LW>
  > Just exactly where do I start ?
  >
  > I want to program small apps and maybe small games for PM.
LW>

  1.  Learn either the C++ or Pascal languages.
  2.  Learn the basics of programming on OS/2, such as how the flat memory
      model works, and processes are, and so forth.
  3.  Learn Presentation Manager.

  This is based upon the premise that it is better to be able to walk
  before one starts trying to run.  In this case, it is better to have a
  strong grasp of the language that one is going to write programs in,
  including how functions, libraries, parameter passing, declarations, and
  type conversions work, before one starts writing complex programs.

  Presentation Manager is, essentially, a huge graphics and user interface
  library, and in the learning curve can be treated as such.  One of the
  beauties of OS/2 is that text-mode programs are no different in their
  basic architecture to PM programs; whereas writing a DOS (i.e.
  text-mode) program is significently different to writing a DOS+Windows
  program (the system APIs are different, the memory models and program
  layout in memory are different, and the program startup sequence is
  completely different).  Text-mode OS/2 programs use the same system API
  as PM programs, have the same layout in memory as PM programs, and
  initialise in the same way.

  So (taking C++ as an example) you can start with simple "hello there"
  examples from C++ programming tutorials, and compile them as text-mode
  OS/2 programs, and not have to "unlearn" anything once you start using
  Presentation Manager to produce a sophisticated user interface.

  Some final notes :

  I recommend C++ and Pascal not through narrowmindedness, but simply
  because they are the most widely known, the ones with the widest range
  of implementations (5 major C++ compilers, and 2 major and 4 lesser
  Pascal compilers), and the ones towards which the system API
  documentation is mostly geared.  There are a vast array of other
  languages available for OS/2, from SmallTalk through PL/I and Forth to
  BASIC.

  Don't make the mistake that I did, of getting bogged down in text-mode
  user interfaces, such as VIO and MOU.  If you find yourself at the point
  where you are confident of the basic principles of your language and of
  OS/2 programming, and want to add menus, dialogues, buttons, and
  entryfields to your application, that is the point that you should be
  looking at Presentation Manager.

  > JdeBP <
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