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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 Window operating systems. Pro*C/C++ enables you to build Oracle database applications in a Win32 environment. Specific topics discussed are:

• What is Pro*C/C++?

• Features

• Restrictions

• Directory Structure

  Note: See the Pro*C/C++ Precompiler Programmer's Guide for additional information.

What is Pro*C/C++?

Pro*C/C++ precompiler allows 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 Net8 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 8.0 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++ release 8.1.6 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, "precomp Directory Structure".

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