TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: In & Under From:Glenda Jeffrey <jeffrey -at- LEMOND -dot- HKS -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 18 May 1995 08:29:40 -0400
Douglas Thayer wrote:
> In the sentence, "XXX runs in the Windows environment and under UNIX,"
> is there any difference in usage between "in" and "under"? Could these
> be swapped without affecting the meaning of the sentence?
I believe you have to think of operating systems like governments.
(By analogy, the OS could be thought of as the computer's government, I guess.)
For example, you would say "Taxes were raised under the Reagan administration."
Using "in" instead of "under" would not have the same meaning.
The same idea applies when talking about software working a particular
way "under Unix" or "under Windows".
Regarding "in the Windows environment" -- I think you would always
use "in" along with "environment", even if you weren't talking
about computers. For example, "Newt Gingrich has flourished in the
new conservative environment."
Sorry for the Republican references -- that's just what came to
mind.
--
Glenda Jeffrey Email: jeffrey -at- hks -dot- com
Hibbitt, Karlsson & Sorensen, Inc Phone: 401-727-4200
1080 Main St. Fax: 401-727-4208
Pawtucket, RI 02860
