First post, by keenmaster486
- Rank
- l33t
I'm interested in getting into real mode 16-bit DOS development, for 8088/8086/286 platforms, with everything done natively on those platforms i.e. no cross-compilation. Not that I have anything against cross-compilation, but I want to get the experience of developing on those old systems.
So far in my research I have found OpenWatcom, which seems to be the latest thing that targets 16-bit DOS.
But here is what I'm looking for:
- C (or C++) language (probably with support for inline assembly)
- Good documentation
- Compiles for real mode 16 bit DOS without adding bloat, produces fast, efficient, and compatible executables
- Good IDE for DOS available
- Doesn't take more than several seconds to compile on an 8088/286/386 (is this realistic?)
Can anyone tell me whether OpenWatcom is the tool that best fits these criteria, or whether something else such as Borland Turbo C would serve me better?
I have trouble finding good IDEs for DOS. I prefer minimalist style, as in "just the text editor and file tree, please" but I don't know if that's something that existed for DOS.
World's foremost 486 enjoyer.