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From: osmoviita@cc.helsinki.fi
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.programmer
Subject: Zortech C/C++ 3.0 (Was Re: Intel 386 C)
Message-ID: <1991Jun18.220632.1@cc.helsinki.fi>
Date: 18 Jun 91 20:06:32 GMT
References: <1234@ocsmd.com> <4097@ssc-bee.ssc-vax.UUCP> <1991Jun13.231255.7781@proto.com>
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Organization: University of Helsinki
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In article <1991Jun13.231255.7781@proto.com>, doug@proto.com (Doug Huffman) writes:
> 
> Zortech is now advertiseing a DOS extender without royalities with their
> C/C++ compiler.  It is DPMI, VCPI, and 'vanilla' DOS compliant (I don't
> believe the Intel one is VCPI compliant).  Also of interest is that it
> is VERY small.  To a "Hello world" program it adds about 10K compared
> to 'large memory model' program, a 100K large model program will normally
> show a size reduction.
> 
> Almost all the standard library functions in the Zortech library 
> 'just work' no fuss, no muss (a couple of bios_ functions are missing,
> along with spawn() and exec()).  This means your interrupt driven mouse 
> code, graphics, direct screen I/O, etc work the same as in the more
> conventional memory models.
> 
> This extender comes with the Developer's Edition 3.0 which includes 
> everything you need to develop for MS DOS, MS Windows (SDK isn't required
> anymore), and OS/2.  Also included is a royality free 286 DOS extender.
> 
> Package price is about $600 via mail order houses, about $700 direct
> from Zortech.
> 
>>discalimer:  I have no connection with Intel except for a $500 hole
>>in my Visa card.
> 
> disclaimer: I have no connection with Zortech except they bought the
> distribution rights to the 386 DOS extender from me.
> 
> doug@proto.com

Sounds great! Perhaps it is the candidate to chooce for casual programmers
for accessing large memory in their programs. Still some questions:

Q1: When you say it is DPMI, VCPI, and 'vanilla' DOS compliant, does this 
mean that the programs compiled with it are also? And can you compile 
a program which is DPMI and VCPI compliant at the same time or do you need 
to compile different versions for each case?

Q2: What kind of improvements there is in the integrated developing
environment? I have only read some test saying Zortech is nice but Borlands
environment is better -- not seen Zortech compiler yet. Ie. is it also for
beginners?
(There is some people who stick with QuickBasic until there is
an easy integrated 32 bit C with good graphics support and documentation
because eg. Borland C++ is not an answer for them).

Q3: Is it possible to write inline assembler code like in Borland and
Microsof products? If not what to use with it if there is a need for some
lines of assembler code? (Perhaps the novice has got an assembler listing 
what does exactly what (s)he wants and (s)he is afraid of even thinking 
to use separate XYZ assemler package which nobody has heard about.)
I am interested of the 386 extender version.

Q4: In OS/2 version, how is it possible to manipulate SuperVGA's registers
 --for example if I need to choose another graphics card's clock frequency
and do not understand how to make drivers?

Q5: When OS/2 2.O is available can I use Zortech compiler for 32 bit OS/2
code? (Before Borland?)

Q6: Is there support for XGA in graphics libraries? Complete list of
graphics support would be nice!

Q7: ANSI? According Computer language's May C issue the 2.18 version had
some minor problems with Plum Hall tests. How does 3.0 survive?

Q8: How tested, buggy, stable,...

Thanks in advance

Kari Osmoviita          osmoviita@cc.helsinki.fi

disclaimer: I have almost no connection with (32 bit) C programming 
except testing that some compilers were not yet easy enough for QuickBASIC 
programmers for whom among others I am trying to choose one common tool.