[steve1977]

What exactly do you consider systems programming, i.e. what would you like to achieve?

Windows is not open source, so unless you work for Microsoft, you won’t really be doing much “real” systems programming probably.

Do you want to program applications? Windows services? Device drivers?

[elzbardico]

Considering the absurdly huge number of hardware devices that have windows support, SCADA and automation system that run on windows, lab instrumentation, security and compliance software, I wouldn't be surprised to find that there are more system programmers making a living out of windows in a professional setting than linux system developers.

[steve1977]

Well that’s a fair point… I guess you could look at things like antivirus software as systems programming probably (or both systems and application programming)

[novagameco]

Do you think that "real" systems programming only occurs at the kernel level?

[steve1977]

No, do you think operating systems only consist of a kernel?

What would you consider systems programming on Windows for example?

[novagameco]

A task manager application which tells you how much memory your applications are using

[steve1977]

Ok I think I would consider this one application programming. But I can see how one could have a different view.