Digital Research has released DR DOS 6.0. This latest version has several significant new features, including advanced memory management and disk caching, password protection for files and directories, and on-the-fly compression. For instance, using Memory-MAX memory management, DR DOS 6.0 automatically loads itself--including buffers, device drivers, memory-resident programs, and network drivers--into upper and high memory, freeing up to 628K of main memory for applications.
The DiskMAX compression feature provides a file compression system that can be optionally invoked to increase disk space by 100 percent or more. Also present is a disk cache based on Super PC Kwick (from Multisoft), which helps DOS and Windows applications run faster by keeping data in memory. Data to be written to disk is buffered in memory, resulting in faster write operations. DiskMAX can also defragment hard disks, safely reorganizing files into contiguous blocks.
TaskMAX is a task switcher that allows you to load up to 20 applications simultaneously and switch between them. It can run both from the operating system's graphical shell and the command line through a fully configurable hotkey selection. DR DOS 6.0 can use extended or expanded memory to speed task switching.
Additionally, Version 6.0 enables you to protect files, subdirectories, and disk partitions, or even entire environments through a power-on password function and software keyboard lock; to recover accidentally erased files; and to consult online documentation via a full hypertext facility.
DR DOS 6.0 costs $99; upgrades are $24.95. Reader service no. 20.
Digital Research Inc. 70 Garden Court Monterey, CA 93942 408-646-6016
P. J. Plauger's latest book, The Standard C Library, is now available from Prentice Hall. Offering comprehensive treatment of the ANSI and ISO standards for the C Library, the volume features practical advice on use of all 15 header files in the standard C library. Each chapter is devoted to an individual section of the library, including topics such as function use, implementation specifics, testing methods, and complete code for the ANSI standard C library.
The book also covers library design and implementation; the concepts, design issues, and trade-offs associated with library building; and internationalization issues and writing locale-independent programs.
The Standard C Library is $38 (ISBN 0-13-838012-0). Reader service no. 21.
Prentice Hall Order Dept. 200 Old Tappan Rd. Old Tappan, NJ 07675 201-767-5937
QuickC for Windows is the new Windows applications development system from Microsoft that does not require use of the Windows SDK. It includes an interface drawing and code generation tool, a C compiler, an integrated debugger, an editor, and resource tools such as an image editor, a dialog editor, and a resource compiler. All these tools run from within an integrated Windows-hosted environment and are incorporated in a Toolbar to simplify selection of development tasks such as launching the building of a program, setting breakpoints, and single-stepping through code.
Also included in the package are QuickCASE:W and the QuickWin library. QuickCASE:W simplifies the interface-building process: You can select standard interface parts and it will generate the C code required for the interface and the related files. The code regeneration technology in QuickCASE:W lets you move back and forth between QuickCASE:W and the QuickC for Windows environment, hand-customizing C code and making visual changes, and have all changes automatically incorporated after the C code is generated again.
QuickC offers easy conversion of existing DOS applications to the Windows environment through two different channels: With the QuickWin runtime library you can convert DOS C programs directly to Windows programs in minutes, just by relinking the program; otherwise you can change a DOS application into a Windows DLL, then build a Windows application interface with QuickCASE:W. This is convenient if you wish to use different languages for different tasks.
QuickC for Windows includes complete documentation for the environment, Windows APIs, the C language, and C runtime libraries, and is priced at $199 ($89.95 for registered users of selected Microsoft products). Reader service no. 22.
Microsoft One Microsoft way Redmond, WA 98052-6399 206-882-8080
The Whitewater Group has released Actor 4.0, a new version of its object-oriented programming platform. The new object-oriented interface to SQL lets database developers use Windows-based OOP. DLLs to uniformly access Paradox, dBase, and Excel are provided, and for an additional fee you can purchase them for SQL Server, DB2, Oracle, and OS/2 Extended Edition Database.
Other enhancements to Version 4.0 include an improved ObjectWindows, the class library that facilitates quick and easy creation of Windows interfaces and safe multiple inheritance via protocols. The protocols keep all shared data in one location, making code maintenance easier and eliminating unexpected dependencies. Data encapsulation is preserved because protocols cannot directly modify data variables--they request their subscribing classes to make the changes instead. There is a Protocol Browser for creating, editing, and tracking protocols.
Two versions are available: Actor 4.0 retails for $249 (upgrades $75); Actor 4.0 Professional costs $495. (Upgrades from previous professional versions are $75, and from previous Actor versions, $195.) DLLs for access to DB2, Oracle, SQL Server, and OS/2 Extended Edition Database are priced at $395. Reader service no. 23.
The Whitewater Group 1800 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201 708-328-3800
Now shipping from Watcom is the C8.5/386 Optimizing Compiler and Tools, an ANSI and SAA-compatible, 32-bit development system for DOS and Windows. The package features a royalty-free 32-bit DOS extender and a true 32-bit Windows GUI and DLL development kit--debugger, profiler, linker, make utility, and more--enabling development, debugging, and royalty-free distribution of 32-bit applications for DOS and Windows. The C8.5/386 supports such 80x86 environments as Windows and 32-bit DOS extenders from Rational, Phar Lap, and Ergo; Microsoft language extensions to simplify porting 16-bit code are also included.
Rational Systems' DOS/4GW 32-bit DOS extender is included in the package and supports DPMI, VCPI, and XMS standards. C8.5/386's list price is $995; it is offered initially at $795. Reader service no. 24.
