Question about creating an executable for DOS \ VOGONS

Question about creating an executable for DOS

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First post, by Cursed Derp

Posted on 2025-01-24, 16:21

Cursed Derp Offline

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Heyyyo,
I am interested in creating a launcher that runs in DOS for a game. I would like to start it out as a batch file as they are relatively easy to find information on and edit. I would then want to convert it to an exe file that serves the same function and runs in DOS. This is for the purpose of making the file and its functions non-editable and more versatile as far as storing and copying. Is there a way to convert a batch file to a DOS executable? And would this process maintain all the features and functionality of the original batch file (menus, ability to run other programs and make file changes)?
Any insights, information, advice, or answers would be appreciated and awesome.
Thanks

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Reply 1 of 6, by konc

Posted on 2025-01-24, 16:50

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Cursed Derp wrote on 2025-01-24, 16:21:

Is there a way to convert a batch file to a DOS executable?

Yes, there is. Search for BAT2EXE and similarly, there are modern and really old utilities. Your mileage may vary with the more advanced/complex batch file functionality and the different utilities so try a couple.

Reply 2 of 6, by Cursed Derp

Posted on 2025-01-24, 16:53

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konc wrote on 2025-01-24, 16:50:

Cursed Derp wrote on 2025-01-24, 16:21:

Is there a way to convert a batch file to a DOS executable?

Yes, there is. Search for BAT2EXE and similarly, there are modern and really old utilities. Your mileage may vary with the more advanced/complex batch file functionality and the different utilities so try a couple.

Thanks for the quick and helpful reply. BAT2EXE looks promising and I'll try out different utilities and settings. I'll try a basic menu for opening different files and changing files.

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Reply 3 of 6, by wierd_w

Posted on 2025-01-24, 20:25

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Failing that, you can accomplish this with QB7.1, as it has a compiler, and calling a dos exe from QB is pretty straight forward.

Reply 4 of 6, by Jo22

Posted on 2025-01-25, 18:43

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Turbo Basic and Power Basic work, too.
Use "SHELL" command to issue DOS command if you want.

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Reply 5 of 6, by Cursed Derp

Posted on 2025-01-25, 19:22

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wierd_w wrote on 2025-01-24, 20:25:

Failing that, you can accomplish this with QB7.1, as it has a compiler, and calling a dos exe from QB is pretty straight forward.

Good point and thanks. If I'm working with dos programs I should probably learn quick basic

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Reply 6 of 6, by Cursed Derp

Posted on 2025-01-25, 19:23

Cursed Derp Offline

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Jo22 wrote on 2025-01-25, 18:43:

Turbo Basic and Power Basic work, too.
Use "SHELL" command to issue DOS command if you want.

I'll definitely try those too and thanks for the information

I am as smooth as a gravy train with flaming biscuit wheels.

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