Thread: Such a newb at this... need some help

  1. #1
    Programming n00b mdphoenix's Avatar
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    Unhappy Such a newb at this... need some help

    I haven't programmed C in years. I used to program BASIC pretty well, but that's been a while as well. I need to do something simple, and I've asked a few people on an auto forum I'm on if they could do it for me. No one has taken the task. So it looks like I need to get back into this so I can accomplish the task myself. Who knows, this could be good for me, right?

    I need to query the CPU for the CPU-ID string "name string" and display it. BUT, I need it to happen in DOS. As in, booting to a bootable floppy.

    Problem is... I don't know where to start. I don't remember how to even START a C program.

    Any help?

  2. #2
    the Great ElastoManiac's Avatar
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    get a compiler.
    prehaps DevC++
    lu lu lu I've got some apples lu lu lu You've got some too lu lu lu Let's make some applesauce Take off our clothes and lu lu lu

  3. #3
    Frequently Quite Prolix dwks's Avatar
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    This is the C++ forum.

    Dev-C++.

    BUT, I need it to happen in DOS. As in, booting to a bootable floppy.
    Are you sure? Usually the "DOS" found in Start->Run->"cmd"/"command" will work just fine. Or you can run your programs straight from Dev-C++.

    Download Dev-C++ and try this sample program:
    Code:
    #include <stdio.h>
    
    int main(void) {
        printf("Hello, World!\n");
        getchar();
        return 0;
    }
    I need to query the CPU for the CPU-ID string "name string" and display it.
    The CPU? Never mind. Try this program:
    Code:
    #include <stdio.h>
    
    int main(void) {
        char name[80];
        printf("Enter your name: ");
        fgets(name, sizeof(name), stdin);
        printf("Hello, %s", name);
        return 0;
    }
    (That leaves the newline on name, but it should give you a general idea.)
    dwk

    Seek and ye shall find. quaere et invenies.

    "Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it." -- Alan Perlis
    "Testing can only prove the presence of bugs, not their absence." -- Edsger Dijkstra
    "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -- John Powell


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  4. #4
    Programming n00b mdphoenix's Avatar
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    Yes, I'm absolutely sure I mean DOS. As in, booting to a floppy with IO.SYS, MSDOS.SYS and COMMAND.COM on it.

    I have Borland C++ 5. Will that make a DOS executable once I get this right?

  5. #5
    Frequently Quite Prolix dwks's Avatar
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    Just try it in the command prompt. I bet it will work.

    I have Borland C++ 5. Will that make a DOS executable once I get this right?
    It will run under the command prompt.

    Try copying my first program. Save it and compile it, and it should run.
    dwk

    Seek and ye shall find. quaere et invenies.

    "Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it." -- Alan Perlis
    "Testing can only prove the presence of bugs, not their absence." -- Edsger Dijkstra
    "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." -- John Powell


    Other boards: DaniWeb, TPS
    Unofficial Wiki FAQ: cpwiki.sf.net

    My website: http://dwks.theprogrammingsite.com/
    Projects: codeform, xuni, atlantis, nort, etc.

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