Undocumented DOS items and DOS secrets: http://www.mdgx.com/
Ralf Brown's Interrupt lists (Release 61) A very good archive of information about all the interrupts and their services.
( For an HTML version of the interrupt list, see http://www.ctyme.com/rbrown.htm )
EasyDOS Help Page - Help on using DOS. (Has pop-ups :( )
Interesting DOS programs links page A very nice list of DOS links.
HelpPC 2.1 A very good archive of information. Here is an online reference.
What's it's file format If you are looking for a specific file format, this place has just about every file format needed.
http://www.members.shaw.ca/pccruiser/articles/dos7comm.htm -- DOS 7.x commands
http://alexfru.narod.ru/elinks.html
BeyondLogic.org -- Great info on USB and other devices....
http://www.nondot.org/sabre/os/ -- OS info regarding hardware and software
http://www.ata-atapi.com/
ftp://ftp.fsn.hu/pub/OpenDOS -- Open DOS FTP site
http://www.drdos.net/ DRDOS.Net - Unofficial DRDOS Information Site
http://rxdos.sourceforge.net/ -- RxDOS source code
http://www.rdos.net/rdos/index.htm
http://v2os.v2.nl/
http://tunes.org/Review/OSes.html
http://www.cs.utah.edu/flux/
http://www.cs.utah.edu/flux/oskit/
http://www.monmouth.com/user_pages/patv/
http://www.osuweb.net/~ahaning/totalhardware99/
Newsgroups:
alt.os.assembly
alt.os.development
Are you looking for an assembler? View my Assembler Review below.
The Assembly Language Web-Ring.
http://download.intel.com/design/processor/manuals/253665.pdf
-- Intel Architecture (IA-32) Software Developer's Manual, Volume 1: Basic Architecture (2008) ( 1997 )
http://download.intel.com/design/processor/manuals/253666.pdf
-- Intel Architecture (IA-32) Software Developer's Manual, Volume 2a (A-M): Instruction Set Reference Manual (2008) ( 1997 ) http://download.intel.com/design/processor/manuals/253667.pdf
-- Intel Architecture (IA-32) Software Developer's Manual, Volume 2b (N-Z): Instruction Set Reference Manual (2008)
http://download.intel.com/design/processor/manuals/253668.pdf
-- Intel Architecture (IA-32) Software Developer's Manual, Volume 3a (part 1): System Programming Guide (2008) ( 1997 )
http://download.intel.com/design/processor/manuals/253669.pdf
-- Intel Architecture (IA-32) Software Developer's Manual, Volume 3b (part 2): System Programming Guide (2008)
Update to a few typos and what not to above three items.
http://www.intel.com/design/intarch/PAPERS/ESC_IA_P.HTM
-- Programming with the Intel architecture in the flat memory model
http://www.bttr-software.de/ - A few links to some assemblers and other DOS programming.
Newsgroups:
alt.lang.asm
comp.lang.asm.x86 (also known as CLAX)
DOS Solutions - a good reference on Visual Basic 1.0
http://www.nicholson.com/rhn/basic/ - at least a dozen basic interpreters, most with source code.
Winer.zip A very good archive of information as well as a free book.
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q49/7/09.ASP?LN=EN-US&SD=gn&FR=0 Interesting info about the VAL function.
http://jackklein.home.att.net/
http://www.dinkumware.com/
http://www.infosys.utas.edu.au/info/documentation/C/CStdLib.html
http://www.eng.usf.edu/~black/C-command.html
http://www.netikka.net/tsneti/info/tscmd.htm
http://www.programmersheaven.com/ Tools for programmers.
PKZIP for DOS version 2.50. Same as the original 2.04g, except now includes long filename support, Y2K, etc.
Unless the new owners change their format a little, I am no longer recommending the main SIMTEL site. However, if you would still like to visit it, you may do so here: http://www.simtel.net/.
View http://www.x86.org/ for info on the latest N-TEL secrets/bugs/etc. including undocumented stuff.
Doctor Dobb's Journal is a great source of programming information (Windows). Their site includes a lot of source code that has been included in there journals since early 90's.
Browse and Buy Books at Amazon.com
Michael Abrash has released his wonderful "Graphics Programming Black Book" in PDF format to the public.
