China DOS Union

I have a special 80486 computer
I need to write programs for it
The program's function is very simple
But it needs 4MB of memory
So no operating system is used
But the CPU has to run in protected mode
I think this is an embedded application
Cross-compilation can be done under Linux
But I'm not familiar with Linux
Can this be done under DJGPP?

No.

Actually it can, but this computer's hardware specs are too low. I recommend using DOS+DJGPP on a newer computer for better results.

It really won't do. The documentation specifically emphasizes that DJGPP is not capable of developing embedded systems.
The "embedded" here itself means being independent of DOS.

Please use info faq or info djgppfaq.info to look up the relevant content, and in particular please pay attention to the 2002 DJGPP notice
and make sure your DJGPP is the latest version, 2.03.

DJGPP can be said to be a UNIX PORT; what real development work requires is mastery of GCC and AT&T ASM.
Choosing the correct development platform is the key to a project's success. LINUX is your best choice. (Learning the knowledge needed for the project
is counted as part of the project's development cost, so learning is a necessary part of successfully developing a project.)

Finally, what needs to be explained is that in fact development work has almost nothing to do with LINUX itself. Because what you need to develop is
a new system, and the required technology is cross-programming (MIX-LANUAGE PROGRAMING), along with a full understanding of the
machine itself. So even if DJGPP were competent for your work, the technologies you need to face would not change at all.
The tools you need to face are still GCC and AT&T ASM.

Your machine's hardware specs are basically the same as the one I have on hand, and it has a lot of development potential. However, one point needs to be clarified. If you
need to do advanced applications, there is absolutely no need to redevelop an embedded system. You can use ROM-DOS and other DOS systems,
together with the corresponding program packages.

As for the interface, DJGPP+ALLOGE is fully competent. A successful example is a famous domestic antivirus program (its
DOS-side antivirus program has a very beautiful interface; the Chinese documentation for ALLOGE has already been localized, and I am currently
working on the Chinese localization of DJGPP.)

However, DJGPP eliminates a lot of older knowledge, especially since DJGPP's hardware access mechanism is different from traditional DOS programs.
See INFO "HIDDEN FEATURE" to see some of its other characteristics.

I hope you choose the right development platform. If there are any more questions, especially about DJGPP, please write to discuss them.
[email protected]

You can also send mail to [email protected] to subscribe to that mailing list and ask the broad user community directly.
The mail content should be add djgpp, no subject needed. (All in English, 10-30 messages per day.)

When asking questions, please do not send them to this address.

I correct one mistake of my own: DJGPP can indeed develop operating-system-level software.

However, it needs NASM support.

NASM can compile 16-bit programs, and that way service programs such as CWSDPMI and GO32-V2 can be brought in.
Only in this way can DJGPP programs run.

But you absolutely must not use the DAS that comes with DJGPP for development.

As for mixed programming with DJGPP+NASM, please see
http://asmcos.51.net/cgi-bin/newbbs/

NASM's current version number is still less than 1, and there have been few updates since 95. Please take note of this.

An example of development is the Lingix project
http://gro.clinux.org/project/showfiles.php?group_id=70

Its NASM0。98 download version runs very stably. You can refer to this kind of development model.

Thanks to all the experts for the pointers
Special thanks to lemonhhall