universal joint

n : coupling that connects two rotating shafts allowing freedom

of movement in all directions; "in motor vehicles a

universal joint allows the driveshaft to move up and down

as the vehicle passes over bumps" [syn: {universal}]

universal thunk

A software mechanism allowing

a {Windows 3.1} {application} to call a {32-bit} {dynamically

linked library} (DLL) under {Win32s}.

The {Windows 3.1} {application} which wants to call an entry

in a 32-bit DLL instead calls a corresponding entry in a

{16-bit} DLL. The programmer must also include {code} to

detect whether the {32-bit} DLL is loaded. A {32-bit} {EXE}

loads the {32-bit} DLL.

See also {Generic Thunk}, {Flat Thunk}.

["Calling a Win32 DLL from a Windows 3.1 Application", Win32

SDK Knowledge Base, Article ID Q97785].

[Better explanation?]

(1997-10-11)