Technical Definitions: What is 16-bit application? 16-bit application Definition.

Free Definitions: Software: Operating Systems

16-bit application Definition

Software for {MS-DOS} or {Microsoft Windows} which originally ran on the 16-bit {Intel 8088} and {80286} {microprocessors}.  These used a {segmented address space} to extend the range of addresses from what is possible with just a 16-bit address.  Programs with more than 64 kilobytes of code or data therefore had to waste time switching between {segments}.  Furthermore, programming with segments is more involved than programming in a {flat address space}, giving rise to {warts} like {memory models} in {C} and {C++}. Compare {32-bit application}. (1996-04-06)

Definition Provided By Denis Howe