Dev-C++ VGA mode problems...

I read a tutorial on entering VGA mode without a BGI file (I don't really know what that is or if I have one so I read it) and it said to enter VGA mode put this in the code:

Code:

void SetMCGA() {
  _AX = 0x0013;
  geninterrupt (0x10);
}

And i'm wondering if I need to include a header file (like iostream or something) because it gives me the error: "_AX undeclared (first use this function)" If so, where can I get it or does it come with Dev-C++?

I don't know really what to do about it. I've been coding in C++ for about... 1 1/4 days now, and I can make simple text based games and understand functions ok. I want to do graphical programming, though. I used to code in BASIC and DiNGS Game Basic. I use Dev-C++ with a standard Hewlett Pakard Pavilion with windows 98, if it makes any difference. Any help would be great, thanks in advance.

I think you need a library, or inline assembly. (With 1.25 days experience, inline assembly will be hell.) _AX was undefined because all variables need to be defined by you or a header file you include.

As for doing graphics in Dev-C++ (under DOS), I don't know how. You can write windows programs with Dev-C++, though.

Great... now I have to go to google.com and search for inline assembely. I've seen games that look like they run in DOS, oh well. If I do that in a windows aplication instead will it work if I include windows.h, or am I still screwed, lol. Thanks for the help, man Game Basic was easy (in comparison) if only they a freeware 3d version.

Dev-C++ cannot use interrupts, and I think getting into mode13h is impossible with Dev-C++ since this is not a Dos compiler.

Both are correct. If you want to write Dos games, get DJGPP.

But I suggest you rather learn windows programming and then DirectX or OpenGL, it's more, uh, future-oriented

Thanks, but I thought a console application was a DOS program. Hmmm, I don't think it matters now, though, because I've decided to use Allegro. It has lots of good functions for GFX, or so I've heard, but I haven't goten it to work yet. Anyway, thanks for the help.

No, the Win32 console is a window that provides a method to use stdin, stdout and stderr by displaying the text and reading from the keyboard. Nothing more.

cmd.exe in WinNT is a console application that provides a DOS-like interface by supporting the same commands as the DOS command line (e.g. "dir").

However, while a DOS application is also run in a console window, the "console application" you can create by linking as subsystem:console is still a real Win32 exe file. It runs as a real 32-bit application, fully controlled by the OS.

Win32 exes all start with a header that looks like a complete DOS exe that prints "This application requires Win32" or something and exits. This is why they can't even do bad things in DOS

And when you do get a DOS compiler, please, please, please do not use geninterrupt.

It leaves the registers in very unpredictable states which can cause loads of problems. Use the int86() and int86x() set of functions. I don't remember if DJGPP uses these or not.

I'm so rusty on this DOS stuff cuz I've almost totally switched over to DirectX. Sorry fellow DJGPPers. I've failed you again.

DJGPP uses
_go32_set_interrupt_handler()
or something like that. In the DPMI32 mode anyway.

I use Dev-C++, and I'm pretty sure that Allegro will work good, but I can't get it to work, it gives me errors... About 118 errors. I can't fix it, or I don't know how I mean. If anyone knows how to set up Allegro for Dev-C++ (I have the latest stable beta versoin) please explain it to me. I installed it (it being Allegro) correctly and put the "-lellag" or whatever in the linker list, but it still won't work. Thanks, once again.

edit:

Never mind. I decided to download SDL instead, and so far it works great, I got the fullscreen thing going and it compiles fine. Which is farther than I ever got with Allegro; not putting down Allegro of course, I'm sure it works good, I'm pretty sure it was all my fault. Anyway, thanks for all the help.