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IDE and Compiler >> Compiler >> Windows Store http://lbb.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=compiler&action=display&num=1517670336 Windows Store
Post by Rod on Feb 3rd, 2018, 2:05pm
We are being asked if it is possible to convert a program to run in/on Windows Store. It appears that C# code is accepted. But it must use the "Windows API". I just wonder whether a compiled LBB program might make the transition.
I know very little about the Store. I do know that it can't happen with LB. because of the unique runtime engine.
It appears that .exe is a thing of the past and that the app is opened and run by the Store's runtime. Probably smoke and mirrors to control distribution.
Re: Windows Store
Post by Richard Russell on Feb 3rd, 2018, 2:58pm
We are being asked if it is possible to convert a program to run in/on Windows Store.
Why? The original reason for the Windows Store was to support Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps that would run on both desktops and mobile devices. But with Windows mobile being pretty much dead, what's the usage case?
Obviously you would not be able, in any straightforward way, to make a Liberty BASIC program 'CPU agnostic', so that it will run on either an x86 (desktop) or ARM (mobile) processor, so that pretty much kills the idea stone dead to begin with.
Quote:
It appears that .exe is a thing of the past
I hardly think that's the case!
Richard. Re: Windows Store
Post by Richard Russell on Feb 4th, 2018, 09:48am
We are being asked if it is possible to convert a program to run in/on Windows Store.
For further clarification I assume that when you say "run in/on Windows Store" you mean 'create a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app' - I think that's what most people will understand it to mean and that's what I addressed in my previous reply. See this Wikipedia page for more details.
Although this is the original, and primary, purpose of the Windows Store it is also possible to deploy 'conventional' Win32 desktop (i.e. x86-specific) programs through the store, for convenience and as a means of giving a potential user more confidence in the product and an 'assurance' that it adheres to certain standards imposed by Microsoft. This is akin to the way OS X apps may be distributed either in an ad-hoc fashion or via the Mac App Store.
If this is what the original query is referring to then it may be technically possible to deploy LB or LBB apps that way, but it would probably be a lot of effort for questionable benefit.