Date: 22 Jun 93 13:18:38 EDT
From: "Mark T. Pflaging" <70233 DOT 1552 AT CompuServe DOT COM>
To: DGJPP list <djgpp AT sun DOT soe DOT clarkson DOT edu>
Subject: Have pity on a neophyte

	Hi!
	I am trying to get started with djgpp and I am having some 
problems.  I hope these questions are not too irritating to the people of 
this list.  I have been programming for a long time (over 10 years) so 
surely I am capable of using this compiler.  I just can't get it to do 
anything for me.
	Is there supposed to be some sort of "link" utility that comes with 
this package?  "gcc.exe" seems to be trying to shell out to "ld.exe", 
however, "ld.exe" is not included anywhere in the "minimum .ZIP files 
required" list indicated in the FAQ.  Is "gcc.exe" supposed to do the link 
itself?  If so what is the option to use?  If not where do I get this 
"ld.exe"?  I have searched my Simtel20 MSDOS CD-ROM there is no sign of a 
PD "ld.exe".  Also there are numerous references to "ndmake".  I have 
version 4.5 from 1988, is this appropriate?  If not, where can I get an 
updated version?
	I would also like some help with compiling a sample program.  The 
"samples" directory contains a few samples but they are pretty lame.  I 
tried to compile "compress.c" and it took like 10 minutes!  Is this 
correct?  The file is only 42k!  I have a 486/33 with 8 meg & a fast 300 
meg hard drive.  I have it set up so that 6 meg RAM is extended memory.  I 
do not have qemm or 386max or any other junk like that.  I took emm386 out 
of my config.sys.  I do have a hard drive cache set up with "SMARTDRV.EXE", 
could this be causing the problem?  Also I am using DOS 5, is that a 
problem?  (DOS is loaded high).  I tried "sort.cc" and it compiled quickly, 
but could not get it to link due to the problem above. 
 Maybe someone could point me in the direction of a more interesting sample 
program, preferably a multi-file one written in C++.  I have lots of C++ 
experience.
	I am coming from the world of Borland C++ and maybe it has spoiled 
me a little bit.  About 5 years ago I used to do everything in Emacs and 
loved it, but circumstances have prevented me from using C++ in a Unix 
environment (I'm sure you corporate programmers know what I mean.)  So I 
switched to Borland and maybe I've gotten spoiled by their IDE 
(programmer's editor / compiler / debugger).  What do djgpp people do?  Is 
there a common "prgrammer's platform" like Emacs for PCs that would be 
analogous to the Borland thing?  Also, what about "help" files?  Do I 
really have to wade through a slew of flat ascii files?  I got sick of 
Borland because my executables constantly run out of memory even though I 
have an 8 meg machine.  The 640k barrier, etc, etc, can't afford an 
extender, etc, etc.  Also the idea of a free compiler would be great for 
some of the things I want to develop.  So I thought I would give djgpp a 
try.  The whole FSF attitude always appealed to me anyway.
	I know that for some the answer is to just install Unix on a PC.  I 
don't want to do that because I need to develop stuff that will run on a 
LARGE base of computers.  Your average Joe Sixpack could care less about 
tar and ls and X Windows, etc.  Once I get my other problems solved, I want 
to know if it's possible to access other VGA modes with this compiler.  
Also what kind of graphics work has been done.  I have seen IRIT, is there 
any other interactive 3D work going on out there?
	Thanks in advance to any and all who reply.  Have pity on me, I 
generally don't post "stupid questions" to mailing lists but I don't know 
anyone else using this compiler. I'll try not to be a nuisance in the 
future.

	-Mark Pflaging