Autoexec.bat

I just downloaded a free C++ compiler that claimed that doom was written using it.

but it wants me to modify autoexec.bat

by adding these lines

set PATH=C:\DJGPP\BIN;%PATH%
set DJGPP=C:\DJGPP\DJGPP.ENV

what does that do?

I used to have a programming language called euphoria that did the same thing....
why is it there?

[Sophtware]

I Have a VC++ Compiler and it has that same djgpp stuff in it but i dont need to use it with my autoexec. ...dunno maybe it you need it to just initalize it?

[HarryW]

I'm not sure what DJGPP is. PATH is fairly obvious, you've probably already got a SET PATH= line. That will add a directory to your default path, which doesn't make much difference.

What's in C:\DJGPP? Anything interesting? Whatever it is it's something that's been installed with the compiler I expect.

I wouldn't worry about adding the lines anyway, I can't think how they could possibly do any harm.

I know that, but I am just wondering why I need to add them.

[HarryW]

Well if doom was written in it I'm assuming that it's not Windows based, yes? Well.... why wouldn't it?

The Path is needed for the bin...binary...files most C++ compilers rely on. Persumably the standard C libraries are also stored in there...have a look for stdio.h if you want to verify this...most C++ installs include the standard C libraries. Not sure about the other thing though. Does this contain the actually IDE and compiler and linker?

The path is needed to allow the C++ process to find the required compiler/help/linker etc program binary files which you will need in order to write and compile your apps.

Just checked this PC, (Borland C++ compiler) it also adds a lib subfolder to the path.

[noone]

The path line is added so you can run the compiler from any directory without having to type the full path to the executable.
The other line is just a system variable that the compiler needs to work I think.

Generally the IDE/Edit also needs this to find the standard libraries, help, etc else it will fall over.

[noone]

Maybe Dennis is too young to remember the "good" old days of DOS. I on the other hand will probably never forget it, no matter how hard I try
Interesting too since I'm probably only a few years older then Denis.

well, I am 13, but I didnt get a computer till I was seven, that was a macintosh, I didnt get a windows computer till I was 11...
eek!
I have learned fast...

and I have used dos quite alot but I wouldnt want it as the only OS on the machine, that would suck.
once I tried using a qbasic compiler(dos) and i couldnt even figure out how to type the code in...

[HarryW]

I'm 18 and I've used DOS for about 10 years. I guess I wouldn't want to be without Windows really any more, but things were much simpler back then. Hated Win95 when it first came out. Mind you you don't have to worry about getting enough fricking conventional memory for a game to work any more, for which I am truly thankful.

[noone]

Ya but do you think you would have known as much as you do now if DOS games where easy to install?
Getting some of them to work with the soundcard was more like black magic than anything else.

[HarryW]

It's a fair point. Then there was EMS and/or XMS to sort out.

I still have no idea how the computer determined how much conventional memory you had left after boot-up, sometimes you just couldn't get it above 550k, even with everything loaded high and no smartdrive, doskey or anything.

Personally I still use the DOS prompt instead of the windows 'find' tool, and for copying and stuff. It's so much quicker, if you know the commands.

[parksie]

As for soundcards and black magic, I was just grateful I had a proper sound blaster...friends of mine had so much trouble with ultrasounds and the like. At least the card makers woke up and started doing emulation of the standard.