🚀 go-pugleaf

From article <1992Apr16.040558.7516@talon.ucs.orst.edu>, by choup@bionette.cgrb.orst.edu (Ping Chou -- Biochemistry and Biophysics):
>         I am aware of GNU assembler, but can't get used to its symbols.
>         And there is probably some assemblers specific for OS/2 (2.0 ?),
>         but are they free?

MASM 6.0 isn't a free assembler, but it's relatively inexpensive (as far
as programming languages go, around $80-$100 mail order) and it's a great
assembler for producing 32-bit apps for OS/2 2.0 (of course, you still have
to buy the IBM Developer's Toolkit to get the libraries and header files).

>         So, how can I make system call from within an assembly program?
>         I do have a ABIOS reference book. Can I call those functions as
>         people done to BIOS on a PC/DOS system?

OS/2 has a totally different method of making system calls.  No more INT??
crap!!!  Unless you want to stick with DOS executables, you will have to
learn the OS/2 way of making system calls (which are by pushing parameters
on the stack and calling library procedures, even in Assembly language).

>         Will I absolutely need the bunch of books from 'IBM OS/2 2.0
>         Technical Library'?

No, not 'absolutely', but if you are not familiar with OS/2 1.x programming
methods, I can guarantee that the OS/2 2.0 Developer's Toolkit's online
documentation won't be enough to get you up to speed.  For general programming
(i.e. not 'special' stuff like writing device drivers) you can probably
skip spending $1000+ for the Technical Library and depend on third-party
OS/2 programming books.  The problem at the moment is that I haven't seen
any OS/2 2.0-specific introductory programming books.  The 1.x books will
work fine at getting you up to speed (the example programs will compile just
fine), but be aware that OS/2 2.0 has an extended API (just browse through
the Toolkit's online docs).  Some good 1.x books are Advanced OS/2 
Programming by Ray Duncan (yes, I know it says 'advanced' in the title, but
it's a GREAT introduction to OS/2 kernel programming) and Programming the
OS/2 Presentation manager by Charles Petzold.  These two books are OS/2 1.1
books, but they are the best 1.x books that I have come across.