WD6: Start Time of PowerMac Version Longer Than 68K Version

• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, version 6.0

SYMPTOMS

Word 6.0 for the Macintosh optimized for the Power Macintosh takes longer to start than the version that runs on other Macintosh computers when both versions are run on a Power Macintosh.

CAUSE

Code optimized for the PowerMac is much larger than code for other Macintosh computers, so it takes longer to load into the computer's memory.

Startup speed of the native version (specifically designed for the PowerMac) takes approximately 20 percent longer than versions running in emulation mode. However, the native version provides better performance once Word is running. The native version starts slower because the Word program file is larger (PPC specific code) and can't delay loading OLE, libraries, the Speller, and so forth.

MORE INFORMATION

The Power Macintosh uses Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) technology, and other Macintosh computers use Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) technology. The difference between these two types is that the microprocessor in the computer understands either a large or small set of instructions. This difference doesn't limit either computer in the tasks it can do; it only changes how the code is written to do the same thing.

For example, suppose a CISC doesn't understand any mathematical instructions except "ADD." To do multiplication, you would have to do addition several times. The benefit of using RISC is that if the computer uses fewer instructions, it can complete all of the instructions much faster because the computer takes less time to interpret the instructions. Therefore, adding multiple times is actually faster than doing true multiplication.