Borland C++ 5.5 Command-line tools
             Frequently Asked Questions

                maintained by Jogy
                  www.jogy.net
                  jogy@sirma.bg


Q: What is Borland C++ 5.5 Command-line tools?
A: It is a set of command-line tools (compiler, linker, resource compiler, librarian, etc.)
released for free by Borland (www.borland.com)

Q: Where can the command-line tools be downloaded?
A: The main download is at http://www.borland.com/bcppbuilder/freecompiler/cppc55steps.html
It requires to go through a simple survey. 
Separate download is the free Turbo Debugger, which is found at http://www.borland.com/bcppbuilder/turbodebugger/turbodebug55steps.html


Q: Can I sell programs, compiled with BCC5.5?
A: I am not a lawyer, but I think that it is perfectly legal. 
This question was asked more than once in the forums, and no Borland representative
replayed that commercial programs cannot be developed with the free compiler.

Q: Is it possible to use BCC5.5 from Borland C++ Builder 1.0/3.0/4.0 IDE?
A: No. C++ Builder IDE uses the compiler from DLL for better performance, and this DLL cannot be replaced.

Q: Is it possible to use BCC5.5 from Borland C++ 5.02 IDE?
A: Kind of. Check the Add-On Tools5.5 on www.jogy.net.

Q: Is it possible to use BCC5.5 with Borland C++ 4.x IDE?
A: No. 

Q: Is it possible to use BCC5.5 with Turbo C++ IDE?
A: No. TC++ is 16-bit DOS program, and BCC5.5 is 32-bit console application.

Q: Where is the IDE?
A: The command-line tools do not come with integrated development environment. 
For a list of third-party free IDE's check http://www.sirma.bg/Jogy/bcc55.html.

Q: What is the latest version of the free command-line tools?
A: Version 5.5.1 from August 2001.

Q: Can BCC5.5 create DOS applications?
A: No. It cam create only 32-bit GUI or console applications, but they cannot
be launched in pure DOS environment. But there is 32-bit DOS extender, which can
accomplish this. Check http://michael.tippach.bei.t-online.de/wdosx/

Q: Why functions inport()/outport() are not found in BCC5.5?
A: These functions access ports directly, which is not permitted under 32-bit Windows.
Use Windows API function for communication with hardware.

Q: I cannot find the header file graphics.h!
A: This file is used for the BGI (Borland Graphics Interface) functions for graphics under DOS.
They cannot be used from 32-bit Windows programs, use Windows GDI functions instead.
There is an emulation for GDI, called WinGDI, but is not tested with BCC 5.5. Check http://www.cs.colorado.edu/~main/bgi/

Q: Why bios.h is not found in BCC5.5?
A: This file is used in DOS programs for direct access to hardware, which is not permitted for 32-bit Windows applications.

Q: How can I use DirectX 8 with BCC5.5?
A: You can find libraries made to work with BCC5.5 at this site: http://www.geocities.com/foetsch/borlibs/index.htm