Watcom 415 Phillip St. Waterloo, Ontario Canada N2L 3X2 800-265-4555
The Numerical Algorithms Group's Fortran 90 compiler, which supports the new ISO Fortran 90 standard, is now shipping. The compiler is portable and provides reusable compiler technology. Compilation is achieved in a four-pass process, the final of which, the code generation pass, generates K&R C code. As a result, the compiler will be available in an increasing number of computing environments, allowing users to migrate their programs. The generated executable can perform well, by relying on the optimization that is built into the host system's native C compiler.
The NAG compiler is available for SUN 3s and 4s and HP/Apollo workstations. License fees begin at $895; academic discounts available. Reader service no. 25.
Numerical Algorithms Group 1400 Opus Place, Suite 200 Downers Grove, IL 60515 708-971-2337
PC-X Windows is the new X-Window server from Intelligent Decisions for PCs and compatibles running MS-DOS. It allows you to use your PC as a remote graphics terminal, thus taking advantage of inexpensive PC hardware when adding new screens to an existing network.
The server uses a VGA or Super-VGA graphics card with Ethernet or Serial Line IP (SLIP) and supports up to 600x480 or 800x600 resolution graphics. PC-X Windows implements the full X11R4 Protocol. It also runs in protected mode.
The price is $295; complete precon-figured PC-X stations, including 14-inch color monitor and 40-Mbyte hard disk, start at $1495. Reader service no. 26.
Intelligent Decisions Inc. 536 Weddell Dr., Suite 2P Sunnyvale, CA 94098 408-734-3730
Ted Gruber Software has released Fastgraph, a graphics library for DOS-based PC systems that includes more than 150 highly optimized routines. Fastgraph features video-mode detection and initialization; colors, virtual colors, and palettes; graphics primitives, a redefinable world space coordinate system; hardware and software character fonts; physical and virtual video page management; image display facilities; animation; special effects; keyboard, mouse, and joystick control; and sound effects and music.
The library is written in assembly language and each routine has been handoptimized. It supports VGA, EGA, MCGA, CGA, HGC, and Tandy 1000 graphics modes as well as the standard color and monochrome text modes. The documentation includes more than 120 example programs.
Jake Star of CompuTeach in New Haven, Conn., noted that Fastgraph was the fastest of all the libraries he checked. "It supports the most modes in the best manner possible, it's easy to program, has good documentation, and the tech support is great," he commented.
At $149, Fastgraph supports Microsoft C and QuickC, Turbo C and C++, QuickBasic, and Microsoft Fortran; includes libraries for small, medium, and large memory models. Reader service no. 27.
Ted Gruber Software P.O. Box 13408 Las Vegas, NV 89112 702-735-1980
New from Visitech is the GraphLink printer graphics library, which includes over 100 routines to build and print graphics at the maximum resolution of dot-matrix and laser printers, instead of the traditional screen dump.
Features include a screen capture module that allows you to print high-resolution graphics from existing screen graphics and programs; two types of fonts--stroked and filled-outline--that can be scaled to any size, drawn at any angle, and rendered in italics and bold-face; a mouse-based font editor; and printer drivers for various laser, inkjet, and dot-matrix printers.
GraphLink is available for Microsoft C, QuickC, and Turbo C++ and C. The list price is $145. Reader service no. 28.
Visitech Software 7936 Haymarket Raleigh, NC 27615 919-676-8474
The HALO Image File Format Library (HIFFL) from Media Cybernetics is now available for both DOS and Windows 3.0. HIFFL is a library of functions that allow applications to read and write bit-mapped image files in a variety of formats: TIFF, PCX, BMP, and CUT. Because HIFFL is independent of any graphics library, such libraries are not necessary to produce applications that are compatible with many scanning, video capture, image processing, and desktop publishing products.
HIFFL for DOS is distributed as an object library, supports Borland and Microsoft C compilers, and costs $249; the Windows version, a DLL, costs $349. Development licenses and source code are available. Reader service no. 29.
Media Cybernetics 8484 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20910 301-495-3305
CommonBase is the new C++ framework for object-oriented development of database applications from Glockenspiel (distributed by ImageSoft). It provides a common C++ class interface over a wide choice of ISAM libraries and SQL databases, increasing developer productivity for Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Gupta SQLBase, and Coromandel's Integra SQL databases.
Applications are ported between databases by relinking. This portable interface allows you to initially write applications using an inexpensive ISAM package, and later link them to an industry standard SQL database without changing the source code.
The CommonBase C++ PC version costs $499; $999 with source code. Non-PC version: $999 without, of $1999 with source code. Reader service no. 30.
ImageSoft Inc. 2 Haven Ave. Port Washington, NY 11050 800-245-8840 or 516-767-9067
The first commercial implementation of the 386BSD project, the development of which has been documented in DDJ since January 1991, will soon be available. Berkeley Software Design Inc. (BSDI) has announced BSD/386, a UNIX-compatible operating system for the i386/486 architectures. This is a complete system, with no optional modules, and includes full TCP/IP and OSI networking, a reimplementation of Sun's Network File System, X-Window System Version 11 Release 5, text processing software, POSIX functionality, GNU ANSI C, and C++.
Complete source is provided for the system as well as the binaries in QIC-150 or QIC-25 tape format. The introductory price will be $999. Reader service no. 31.
Berkeley Software Design Inc. 3110 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 580 Falls Church, VA 22042 800-ITS-UNIX or 703-876-5040
Copyright © 1991, Dr. Dobb's Journal