Formal definition of cygwin and its importance?

[scienceguy]

Can anyone tell me a formal definition of cygwin and its importance?
Your help is greatly appreciated.

 

[PerennialII]

Might this do, you got something specific in mind ?

http://www.cygwin.com/

What Is Cygwin?
# Cygwin is a Linux-like environment for Windows. It consists of two parts: A DLL (cygwin1.dll) which acts as a Linux API emulation layer providing substantial Linux API functionality.
# A collection of tools, which provide Linux look and feel.

The Cygwin DLL works with all non-beta, non "release candidate", ix86 32 bit versions of Windows since Windows 95, with the exception of Windows CE.
What Isn't Cygwin?
# Cygwin is not a way to run native linux apps on Windows. You have to rebuild your application from source if you want to get it running on Windows.
# Cygwin is not a way to magically make native Windows apps aware of UNIX ® functionality, like signals, ptys, etc. Again, you need to build your apps from source if you want to take advantage of Cygwin functionality.

 

[ravenprp]

Cygwin is a software package that provides a Unix-like environment and command-line interface for Windows operating systems. It allows users to run Unix tools and utilities on a Windows system, providing a bridge between the two operating systems.

The importance of Cygwin lies in its ability to enable developers and users to have access to a wide range of powerful Unix tools and utilities, such as the GNU Compiler Collection and the Bash shell, on a Windows platform. This allows for a more efficient and seamless development process, as well as the ability to utilize a wider range of software and tools. Additionally, Cygwin can also be used to port Unix applications to Windows, making it a valuable tool for cross-platform development. Overall, Cygwin plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between Windows and Unix systems, enhancing the capabilities and productivity of users.