You can get a copy from http://www.ddj.com/documents/s=865/ddj0165f/
http://www.bgnett.no/~giva/ -- Watt32 Home Page
Learn-c.com Embedded Systems Tutorial
(He is also the Author of: http://www.superstart.org/)
http://www.phanderson.com/
http://www.jameco.com is where I get my supplies.
Source code to the Hello, World! program in almost any language and style.
Source code to most any Quine.
(A Quine is considered a program that can print its own source listing)
A fellow DOS user sent me this article the other day. I enjoyed it, maybe you will to.
http://www.gamedev.net/
Find Easter Eggs in just about any software package as well as hardware, movies, and other media.
Hugi Size Coding Compo. About once a month there is a new assembler size coding compo here. As of this update, the 11th compo is on it's way with a path finder being the subject. It is great compo'en and is updated 'daily' so that you can see where you are ranked. You can always send in your updated entry. There is also a mailing list.
Programmer Of The Month. POTM is a contest usually in C for various tasks. Usually a little more than a months time. (Watch out for the popup)
Shareware/Freeware Compilers/Interpreters on the web:
The following are links to several shareware/freeware compilers/interpreters.
Visit these sites for other lists:
http://www.thefreecountry.com/
more to come.
ADA
Nothing at this time...
Assemblers
The following is a review of assemblers that I have created for your benefit.
All comments are of my own opinion. Take them as you see fit :)
If you use or know of another (DOS) assembler not listed here, or see a correction that should be made about one of these listed below, please let me know.
The list is in alphabetical order with no preferences toward any assembler.
| Eric Isaacson's ShareWare Assembler and Debugger | ||
| File Name: | A86/D86 (A386/D386) | |
| Location: | http://www.eji.com/a86/ | |
| Version: | 4.05 |
This assembler doesn't require any "red tape"/directives to assemble a file directly to a .com file. However, for ease of use and outputs other than .COM, directives are required. A86 will create output files in the following formats: .COM, .OBJ, and .BIN (image files). To get the higher processor capabilities, you must purchase the A386/D386 package. However, recently, the author has included some instruction on how to create Windows programs. |
| Processor: | 286/PIII | |
| Run OS: | DOS | |
| Target: | DOS | |
| Type: | Shareware | |
| Open Source: | No | |
| Supported: | By the author | |
| Pros: Small and very fast | ||
| Cons: No support for 386+ (A86/D86) / Must pay for 386+ support (A386/D386) | ||
| ArrowSoft Assembler | ||
| File Name: | ASM | |
| Location: | ftp://ftp.dunfield.com/arrowasm.zip (60k) | |
| Version: | 2.00c | Syntax is MASM 3.0 compatible. Looks as if it has support for floating point code and emulation code for the x87. |
| Processor: | 286 | |
| Run OS: | DOS 3.0+ | |
| Target: | DOS | |
| Type: | Public Domain | |
| Open Source: | No | |
| Supported: | ||
| Pros: Support for Floating point and emulation of x87 | ||
| Cons: Only supports up to the 80x286 | ||
| Assembler 32 | ||
| File Name: | ASM32 | |
| Location: | http://www.intelligentfirm.com/asm32.htm (23k) | |
| Version: | 1.1 | This assembler doesn't require any "red tape"/directives. Is a very capable 32-bit PMode assembler. If you register, you can receive CPL32, the "next generation" ASM32. |
| Processor: | PII | |
| Run OS: | Windows Console (?) | |
| Target: | Windows Console*, DOS | |
| Type: | Shareware (Free) | |
| Open Source: | No | |
| Supported: | By the author | |
| Pros: Small and no red tape | ||
| Cons: Don't know, haven't used it yet. | ||
| CHeap ASseMbler | ||
| File Name: | CHASM | |
| Location: | ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/asmutl/chasm4.zip (103k) | |
| Version: | 4.00S | I found CHASM to be an easy to use assembler and would be a great start for someone to learn on. CHASM only creates .COM and direct binary files. |
| Processor: | 80x88 | |
