Re: Project: x86 to ARM binary translator

[Alexandre Julliard]

Yale Zhang  writes:
> - What's the best design:  whole system VM (qemu) or process VM (qemu &
>
> wine)?
>
> Process VM:
> - easier to incorporate 3D acceleration at API level
> - uses less memory
> - better performance (e.g. no need for MMU translation when accessing
>
> memory)
> - much better integration with host OS
> - needs to maintain custom Windows API implementation (Wine)
>
> Whole system VM:
> - simpler, more unified to implement
> - much better support for apps that are dependent on new, proprietary,
>
> obscure Windows libraries, interfaces    (moot because Office, Matlab, etc
> will soon be available for ARM)
>
> Given the aims of only running legacy applications and games, it seems a
> foregone conclusion that Wine's process VM approach is best. Comments?

I think you underestimate the complexity of doing the emulation at the
API level. You should first make it work by running the whole process
under the emulator; once you get this right, then you can start thinking
about running some parts natively.