Windows 3.1

[Silicate Wielder]

Okay, I got windows 3.1 installed on my laptop (as a virtual machine) and I want to know how I can compile programs in it for my own personal use. Can someone help me out here? I am doing my research on advanced batch coding, I just can't find anything on how to compile it.

[TheMatrix]

You can't compile Batch. It does exactly what the name implies: batch execution of commands so you don't have to type them one by one.
Unless you want to compile a programming language, such as C or even COBOL, you should find a suitable compiler.

[ethanf93]

Like TheMatrix said, batch cannot be compiled. As for more "real" programming languages, QBASIC is a good place to start (as I recall it's bundled with certain versions of DOS) I seem to recall some version of Turbo Pascal floating around on the 'net which you'd be able to use.

If you want to build Windows 3.1 programs - so one that has a window and everything - you'll need to search out a C or C++ compiler for Windows 3.1 that has the appropriate libraries.

[TheMatrix]

If you want to build Windows 3.1 programs - so one that has a window and everything - you'll need to search out a C or C++ compiler for Windows 3.1 that has the appropriate libraries.

I've read on Usenet(yes, people did and still do use that) that Borland/TurboC was great for its time. Rather pricey, though, so I suggest you get an old version using your favourite means of...acquiring software. You can get version 2.01 and other Borland goodies by using the useful links somebody put here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbo_C#External_links).

[ethanf93]

I've read on Usenet(yes, people did and still do use that) that Borland/TurboC was great for its time. Rather pricey, though, so I suggest you get an old version using your favourite means of...acquiring software. You can get version 2.01 and other Borland goodies by using the useful links somebody put here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbo_C#External_links).
Ah, I guess it was Turbo C I was thinking of. You're going to have a bit of a learning curve, C is more complicated than batch, but I would seriously recommend you make the move as C and C++ are extremely useful things to know. There are a lot of pretty simple tutorials online for C and C++ although, setting up Turbo C might take a bit of doing.

[TheMatrix]

Ah, I guess it was Turbo C I was thinking of. You're going to have a bit of a learning curve, C is more complicated than batch, but I would seriously recommend you make the move as C and C++ are extremely useful things to know. There are a lot of pretty simple tutorials online for C and C++ although, setting up Turbo C might take a bit of doing.
Alternatively, you could install Perl, as I'm sure ActiveState must have made a version for Windoze 98. I wouldn't be expecting to find anything higher than 5.6, though(Note that many features of Perl came with the release of 5.8.8). But if you're just starting out, then 5.6 will do just fine.

[ethanf93]

Alternatively, you could install Perl, as I'm sure ActiveState must have made a version for Windoze 98. I wouldn't be expecting to find anything higher than 5.6, though(Note that many features of Perl came with the release of 5.8.8). But if you're just starting out, then 5.6 will do just fine.

Honestly I think anybody would have a huge amount of trouble getting any version of any port of Perl to run on Windows 3.1. If Trioxis is interested in older Windows programming, I would use a language that would have been at the time current - something like C, C++, or Pascal.

[Silicate Wielder]

Thanks for the help and suggestions, if anyone has more to add to this post feel free to do so, and I got a feeling that this is going to be a pain to do considering it took about 5 hours just to get sound working properly. (Thats what I get for using DOSBox) and to get the graphics somewhat working in 256 colors is another story.