Graphics in DOS

[dmoore210]

I'm creating a DOS program and want to convert it into a somewhat graphical interface. No mouse, but using arrow keys and having some drawn boxes on the screen. Simple 1985 DOS graphics, although when I'm looking at examples or searching everyone uses graphics.h which I cannot find anywhere, and most people say it's deprecated and not used anymore.

I need to create a program that uses some simple graphics probably in the dos atmosphere but I can't find many examples anywhere, and when I do, none compile on my Bloodshed Dev++ compiler, and I also use Visual Studio 8. Any help in creating some simple boxes and forms in DOS

[helios]

When you say "graphics in DOS", what distinction are you making from graphics in Windows?

[Disch]

1) Nobody runs DOS anymore. You're probably making a console program, and not a DOS program. The two are not the same.

2) Don't use console for this. Look up SDL or some other game lib:

http://www.libsdl.org/

On top of being MUCH easier to use, it also have the benefit of being crossplatform.

[dmoore210]

Well it's actually a dos program I'm trying to recreate. At my work we've got a program that we are using that is DOS (Have to run it in Virtual PC by microsoft to get it to properly control the parallel port LPT1) and I've taken it under my task to make a new program so we can use this program in XP, but I'm trying to get the interface down before the port programming.

So atm it is a console program yes. I've done plenty of C and C++, but never done any visual so this is my first dive into anything graphical, that's why I was trying to put my foot in the water first with simple VGA graphics for the console, but if there's something that's simple that doesn't require much outside of C++, point me in the direction!

[helios]

Oh, so it's a CUI, then. It's not graphics.

Google PDcurses.

[Duthomhas]

You might want to google around "turbovision". There is a port to the GNU compiler here
http://tvision.sourceforge.net/

Good luck!

[dmoore210]

I took a look at the turbovision, interesting but not quite what I'm looking for. Pdcurses looks good, although I can't get it to install correctly!

I found an older version 2.5 that I got to link correctly, with the .lib file and .dll file, although I need to have the .dll file in the same folder as the program I create? I searched around and couldn't find a way to get the latest pdcurses to install correctly with Visual Studio 2008. Thanks

[helios]

I need to have the .dll file in the same folder as the program I create?

Put it in c:\windows\system32\ (the exact path may be different in your particular installation).

I searched around and couldn't find a way to get the latest pdcurses to install correctly with Visual Studio 2008.

It didn't give me any trouble.
What I do with Visual Studio is have a C++ directory in My Documents where I keep all my stuff. Following this method:
1. Put the .libs in C++\lib\
2. Put the headers in C++\include\
3. Add C++\lib\ and C++\include\ to the library search paths and include search path respectively. You'll find this setting in tools>options>projects and solutions>VC++ directories.

[dmoore210]

I did manage to get the latest pdcurses installed. I wasn't getting the right settings for the compiler to point to the new INCLUDE and LIB folders I had created.

It comes with a few examples, but is there anywhere on the net that has some more pdcurses programs?

[Duthomhas]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ncurses#External_links

Good luck!