| Run OS: | DOS 2.0+ | |
| Target: | DOS | |
| Type: | Adware | |
| Open Source: | No | |
| Supported: | No | |
| Pros:Easy to use and learn on | ||
| Cons:Only produces 80x86 .COM files | ||
| Flat Assembler | ||
| File Name: | FASM | |
| Location: | http://flatassembler.net/ (164k) | |
| Version: | 1.67.26 |
I have not used this assembler yet, but after reading some of the documentation, it looks to be quite a nice assembler and growing quickly. It will output several different types of file formats: .COM, .EXE (MZ and PE), .COFF, and output for .DLL type files. (LINK not required) The DOS assembler included requires a TRUE DOS environment. |
| Processor: | P4 | |
| Run OS: | Windows Console, DOS 2.0+ w/386+ | |
| Target: | Windows Console*, DOS | |
| Type: | Freeware (GNU) | |
| Open Source: | Yes (GPL) | |
| Supported: | Yes | |
| Pros: Includes Source Code | ||
| Cons: DOS version won't run in a DOS box | ||
| GoAsm | ||
| File Name: | GoAsm | |
| Location: | http://www.jorgon.freeserve.co.uk/ (200k) | |
| Version: | 0.56.4 |
Compared to many other offers, it is interresting because Jeremy also
wrote and provides a Linker, a Debugger, and several other things of
interrest, that make the whole offer really 'consistant'. This is a Win32 only Assembler released under 2 versions, freeware and shareware. |
| Processor: | P4 ? | |
| Run OS: | Windows | |
| Target: | Windows Console* | |
| Type: | Freeware/Shareware | |
| Open Source: | No | |
| Supported: | Yes | |
| Pros: Includes utilities specific to GoAsm so no other utilities needed. | ||
| Cons: No DOS version :) | ||
| JWasm | ||
| File Name: | JWasm | |
| Location: | http://www.japheth.de/JWasm.html (311k) | |
| Version: | 1.7 | MASM v6 compatible. It also includes source code. |
| Processor: | P4 ? | |
| Run OS: | Windows DOS | |
| Target: | Windows DOS | |
| Type: | Watcom Licensed | |
| Open Source: | Yes | |
| Supported: | Yes | |
| Pros: Includes Source code. Is Masm v6 compatible. | ||
| Cons: Don't know. Haven't used it yet. | ||
| LZASM | ||
| File Name: | LZASMX.ZIP | |
| Location: | http://lzasm.hotbox.ru/ | |
| Version: | 0.56 | This assembler is suppose to be TASM like with modern instruction support. I have not looked at it yet. |
| Processor: | x86 processors | |
| Run OS: | DOS | |
| Target: | DOS | |
| Type: | ||
| Open Source: | ||
| Supported: | By the Author | |
| Pros: | ||
| Cons: | ||
| Magic Assembler | ||
| File Name: | ASM | |
| Location: | http://www.bertgreevenbosch.nl/masm.html | |
| Version: | 1.12 | Nice little 80x86 assembler. The part that caught my eye, was that it would write your code right to the boot sector of a floppy if you asked it to. Hence, I had to add this feature to NBASM :) (Thanks Bert) |
| Processor: | 80x86 | |
| Run OS: | DOS | |
| Target: | DOS | |
| Type: | Freeware | |
| Open Source: | No | |
| Supported: | By the Author | |
| Pros: Writes your boot code to a disk. | ||
| Cons: Only supports 80x86 code. | ||
| Microsoft Macro Assembler | ||
| File Name: | MASM | |
| Location: | http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/express/default.aspx | |
| Version: | 8.xx |
This assembler is somewhat supported by Microsoft and will still create DOS programs if you use a DOS segmented linker. If you adhere to the License Agreement, it is free for download. Output formats: .OBJ (MZ & PE), .COM, .DLL, Windows etc.) This version only runs in a Windows Console. If you can get version 6.11d, it will still run under TRUE DOS. There is version 8.xx out now, so I have heard. The way to get it, legally, is to register and download the Visual Tools package, install, then look under the bin directory. Since Microsoft changes their links so often, the link above may not be valid for very long, or it may point to the wrong place. Find the Visual C++ download package. |
| Processor: | PIII+ | |
| Run OS: | Windows Console* | |
| Target: | Windows Console*, DOS | |
| Type: | Commercial ("Free") | |
| Open Source: | No | |
| Supported: | Somewhat | |
| Pros: Publicly advertised and most used syntax style. | ||
