gof@crash.cts.com (Jerry Fountain) (01/24/88)
I got to take a look at this book tonight (compliments of B Dalton) and it looks to be the definitive guide to programming MS-DOS machines. The key factor that gives this book a lot of credibility is the fact that they *document* all the 'trick' of the previously undocumented programming practices (for example, all the requirements of TSR's including how to work with MS-DOS. They do go to the trouble of pointing out that these special features may disappear at any time in future releases) Now if only I can find it for less than list ($134.95) but then again, it is a hardbound, 1600 page doorstop. Anyone have any comments on the book? How about a vendor that will be selling it at a good discount. FYI: TABLE OF CONTENTS I. The Development of MS-DOS II. Programming in the MS-DOS Environment A. Structure of MS-DOS An Introduction to MS-DOS The Components of MS-DOS MS-DOS Storage Devices B. Programming for MS-DOS Structure of an Application Program Character Device Input and Output Interrupt-Driven Communications File and Record Input and Output Disk Directories and Volume Labels Memory Management The MS-DOS EXEC Function C. Customizing MS-DOS Terminate-and-Stay-Resident Utilities Exception Handlers Hardware Interrupt Handlers Writing MS-DOS Filters Installable Device Drivers D. Directions of MS-DOS Writing Applications for Upward Compatibility Windows E. Programming Tools Debugging in the MS-DOS Environment Object Modules The MS-DOS Linker III. User Commands Version-specific information on each of the 90 standard user commands; includes every error message, return codes, and newly-created, practical examples. Similar information for ANSI.SYS, BATCH files, CONFIG.SYS, and EDLIN. IV. Programming Utilities Version-specific information on these specialized utilities: CREF, EXE2BIN, EXEMOD, EXEPACK, LIB, LINK, MAKE, MAPSYM, MASM, and Microsoft Debuggers including DEBUG, SYMDEB, and CodeView. V. System Function Calls More than 100 function calls are detailed along with version-specific information, error messages, return codes, and scores of C-callable assembly language routines. Appendixes: A. MS-DOS Version 3.3 B. Critical Error Codes C. Extended Error Codes D. ASCII Character Set and IBM Extended Character Set E. EBCDIC Character Set F. ANSI.SYS Key and Extended Key Codes G. File Control Block (FCB) Structure H. Program Segment Prefix (PSP) Structure I. File Allocation Table (FAT) J. 8086/80286/80386 Instruction Sets K. Numeric Conversions L. Common MS-DOS Filename Extensions M. Segmented (New) .EXE Header File Format N. Intel .HEX File Format O. 8086/8088 Software Compatibility Considerations P. .OBJ Module Format Utility Q. IBM PC BIOS Calls Indexes: Subject, Commands and System Calls Ugh, I hate typing things like this! I didn't look at all the areas (1600 pages in 5 minutes, *right*) but what I did see looked professional and well laid out. From what I saw I am going to pick one up (as cheap as possible) as it holds most of the information I need in one place, INDEXED. While not a book you can take with you to read during lunch while relaxing on the beach it does look like a good desk reference for the happy hacker. I would like to hear from anyone else who takes a look at it and has an opinion (one way or another). -- -----Jerry Fountain----- UUCP: {hplabs!hp-sdd,sdcsvax,nosc}!crash!pnet01!gof ARPA: crash!gof@nosc.mil MAIL: 523 Glen Oaks Dr., Alpine, Calif. 92001 INET: gof@pnet01.CTS.COM