If you're familiar with GCC on Linux, and want the same/similar tools on FreeDOS, you'll like the IA-16 GCC. This is a DJGPP/MS-DOS-hosted (32-bit x86) port of the GNU C and C++ compiler toolchain to the IA-16 target (16-bit Intel x86), by Rask Ingemann Lambertsen, Andrew Jenner, TK Chia, and others. The toolchain itself is 32-bit, but it will output 16-bit code. Changes in this version since the previous release in March: + A compiler bug was causing incorrect code to be output under the options -mcmodel=medium -ffunction-sections. This is now fixed. + There is now a new built-in function, __builtin_ia16_static_far_cast (·), which can be used within a static initializer to cast a near pointer to a far pointer. + argv[0] is now set properly — to an empty string — under MS-DOS 2.x. + Tabs can now delimit command line arguments. + Various other internal improvements. You can find the new IA-16 GCC toolchain at IA-16 GCC releases on GitHub. We've also mirrored this release on the FreeDOS files archive at Ibiblio, under /devel/c/gcc-ia16.... read more

jSH is a script interpreter for DOS based operating systems like MS-DOS, FreeDOS or any DOS based Windows (like 95, 98, ME). The focus is on file io and text mode user interfaces. jSH is a side project to DOjS, a Javascript canvas for creative coding. jSH is available on the jSH GitHub under several licenses, including the MIT license, the ISC license, Dzcomm (gift-ware, not really open source), and WATTCP. You can find binary releases on the jSH release page. Just extract the contents of the archive and run jSH.

I manage a small channel on YouTube where I post videos about FreeDOS. I post a new video every week, and topics vary from things like showing how to use FreeDOS commands, how to write sample programs, and playing classic DOS games. If you haven't subscribed to the YouTube channel, here are a few highlights of videos you've missed: How to install programs on FreeDOS without FDIMPLES .. How I edit the website .. How to archive files on DOS .. Playing TIE Fighter .. Writing a gem-matching game (some folks asked for an ASMR video with my clicky IBM keyboard, and this is it) .. "Guess the number game" in a DOS spreadsheet .. Writing a "Guess the number game" in C .. and for April 1st, I made a joke video about writing a "spreadsheet" in C where I ended up with VisiCalc (watch the solution video for how I did it). I'm always open to suggestions if you would like to see other videos on the YouTube channel. Let me know if there's something you'd like me to cover for an upcoming video! And don't forget to Subscribe to the channel for more videos about FreeDOS.

SHSUCDX is an unloadable CD-ROM redirector substitute for MSCDEX. It supports up to 10 drives. Each drive is single-sector buffered and the last 10 directory entries are cached. Each unit from each driver can be assigned a specific drive letter. A minor version was recently released, to allow /L before /D (FM TOWNS compatibility). You can find the latest version at the SHSUCDX website. We have also mirrored it on the FreeDOS files archive at Ibiblio, under /files/dos/shsucdx

IA-16 GCC is a 32-bit x86 DOS port of the GNU C and C++ compiler toolchain to the IA-16 target (16-bit Intel x86), by Rask Ingemann Lambertsen, Andrew Jenner, TK Chia, and various contributors. The toolchain itself must run on a 32-bit system, but it will output 16-bit executables. TK Chia recently announced the latest version, with several new features: + There is now a new, experimental, interrupt function attribute, which can be used to define or declare interrupt service routines + The compiler now defines several more macros and keywords, to increase compatibility with code targeted at Open Watcom + The new attributes no_save_ds, save_es, and save_all now replace the restore_ds function attribute + and other fixes and improvements. You can find the full notes and downloads at IA-16 GCC on GitHub. We've also mirrored this release on the FreeDOS files archive at Ibiblio, under /devel/c/gcc-ia16... read more

If you spot FreeDOS in the news, let me know and I'll add it to our News History page. A few things you might have missed recently: In January, I wrote about why I like the FED editor on OpenSource.com, my contribution to an article series about different text editors. Starting in February, Kevin O'Brien wrote a series of article about FreeDOS, also for OpenSource.com, including: how to set your Path in FreeDOS, navigate your FreeDOS system, understanding directory and file names, and FreeDOS commands you need to know. More recently, TechRound interviewed Jim about FreeDOS. Did we miss any news items about FreeDOS? Let us know so we can update the News History.

