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-----
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