Does Mathematica support Windows 3.1?

After thoroughly investigating the technical issues involved in creating a port of Mathematica to the Windows 3.1 operating system, Wolfram Research has determined that Windows 3.1 will not be supported by our current version. Several factors have influenced this decision, many related to the limitations of the 16-bit architecture of the Windows 3.1 operating system itself.

Supporting information

Mathematica 3.0 and 4.0 are based on a 32-bit architecture, and Wolfram Research has determined that unacceptable compromises would be required to create a fully functional port to 16-bit Windows 3.1. These compromises would adversely affect performance, platform independence, and reliability. Although Win32s libraries from Microsoft allow 32-bit software to run under Windows 3.1, Microsoft has announced that the Win32s libraries will no longer be supported, making them an unsuitable technology to continue long-term Mathematica development.

Other issues affecting the viability of a Mathematica port to Windows 3.1 are related to limitations of the clipboard and of the Windows 3.1 resource management (leading to serious memory conflicts). Additionally, Windows 3.1 is also constrained internally to short file names, causing difficulties in file exchange with other platforms and with MathSource.

Pragmatic considerations have also played a part in the decision not to port to Windows 3.1. Many of the computers still using Windows 3.1 have not been upgraded to Windows 95/NT because of their limited storage and memory space.

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