| Cons: From Microsoft. | ||
| Netwide Assembler | ||
| File Name: | NASM | |
| Location: | http://sourceforge.net/projects/nasm | |
| Version: | 2.02 |
NASM is noted for its vast output formats and portability. It is written in C and source code is included. It outputs a.out (linux), ELF, NetBSD/FreeBSD, .COFF, MS .OBJ (16-bit and 32-bit). NASM uses a somewhat different syntax for memory (label/etc.) accessing than most other assemblers. Not to say it is wrong, just a different syntax than MASM, TASM, NBASM, etc. Once you learn how to use it, NASM is a nice assembler. Get the IDE at: http://uk.geocities.com/rob_anderton/ Alternative IDE at: http://www.visual-assembler.pt.vu/ |
| Processor: | PIII+ | |
| Run OS: | Windows Console*, DOS | |
| Target: | DOS Windows-Console* Linux | |
| Type: | Freeware | |
| Open Source: | Yes ((L)GPL) | |
| Supported: | Yes | |
| Pros: Widely used, portable, and many output formats. | ||
| Cons: Slightly different syntax that is difficult to understand for the novice. | ||
| NewBasic Assembler | ||
| File Name: | NBASM | |
| Location: | http://www.frontiernet.net/~fys/newbasic.htm | |
| Version: | 00.26.10 |
NBASM was designed to be easy to use and doesn't need a lot of command line arguments. NBASM outputs DOS 16-bit and 32-bit code for .COM and .SYS file formats as well as the 16-bit .OBJ format, including a linker (NBL) ready for these .OBJ files. The advantage of NBASM, it is always being updated and worked on by requests from its users, including its main user, me :). The disadvantage, it is always being updated and worked on :) It doesn't support all of the most recent instructions, though this version now contains a lot more of them as well as some that I missed before. However, NBASM is very easy to learn and is fully supported by the author. It also includes a disassembler. |
| Processor: | Pentium+ | |
| Run OS: | DOS, Windows Console | |
| Target: | DOS | |
| Type: | Freeware | |
| Open Source: | No | |
| Supported: | Yes | |
| Pros: Easy to learn and use. Has recently been updated and should have x87 capabilities soon (I'm working on it). | ||
| Cons: Not all of the newest instructions are included. SSE, MMX, 3Dnow, etc. But does support most, if not all instructions up to the Pentium. | ||
| NGASM Assembler | ||
| File Name: | NGASM | |
| Location: | http://www.bestdiskrecovery.com/ngasm/index.html | |
| Version: | 1.4b (1.4 beta 2) |
A new assembler with little support, though looks like it will have more support soon. Please note: For some reason the page will load, then it will jump to adverts. |
| Processor: | 80x186 | |
| Run OS: | DOS, Windows Console | |
| Target: | DOS | |
| Type: | Freeware | |
| Open Source: | No | |
| Supported: | Yes | |
| Pros: Simple Syntax. | ||
| Cons: Not all instructions are included, Yet! | ||
| PASS 32 | ||
| Name: | PASS32 | |
| Location: | http://freenet-homepage.de/dieterp/ | |
| Version: | 2.5b2 | . |
| Processor: | ||
| Run OS: | ||
| Target: | ||
| Type: | ||
| Open Source: | ||
| Supported: | ||
| Pros: | ||
| Cons: | ||
| The Specific Assembler | ||
| Name: | SpAsm | |
| Location: | http://betov.free.fr/SpAsm.html | |
| Version: | 4.15d / 2.050a | I have not used this assembler, but the author states (thanks rené) that it doesn't require any red tape, has a vast macro capability, and includes an all in one IDE. No seperate tools required to create executable programs. No installation, just copy and use. Great debugging of .EXE files, since SpAsm places the source right in you .EXE (optional). Fast assembly and integeration of Windows equates, structures, etc. I really think it is worth a look. Really... |
| Processor: | PIII+ | |
| Run OS: | Windows | |
| Target: | Windows | |
| Type: | Freeware (GPL) | |
| Open Source: | Yes (GPL) | |
| Supported: | Yes | |
| Pros: If you are creating Windows GUI apps, this assembler should work very well for you. | ||
| Cons: Not a DOS assembler, afterall, this is a DOS dedicated page :-) | ||
| Borland Turbo Assembler | ||
| Name: | TASM | |
