DOS
Interfacing with C++: Programming Real World Applications
DOS Users
The BC++ directory on the companion CD contains programs that can be compiled using Borland C/C++
to run under DOS. These programs are identical to those in the book. For you to be able to compile and run
these programs, you must have Borlandr C/C++ installed in your computer. In general, Borland C/C++ for
DOS is installed under DOS. However, you may install it under many of the Microsoftr Windows based operating
systems. In this book however, our main aim is to learn C/C++ programming through hardware interfacing. This
requires accessing the hardware ports of your computer. In particular, the programs in the book must be able to
access the parallel port. The DOS programs that require port access can run under DOS, Windows 3.0, Windows
3.1, Windows95 and Windows98 without the need of a driver. DOS programs that run under other variants of
Microsoft Windows will require a driver program to access ports. See winintro.pdf file for details.
If you are a DOS, Windows 3.0 or Windows 3.1 user you must use the programs in the BC++ directory in
conjunction with Borland C/C++. You need to purchase a licensed copy of Borland C/C++ and install it under
DOS/Windows 3.0/Windows 3.1. Then copy the entire BC++ directory on to your hard disk. Most users choose
to use the Integrated Development Environment of Borland C/C++. Programs that are contained within a single
file can be compiled and run without the need to form a project file. All programs up to and including Chapter 8
are single file programs. From Chapter 9 onwards, we have employed multiple file (modular) programming. These
multiple files must be compiled and linked together to form a single executable file. To accomplish this under
Borland C/C++, project files must be formed. Chapter 9 briefly describes the use of project files.
Some users may choose to use the ‘Command Line’ version of Borland C/C++. Instead of project files, they
may use ‘make files’. The use of make files are described briefly in Chapter 9. They are described further in
linuxintro.pdf file as make files are extensively used with GNU C/C++ under Linux.
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