Question:
I know I’m a bit behind, but I would like to know how to create C programs for use in Foxpro for DOS. I have Foxpro 2.6 with LCK, but the kit did not come with a compiler to create the PLB files. I read somewhere that you can use Microsoft C 7.0, but I have no idea how to get that. (It’s not available at the stores; everything is Visual now). Where could I get a free compiler from the Internet that can create the PLB files? I noticed that Foxpro comes with a Watcom compiler that it uses to create EXEs. Is it possible to use it to create PLBs, and, if so, how?
Answer:
1. Where to find MS C 7.0
Try www.programmersparadise.com, www.computers.com, www.compusa.com, maybe even www.Microsoft.com
2. The Watcom Compiler
This ships with Fox, but it is used only to build DOS executables. To my knowledge it cannot be used for development in C (they don’t want to give you two development languages for the price of one 😉
The LCK is the equivalent of SDKs: it gives you a set of specially designed libraries, but not the compiler to build them with.
3. Free C Compiler
The only free C compiler that I know of is GNU: you can find out more about it by going to one of the search engines and searching for GNU Compiler. I doubt that it would work with the LCK, but you could try it.
4. Good FPDos sites
A great FP site is the universal thread (www.universalthread.com), which although somewhat VFP-centric, has areas for FPDOS related questions.