DOjS is a JavaScript programming environment for systems running MS-DOS, FreeDOS or any DOS based Windows (like 95, 98, ME). It features an integrated editor, graphics and sound output, mouse/keyboard/joystick input and more. SuperIlu released DOjS version 1.5.0 with several new features, including: + Added SQLite module + Added module for training/running neuronal networks + Added libcpuid module + Added NanoSVG module + Added global variables Width/Height + Added single parameter version of Color() + Added Console and EvalChain classes + Added perlin noise module + You can now create single color Bitmaps. You can find the source code at the DOjS GitHub or download the latest version from DOjS Releases. We've also mirrored DOjS in the FreeDOS files archive at Ibiblio, under /devel/js/dojs/1.5.0

lDebug is a 86-DOS debugger similar to the MS-DOS Debug tool. lDebug is based on DEBUG/X 1.13 to 1.18 as released by Japheth, which was based on Paul Vojta original FreeDOS DEBUG. C. Masloch has updated lDebug release 1 as a FreeDOS package. We announced lDebug a month ago, but there are a few features to note about this version, including: + Arbitrary unsigned 32-bit expression evaluator + Bootloaded mode and its BOOT commands + Script file reading + /C command line option to pass commands to the debugger on startup + Extended online help + License changed to the open source Fair License (having asked Paul Vojta and received his confirmation). You can find the source at ecm's webbed site with the FreeDOS-compatible package - we've also mirrored this at the FreeDOS files archive at Ibiblio under /dos/debug/ldebug

If you run FreeDOS on physical hardware, you might be interested in this ongoing experiment from Japheth: DOS32pae is a program that is supposed to be added (by a linker) to a 32-bit PE binary. This supports extra memory using PAE paging. And as Japheth shared recently: "there's now even a real application: HDAPLAYX. This is a .wav player with the following features: - accesses the Intel HDA controller directly - loads the samples in extended memory beyond 4 GB (needs HimemSX) - NO "user interface" .. just starts to play, then launches a shell. The last "feature" is cool, because this allows to run another application during playing. So it's possible to run DOOM and let the player emit some music in the background. Restriction: the HDA controller must support 64-bit physical addresses - and the machine must have more than 4 GB!" It's all still a bit experimental, and definitely for adventurers only. If you run FreeDOS in a virtual machine, DOS32pae is probably NOT for you. You can find the source code on GitHub or download the latest release directly: dos32pae_v1b.ZIP (zip file)

Fritz has updated the FreeDOS Help documentation. Major updates in this version include some minor fixes, and added French and Spanish languages (thanks to Lorenzo del Toro for Spanish translation and to Berki Yenigün for French language). Note that this release includes both HtmlHelp content and AMB content. AMB is the open "Ancient Machine Book" ebook format, also for FreeDOS. I've mirrored this 1.0.8a release on the FreeDOS files archive at Ibiblio, under /dos/help/1.08. This is called "internet version" because this version is not (yet) completely supported by help.exe.

You may have seen recently that Richard Stallman recently rejoined the Free Software Foundation on the Board of Directors. By appointing Stallman to the Board of Directors, the FSF reaffirms that they think Stallman's behavior is okay. I'm not okay with that. I join others in calling on the FSF to hold Stallman accountable for his behavior, to remove him from any position of authority or leadership, and work to address the damage he has done to all open source communities. Until then, I will not associate with the FSF or GNU, and I will not participate in any events that include Stallman. Full statement is on my personal page.

Gregory Pietsch released an update to everyone's favorite text editor, FreeDOS Edlin. This is a minor bugfix release. I think the changes will be visible if you compile this on Linux, the functionality on FreeDOS should remain the same. And yes, you really can compile Edlin for FreeDOS (I have). You can find FreeDOS Edlin on SourceForge. I've also mirrored this release on the FreeDOS files archive at Ibiblio, under /dos/edlin. Thanks Gregory!

Links is an open source text-based web browser that runs on DOS, Unix, and other platforms. The latest version 2.22 is now available from Twibright. This is a minor update, the changelog indicates the biggest new features include updated Turkish and Spanish translations. We've also mirrored this version in the FreeDOS files archive, hosted by Ibiblio - you can find it at /files/net/links

NOKEYB disables loading the DOS keyboard driver KEYB.COM in C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT on the Vobis Highscreen Handy Organizer palmtop PC. This allows using a custom keyboard driver or no driver at all to save precious RAM. As Robert writes about NOKEYB: "I recently acquired two Highscreen Handy Organizer palmtop PCs and wondered, whether and how it would be possible to free some precious memory by replacing KEYB.COM. But on the Highscreen Handy Organizer, files C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT and D:\DOS\KEYB.COM are in read-only memory (ROM), which prevents modification." NOKEYB works by intercepting DOS function 4Bh 'load and execute'. For those without a Highscreen Handy Organizer (or Tidalwave PS-1000 or Zeos Pocket PC) you don't need NOKEYB - but you might be interested in the source code (using NASM) as a starting point for your own drivers. Download it from BTTR's NOKEYB.

Cowgol is an experimental, Ada-inspired language for very small systems (6502, Z80, etc). And yes, it targets 8086, on DOS (it emits small mode .exe files with 64kB of code and 64kB of data). Cowgol has very strong typing (implicit casts of variables never happen) and supports multiple return parameters and nested functions. Cowgol started from a compiler experiment - but despite that, it is meant to be useful, not just a toy. Cowgol is open source, under the BSD 2-Clause "Simplified" License. If you'd like to try it out, you can read more at the Cowlark website, or visit the Cowgol Github.

