NEC PC-9800 Quick Guide

Common Questions and Answers

Q Which language compilers can be used to develop PC-9800 applications?

A Most compilers for the US PC market will generate usable 80x86 family code that will execute properly on the PC-9800 platform. However, problems can arise due to runtime code or libraries which may be called. If the runtime code accesses hardware directly or makes BIOS calls, the code will fail. DOS level calls will succeed. Many compilers have a Japanese version available which has been designed to execute on the PC-9800 platform. Vendors of these products include Borland International, Microsoft, and Watcom. Watcom is available through Lifeboat in Japan. In many cases the code compiled by the US compiler may be linked with the Japanese language product runtime.

Q What other tools will run on the PC-9800 platform?

A In general, any DOS application that uses only DOS interfaces will run on the PC-9800. This includes most IBM-PC command line language translators, file compression utilities, and many UNIX like utilities which only use DOS.

Note: Development may continue to be done on US IBM-PC platforms. You do not need to compile on the PC-9800 to generate a program that will work on it.

Q How do I know if my application will run on a PC-9800 platform?

A If your application makes calls only to DOS functions, it is likely to run on a PC-9800 system. If your application makes direct calls to the IBM-PC BIOS or references any IBM-PC specific I/O ports or memory addresses, then it will not run on a PC-9800 system without modification.

Common US BIOS function calls are int10 video functions for text mode applications and int17 printer services. Common direct hardware access includes references to the text display buffer at 0xB800 or printer and serial port device base addresses found at 40:0000. All of these must be changed in order to run on a PC-9800 platform.