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Pro*C/C++ Getting Started 10g Release 2 (10.2) for Microsoft Windows (32-Bit) Part Number B14321-01 |
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# 1 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++ 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

- Can be deployed in Instant Client environments. For more information, refer to the OCI Instant Client documentation.

- 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

Note: The `\precomp` directory can contain files for other products, such as Pro*COBOL.

### 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`