Ben C shared this interesting website that uses FreeDOS: "8BitWorkshop provides a web-based IDE that targets multiple systems. The x86 target runs FreeDOS in the browser and allows you to explore the memory map and watch memory contents in real time. It can export to github or .zip files." Retrocomputing enthusiasts will also want to check out the other hardware targets, including the Apple II+, Commodore 64, and Atari 2600.

SvarDOS is an open-source project that is meant to integrate the best out of the currently available DOS tools, drivers and games. SvarDOS aims to collect available DOS software, package it and make it easy to find and install applications using a network-enabled package manager (like apt-get, but for DOS and able to run even on a 8086 PC). Once installed, SvarDOS is a minimalistic DOS system that offers only the FreeDOS kernel and the most basic tools for system administration. It is up to the user to install additional packages. Care is taken so SvarDOS remains 8086-compatible, at least in its most basic (core) configuration. You can find it at the SvarDOS website.

I had a lot of fun in last weekend's virtual get-together. And folks said they'd be interested in doing this again, so I wanted to schedule the next one. Hold the date for the next virtual get-together: we'll gather on Sunday, March 21. Since the time works for most people, let's plan the next one for the same time (11am US/Central - use your favorite time zone converter to find your local time.) Just like last time, we'll do it on BlueJeans Meetings. You can join using the BlueJeans Meeting client, or join directly from any (modern) web browser. I'll post the meeting URL here when the meeting starts on March 21.

Tom Ehlert has released an update to FreeDOS FDISK. This version fixes a serious bug "when creating logical drives, using 'use maximum size', FDISK would allow to create an additional partition of size 0, trashing the complete disk partitioning." This bug appears to be resolved in FDISK 1.3.4. Please download the new version and test. You can download it from Tom's website as fdisk134.zip {zip file} or mirrored in the FreeDOS files archive under /dos/fdisk on ibiblio. Thanks, Tom!

Dos32pae is a program that is supposed to be added (by a linker) to a 32-bit PE binary - a so-called "stub". The stub is executed when the binary is launched in DOS. As Japheth describes it, "Using PAE paging, this tiny 'DOS extender' - although 32-bit and thus limited to 4GB of address space - is able to use huge amounts of memory. There's a sample supplied, Alloc.asm, that demonstrates this feature, backfilling 4092 MB of "linear" memory with physical memory allocated via XMS v3.5 beyond the 4 GB barrier." Dos32pae is under the open source MIT license. You can find it at Dos32pae's GitHub

lDebug is a 86-DOS debugger similar to the MS-DOS Debug tool. lDebug is based on DEBUG/X 1.13 to 1.18 as released by Japheth, whose work was released as Public Domain. It features DPMI client support for 32-bit and 16-bit segments, a 686-level assembler and disassembler, an expression evaluator, an InDOS and a bootloaded mode, script file reading, serial port I/O, permanent breakpoints, conditional tracing, buffered tracing, and auto-repetition of some commands. There is also a symbolic debugging branch being developed. The lDebug manual in html, plain text and PDF is available online. The main website is at ecm's webbed site with links to the source code and file releases. We have also mirrored this release at the FreeDOS files archive under /dos/debug/ldebug.

SuperIlu writes about a new project. Libsixteen provides helper functions for VGA mode 0x13 graphics, BMP loading/saving, mouse pointers and IPX networking. It was written just for fun using OpenWatcom. Libsixteen is available under the GNU GPL and MIT license, although the "Computer" and "Magic 5" fonts are under a different font license with some restrictions. You can find it at Libsixteen on GitHub.

When we had our last virtual get-together in January, we wanted to do it again in February. Mark your calendars for next Sunday, February 21, 2021 at 11am US/Central. Use your favorite timezone converter to find your local time. Just like last time, we'll hold the meeting via BlueJeans. I use BlueJeans for my consulting and training, so I already have things set up there. You can connect to the meeting directly from your browser without a client, or you can download the BlueJeans Meetings client at your preference. I'll share the meeting link on the email list, and on the website, and on Twitter + Facebook when the get-together starts.... read more

Tom Ehlert has released an update to FreeDOS FDISK. The previous FDISK 1.3.2 would not find volume labels, if the partition doesn't start on a cylinder boundary. This new version fixes that. You can download the new FreeDOS FDISK 1.3.3 either directly from Tom's website as fdisk133.zip (zip file) or mirrored at the FreeDOS files archive, in /dos/fdisk on Ibiblio. Thanks, Tom!

Capsmap is a DOS Terminate and Stay Resident program, for remapping caps lock to any other key. It does this by taking control of the keyboard interrupt, and either modifying the BIOS keyboard flag bytes (for modifier keys), or appending scancodes to the BIOS keyboard buffer, when it detects a caps lock press/release. This remapping trick will work for most DOS programs which use either BIOS or DOS calls to get keyboard input. It will not work however for any programs which access the keyboard directly, like most games. Written by John Tsiombikas and available in the public domain. You can find it on the Capsmap GitHub.