Re: BIOS calls?

[sundialsvc4]

User-mode programs (including all programs written in Perl) do not have direct access to the hardware.   But the operating system does, and should you be unfortunate enough to still be using a system that has a “BIOS,” (only) the OS can make the calls.

[Anonymous Monk]

should you be unfortunate enough to still be using a system that has a “BIOS,”

unfortunate to be using a modern computer?

Why do you say such ridiculous things?

[Sinistral]

He's referring to Apple hardware that uses Extensible Firmware Interface, or perhaps to Sun (now Oracle) hardware that uses Open Firmware. It's only Intel PC type motherboards that use a BIOS (and he's right, it's old crufty technology, but it does have the weight of inertia and a gigantic installed base).

[Anonymous Monk]

He's referring to Apple hardware ...

Yes, even PCs use EFI, but the majority of modern computers still use BIOS

it's old crufty technology

The tech might be old and crufty , but its a fact irrelevant to most computer users