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Introducing Pro*C/C++

This chapter describes Pro*C/C++, the Oracle programmatic interface for the C and C++ languages running on Windows operating systems. Pro*C/C++ enables you to build Oracle database applications in a Win32 environment.

This chapter contains these topics:

• What Is Pro*C/C++?
  
  
• Features
  
  
• Restrictions
  
  
• Directory Structure

  See Also: Pro*C/C++ Precompiler Programmer's Guide for additional information

What Is Pro*C/C++?

The Pro*C/C++ precompiler enables you to create applications that access your Oracle database whenever rapid development and compatibility with other systems are your priorities.

The Pro*C/C++ programming tool enables you to embed Structured Query Language (SQL) statements in a C or C++ program. The Pro*C/C++ precompiler translates these statements into standard Oracle runtime library calls, then generates a modified source program that you can compile, link, and run in the usual way.

Features

Pro*C/C++ supports the following features:

• Remote access with Oracle Net Services or local access to Oracle databases
  
  
• Embedded PL/SQL blocks
  
  
• Bundled database calls, which can provide better performance in client/server environments
  
  
• Full ANSI compliance for embedded SQL programming
  
  
• PL/SQL version 9.0 and host language arrays in PL/SQL procedures
  
  
• Multi-threaded applications
  
  
• Full ANSI C compliance
  
  
• Microsoft Visual C++ support, version 6.0 for 32-bit applications

  Note: Borland C++ is no longer supported.

Restrictions

Pro*C/C++ does not support 16-bit code generation.

Directory Structure

Installing Oracle software creates a directory structure on your hard drive for the Oracle products. A main Oracle directory contains the Oracle subdirectories and files that are necessary to run Pro*C/C++.

When you install Pro*C/C++, Oracle Universal Installer creates a directory called \precomp in the ORACLE_BASE\ORACLE_HOME directory. This subdirectory contains the Pro*C/C++ executable files, library files, and sample programs listed in Table 1-1.

Table 1-1 precomp Directory Structure

Directory Name	Contents
\admin	Configuration files
\demo\proc	Sample programs for Pro*C/C++
\demo\sql	SQL scripts for sample programs
\doc\proc	Readme files for Pro*C/C++
\help\proc	Help files for Pro*C/C++
\lib\msvc	Library files for Pro*C/C++
\mesg	Message files
\misc\proc	Miscellaneous files for Pro*C/C++
\public	Header files

Known Problems, Restrictions, and Workarounds

Although all Windows operating systems allow spaces in file names and directory names, the Oracle Pro*C/C++ and Oracle Pro*COBOL precompilers will not precompile files that include spaces in the filename or directory name. For example, do not use the following formats:

• proc iname=test one.pc
  
  
• proc iname=d:\dir1\second dir\sample1.pc