Is Windows NT (or windows 95, or even Windows CE now) a Real-Time Operating System?
This question appears repeatedly in this news group. Here are the key points: – Despite a real-time class process, the Win32 API is not suitable to be used for a Real-Time System: 1. Too few priorities for processes and threads 2. No priority inheritance mechanism 3. Some calls are synchronous with process from the Dynamic Class – Despite a good interface to hardware for CLASSICAL applications, this interface is not suitable to develop a Real-Time System: 1. Most of the job in a device driver is done at the DPC level. And most COTS DD take too much time in the DPC. 2. The DPC problem could have been avoided by increasing the number of DPC levels, but this is not the case. 3. Pentium Power Management interrupt can preempt your system for an unpredictible amount of time (depending of the BIOS) – Real-Time clock There is a lack of programmable timer. For a more complete view, look at article: http://www.dedicated-systems.com/magazine/97q2/winntasrtos.htm Some companies are now providing R
