which programming language should i learn to program for ms dos

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I'm working on a project involving MS-DOS, but the only engine I've found is Turbo C, which I can't even run sample code from the creators themselves. I'd like to find a 3D or 2D engine that I can use in a programming language that doesn't require me to search for a tutorial from 2007
 
I would guess C or C++ would be your best bet since that's what a lot of DOS programs were coded in back then. Check out Open Watcom (which still has active support) for your IDE. I don't really know much regarding engines though.
 
Then you would need the DJGPP compiler to work on a modern OS for modern hardware to even do whatever you want. My common knowledge is "use Allegro for 2D and use Mesa for 3D". Overall C and C++ are your friends for game development.
 
Hmm, I can't recall any famous DOS engines from back in the day other than Doom engine, Quake engine and BUILD, all of which are open source these days but probably not quite what you're looking for.

I found some funky things though: here and here
 
  • Learn C if you want to make real DOS programs or games.
  • Use Assembly if you want tiny, fast, low-level control.
  • Try Turbo Pascal if you want something simple and fun.
  • Use DOSBox to test your stuff.
    Or you can go ahead and use C++
 
Last edited:
Learn C.

C++ and/or Assembly if you hate yourself.
 
Then you would need the DJGPP compiler to work on a modern OS for modern hardware to even do whatever you want. My common knowledge is "use Allegro for 2D and use Mesa for 3D". Overall C and C++ are your friends for game development.
where should i download?
 
where should i download?
Well overall starter links:



You may bump into links that end up in 404 so you need "Wayback Machine" for it. For example: https://web.archive.org/web/20020616072142/http://www.grandgent.com/gfoot/vivace/

So if you find some inaccessible useful link search that link on this to try to access snapshots of the page: https://web.archive.org/



And google "DJGPP dos game development" or something to find tutorials and stuff.

You wanna develop a DOS game but it would be realistic to find old hardware and stuff to develop them on but you can use "modern" ways to develop a DOS game on modern stuff which is what your primary goal should be. That's where DJGPP comes in.

Test the game on this: https://www.dosbox.com/download.php?main=1

Good luck, soldier. <o lol
 

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