From: j DOT aldrich6 AT genie DOT com
Message-Id: <199607291514.AA148553251@relay1.geis.com>
Date: Sun, 28 Jul 96 22:12:00 UTC 0000
To: randolp1 AT ix DOT netcom DOT com
Cc: djgpp AT delorie DOT com
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Subject: Re: DJGPP v2

Reply to message 2986080    from RANDOLP1 AT IX DOT N on 07/26/96 11:03PM


>How compatible is djgpp program sources to borland c++ source?
>i mean, what version is djgpp equivilant to borland's c++?
>how much are they different?
>I just spent the last 3 hours DLing djgpp cause i heard it was good and
>have a VERY old version of borland c++ (version 3.1).

Answers, in brief:  Very compatible, it isn't, and it depends on what
you're trying to do with it.

Long answer:  DJGPP is, first and foremost, an Unix-based compiler.
It will accept almost any C code written for almost any compiler, assuming
that it is ANSI compatible.  There are certain "Borland-isms" that do not
have DJGPP equivalents, but for the most part you'll find that the core
of your code will work.

DJGPP is also primarily a command-line based compiler.  It doesn't
have a native IDE or a native editor; you have to provide these yourself.
If you're not comfortable with this environment, several DJGPP users
have contributed some excellent programming interfaces, the best
of which is RHIDE (pointers to which can be found in the FAQ).
Warning:  RHIDE is still in beta, so everything in it isn't completed yet.  :)

As for what's different, the biggest part is simply that DJGPP is designed
for flat-model, 32-bit protected-mode programming.  Almost every
aspect of hardware and low-level interface is substantially different in
DPMI.  The FAQ provides an excellent tutorial on the things you'll need
to know for this sort of advanced stuff.

In general, I'd say that DJGPP is the best compiler in existence in terms
of overall speed, compatibility, and power.  It does take a little bit of
work to get used to, though.  :)

Lots of luck!

John