From:	"Damian Yerrick" <NOSP AT Musenet@pineight.8m.com>
Newsgroups:	comp.os.msdos.djgpp
References:	<8176ml$or0$1 AT portraits DOT wsisiz DOT edu DOT pl>
Subject:	Re: fprintf() and using under graphic modes
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NNTP-Posting-Date:	Sun, 21 Nov 1999 06:09:19 GMT
Distribution:	world
Date:	Sun, 21 Nov 1999 06:09:19 GMT
To:	djgpp AT delorie DOT com
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Reply-To:	djgpp AT delorie DOT com

"Chaos" <chengin AT alpha DOT net DOT pl> wrote in message
news:8176ml$or0$1 AT portraits DOT wsisiz DOT edu DOT pl...
> Hi
>
> I've been recently writing 2D video game.
> Nothing really big, but for my pleasure.

If you want to use graphics, use Allegro.

> VESA is used pretty much in my code,

VESA is buggy. Allegro successfully works around the bugs.

> so I was wondering if there is easy (and fast!) method to print
> some text message on the LFB or VRAM (using bank
> switching). My first thought was to make it with fprintf()
> and other *printf functions. I was surpprised, that fprintf
> put a very nice text prompt in 640*480*256c mode (0x101).
>
> Now i'm wondering if I can do it safelly. Can I stick with printing text
> messages such as timer or player name using only printf-family functions.
> Are there any limitations in using those functions in graphics modes?

They don't work on all cards.

None of VESA works when compiling for M$ Windows or X.
Coding for the Allegro Platform is more portable.
http://www.talula.demon.co.uk/allegro/
And if you're concerned about EXE size, there's UPX.
http://www.nexus.hu/upx/


Damian Yerrick

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