| Location: | http://www.borland.com/downloads/download_cbuilder.html | |
| Version: | 4.01/5.0 | You can register with Borland and now get this assembler for free. Version 4.01 is for DOS, and version 5.0 is for Windows Console Apps. |
| Processor: | Pentium+ (?) | |
| Run OS: | Windows Console*, DOS | |
| Target: | Windows Console*, DOS | |
| Type: | (Registered) Freeware | |
| Open Source: | No | |
| Supported: | No | |
| Pros: Similar to MASM syntax and somewhat widely used. Free if you register. | ||
| Cons: I don't know. | ||
| ValArrow | ||
| File Name: | ASM | |
| Location: | ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/asmutl/valarrow.zip (104k) | |
| Version: | 1.00D |
This assembler produces .COM and .OBJ file formats and includes a Linker to 'link' the .OBJ files to (DOS) .EXE files. Only supports 16-bit code up to the 286. |
| Processor: | 286 | |
| Run OS: | DOS | |
| Target: | DOS | |
| Type: | Public Domain | |
| Open Source: | No | |
| Supported: | No | |
| Pros: Seems to be fairly easy to use and includes a linker. | ||
| Cons: Only supports up to the 286 | ||
| Wolf's Shareware Assembler | ||
| File Name: | WASM | |
| Location: | ftp://ftp.simtel.net/pub/simtelnet/msdos/asmutl/wasm202.zip (375k) | |
| Version: | 2.23 | This is a very easy to use assembler, great for learning with. |
| Processor: | 286 | |
| Run OS: | DOS | |
| Target: | DOS | |
| Type: | Freeware | |
| Open Source: | No | |
| Supported: | Yes | |
| Pros: Easy to use. | ||
| Cons: Only supports the 80x286 | ||
| Footnotes | ||
| * - Could be used for Windows GUI apps | ||
| - All Targets are considered Intel for this sites purposes. Some assemblers may include AMD or others. | ||
If you have an assembler, or know of an assembler that you would like listed here, please let me know.
A friend told me that http://www.openwatcom.org/ contains an assembler within the C package. I have not looked at it, though I have heard a little about it.
A few IDEs for assembly:
A very well put together Visual Assembler
Visual Assembler -- An Assembler IDE for Windows
Basic
http://www.rtrussell.co.uk/ BBC Basic for Windows.
http://www.xbasic.org/ Links and resources for the XBasic programming language project for Windows and Linux, which is freeware and open-source.
http://www.worldofspectrum.org/sinclairbasic/
Liberty Basic In my opinion, the author has done a good job with this one.
TrueBasic
Free Basic
The Free Basic Project
PowerBasic Home Page
'Similar' to Quick Basic
BASIC compiler, over 80 BASICA/QBASIC commands (filename: asic500.zip) (327k)
Have not looked at it yet.
Bywater BASIC Interpreter 1.10 (filename: bwb110e.zip) (70k)
Find filename bwb110s.zip on the simtel mirror for the source code to this interpreter.
QBASIC 1.1 (the Basic Interpreter included with DOS 5.0)
- If you have Win9x, look on your Win9x CD, under the d:\OTHER\OLDMSDOS directory.
or
- Download the file explained here and execute it in an EMPTY directory
http://www.qbcafe.net/english/index.html?dl_pages/compiler/index.html~qbc_main is another place to get qbasic.
C
Watcom C - an "Open" C compiler. Includes source.
Borland Turbo C - Go to http://community.borland.com/museum. You must register, which is free, but then you can download the software.
PACIFIC C
Have not looked at it yet.
The DJGPP (Delorie) Home Page
Includes Compiler, IDE, Assembler, source code, etc.
Home of CC386 - A 32 bit C compiler for DOS/DPMI
COBOL
The Tiny Cobol Project
ForTran
Watcom Fortran - an "Open" Fortran compiler.
Fortran-77 compiler/linker/debugger ver 1.3b (filename: bcf7713b.zip) (181k)
Pascal
Borland Turbo Pascal - First go here, and then log in. Once there, you can download your pick of two versions.
TMT Pascal Compiler
- Has support for 32-bit DOS, OS/2, and Windows9x. Free restricted compiler only restricted to 1.5meg code, and free demo for all platforms.
Perl
http://www.perl.com/pub
XPL0
The distribution of XPL0 can be found here.
News Groups that I subscribe to (for programming info):
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