'm just pissing and moaning about some of the responses I've read to
these
>issues..

I think most of us all fell the same when we start working on XFree86. 

>Really, I'm just asking for help in understanding how the XFree86 server
>code is layed out..

The DESIGN document in the XFree86 code tree is a very good start. It will
give you an idea of how the big pieces fit together. More or less.

But as for a more general "tour" of XFree86, I think you will not find
anyone who will want to do that.

You see, that is nearly impossible to do. Only a few people at XFree86 know
the ins and outs of the entire XFree86 code tree, and those are exactly the
people who would need 48 hours in one day just to be able to keep up, let
alone train others.

So what you're asking is very normal, but in XFree86 it is in fact almost
impossible to achieve.

You'll just have to walk the path everyone has to take: plunge in, and ask
detailed questions on this list when you run into a wall. As long as the
answer won't take 10 pages, someone will take the time to help you. Just
don't expect a full-blown technical manual from anyone (nobody has it).
Also don't forget to consult the archives, so as to not offend the old
bunch with questions that have been answered already :-)

>I'm a little new to X, but pretty old hat at doing low
>level device type stuff..
>
>I don't see any problems with getting this to work.  I just need to get a
>feel for the code.   If there is anyone that can help me to learn my way
>around, it would save me alot of time.  If not, I will figure out the code
>sooner or later..

Most people start by attacking a small isolated problem in XFree86, which
doesn't require you to know the entire XFree86 code. You'll see such
problems mentionned now and then on the devel list. When you see one that
looks like something you'd like to tackle: JUMP! 

K.