Dynamic memory allocation is greatly simplified under OS/2 Version 2.0, since the application developer is no longer required to explicitly code for the 80286 segmented memory model, with its size limitation of 64KB per segment. Larger units of memory may be allocated and manipulated as single units, simplifying application code and reducing development time for applications that manipulate large data structures.
When executable modules compiled for different environments are executed within the same process, the operating system handles interaction between these modules through thunk layers. The conversions made within the thunk layers are transparent to the application modules themselves, and do not require consideration by the application developer. This enables executable files, dynamic link libraries, and resources from different environments to be mixed within the same application.
In general, application developers using OS/2 Version 2.0 are provided with a greater level of function and, at the same time, may take advantage of greatly simplified application development through use of the 32-bit flat memory model, which removes much of the inherent complexity of memory manipulation within the application. Developers may produce applications more efficiently under Version 2.0, and may easily migrate their applications to and from the OS/2 Version 2.0 environment.