This newly updated and expanded volume contains detailed, thorough and accurate information on MS-DOS written for advanced-level programmers of all environments. Contains an index and appendixes.

Explains how to exploit the undocumented capabilities of the MS- DOS operating system when programming commercial software. Updated from the first edition to incorporate not only DOS 5.0 and 6.0, but also the forthcoming DOS 7 and Windows 4. Coverage is also expanded on Windows interfacing, DOS internals, and the role of undocumented interfaces in the software industry. Includes a 3.5" disk; equivalent 5.25" disks are available for $10 more. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The source code of MS-DOS is both secret and copyright-protected. Using the DOS work-alike RxDOS, created to emulate and parallel the commercial system, Dissecting DOS reveals for the first time the code-level operation of DOS. By studying the source code of RxDOS included on disk, readers will be able to understand MS-DOS's inner workings.

A comprehensive guide to automated financial recordkeeping now updated to include the latest release of Peachtree Complete for the more than a quarter of a million Peachtree users, this book fills the gap left between the software's documentation and not free technical support. Now with this book, small business owners can learn all there is to know about computerizing their accounting, accounts receivable and payable, inventory, and payroll tasks . Plus, for those upgrading from Peachtree Complete 11, this book offers concrete guidance.

A powerful collection of Basic routines to make the intermediate to advanced programmer more productive--faster. Designed to be an erector set for sophisticated applications, the more than 50 reusable programs feature a code-intensive "learn-by-example" approach. The code and descriptions will be particularly useful to programmers who have experience with QuickBasic, Turbo Pascal, or Turbo C.

"Raymond Chen is the original raconteur of Windows." --Scott Hanselman, ComputerZen.com "Raymond has been at Microsoft for many years and has seen many nuances of Windows that others could only ever hope to get a glimpse of. With this book, Raymond shares his knowledge, experience, and anecdotal stories, allowing all of us to get a better understanding of the operating system that affects millions of people every day. This book has something for everyone, is a casual read, and I highly recommend it!" --Jeffrey Richter, Author/Consultant, Cofounder of Wintellect "Very interesting read. Raymond tells the inside story of why Windows is the way it is." --Eric Gunnerson, Program Manager, Microsoft Corporation "Absolutely essential reading for understanding the history of Windows, its intricacies and quirks, and why they came about." --Matt Pietrek, MSDN Magazine's Under the Hood Columnist "Raymond Chen has become something of a legend in the software industry, and in this book you'll discover why. From his high-level reminiscences on the design of the Windows Start button to his low-level discussions of GlobalAlloc that only your inner-geek could love, The Old New Thing is a captivating collection of anecdotes that will help you to truly appreciate the difficulty inherent in designing and writing quality software." --Stephen Toub, Technical Editor, MSDN Magazine Why does Windows work the way it does? Why is Shut Down on the Start menu? (And why is there a Start button, anyway?) How can I tap into the dialog loop? Why does the GetWindowText function behave so strangely? Why are registry files called "hives"? Many of Windows' quirks have perfectly logical explanations, rooted in history. Understand them, and you'll be more productive and a lot less frustrated. Raymond Chen--who's spent more than a decade on Microsoft's Windows development team--reveals the "hidden Windows" you need to know. Chen's engaging style, deep insight, and thoughtful humor have made him one of the world's premier technology bloggers. Here he brings together behind-the-scenes explanations, invaluable technical advice, and illuminating anecdotes that bring Windows to life--and help you make the most of it. A few of the things you'll find inside: What vending machines can teach you about effective user interfaces A deeper understanding of window and dialog management Why performance optimization can be so counterintuitive A peek at the underbelly of COM objects and the Visual C++ compiler Key details about backwards compatibility--what Windows does and why Windows program security holes most developers don't know about How to make your program a better Windows citizen