Hi!
26-Дек-2004 03:19 [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Goh, Yong Kwang) wrote to
[email protected]:
GYK> I'm planning to do some DOS programming and I'm hoping that my DOS
GYK> program will run on MS-DOS, Win9x and FreeDOS as well. So I'm looking for
GYK> recommendation for a C compiler that works best in generating applications
GYK> for FreeDOS. In addition, may I know if there is a standard/most
GYK> common C compiler that FreeDOS developers have agreed on using for FreeDOS
GYK> development?
Earlier, there was recommended Borland C++ 3.1. But it is very outdated
(in sense of language), closed source, commercial, non-free and contains
bugs, which will never fixed. Currently, it gradually replaced OpenWatcom
C/C++ compiler (www.openwatcom.org). Unfortunately, there are no other
valued alternatives for this compiler, which (1) supports not very outdated
language edition, (2) completely supports 16-bit target and (3) works under
MS-DOS.
GYK> Previously, I've been using DJGPP for MSDOS and has generally been
GYK> satisfied except for a little grouse that it seems to be relatively
GYK> incomplete that I've to download separate packages and libraries from
GYK> different places; the DJGPP package doesn't appear to me as an integrated
GYK> and complete development platform.
Also, DJGPP neither supports 16-bit targets nor `far' keyword (for
pointers, which contains both segment and offset part).
GYK> Borland C++ has been left out because it generates only 32-bit Windows
GYK> console and GUI applications, not DOS executables.
Personal edition - yes, there is completely dropped DOS support. Full
edition (was) support DOS targets.
GYK> Hence I'm thinking of switching over to OpenWatcom.
GYK> I hope someone who have used OpenWatcom compiler before can advise me on
GYK> whether the switch from DJGPP will be worth it.
It worth.
GYK> I've no experience with
GYK> OpenWatcom or Watcom compiler before, so I would like to know what I can
GYK> gain (and lose) in switching to OpenWatcom as my main development platform
GYK> for DOS (MSDOS and FreeDOS).
DJGPP may generate only programs for dos extenders, and, thus,
inapplicable for FreeDOS kernel. This is biggest disadvantage of DJGPP. On
the other side, OW was and is not very compatible with Borland C features
(there was and is MSC comptability goal, BC doesn't even studied :(, so in
this sense (switching to them) both compilers are equal.
GYK> Btw, I'm also open to other compilers as well, like Digital Mars or Pacific
GYK> C for example. If you do know of another compiler that seems to be better
GYK> than those stated here, you may wish to highlight them to me as well.
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