Use Cygwin or VM with UNIX for library that requires UNIX?

Question

Forgive my ignorance: I need to use a library that requires a UNIX system (LIBSHORTTEXT). Do I need to install a virtual machine with Unix or is Cygwin enough? (I've read quite a few articles about the difference between them but I don't really understand the practical difference for this specific use). Thanks!

Edit: The documentation that said that the library needs UNIX is here

Answer 1

That really depends on what makes the library "require UNIX". Looking at it briefly, it appears to be ANSI C and Python, both of which should either compile or be fairly easy to port on a Windows development system. In your case I'd go with Cygwin if you don't already have a development suite running, as it is likely to allow you to just get things running.

A Virtual Machine is a bit more compartmentalized, so much less connection between Windows and the running software. Unless you are planning to use the operating system in the Virtual Machine as a target for your program, it is a bit of overkill in this case, IMHO.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Normally I would say Cygwin will do, but it depens on how you use the library. And when you say that the library requires a UNIX system what do you mean? Are you building a python or c++ program?

The main difference between working in cygwin and a VM is that cygwin is still working in a windows environment with windows directories and hardware drivers, whereas a VM have all this emulated as if it actually was a UNIX machine.