Users who boot to 16 Bit DOS have many free DOS compilers and free DOS assemblers to chose from. The DOS compilers and DOS assemblers listed below execute in 16 Bit DOS but the DOS assemblers will also assemble for `386 only' mode if that is what you require. DOS compilers and DOS assemblers not listed on this page may be as good as or even better. I have listed those that I have used myself or friends have recommended to me.

BORLAND - DOS Turbo C v2.01, DOS Turbo C++ v1.01 and v1.50 - DOS Turbo Pascal v1.0, v3.02, and v5.5 - all of these are now freeware (requires login). I purchased the DOS version of Borland's Turbo ANSI C++ v1.01 Professional (the Turbo Assembler and Profiler come with it) back when it was state-of-the-art and continue to use it by modifying MAKE files in archives. It is very Microsoft C compatible and usually works if I get the MAKE file rewritten properly. Borland's C++ v1.01 will install and compile code on an XT, not sure about the others? I know it works because that's where it was orginally installed, on my XT.

PACIFIC - ANSI C compiler and IDE, formerly shareware now freeware (v7.51, 1996). From HI-TECH: "This compiler is MS-DOS, not Windows, based, but it will run in a DOS box under Win3.11 ...". Early versions were K&R compatible and a very small install (as compilers go). Used the Pacific C compiler to test code in the K&R book describing the C language. Some of the code doesn't compile if typed in exactly as printed because the book is wrong, not the compiler.

NASM - NASM- Netwide Assembler. Free portable assembler for the Intel 80x86 microprocessor series, which uses the traditional Intel instruction mnemonics and syntax and is portable between operating systems and hardware platforms, assembling and executing on MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows NT, OS/2, Linux and other Unix clones on 8086, Alpha, SPARC and RiscPC hardware. Authors: Simon Tatham, Julian Hall.

SLC - A BASIC compiler by the author of TOFFEE the IRC client, MOONROCK, and JAFFA the DOS based web server.

OBERON - If you find this legacy friendly OS/Compiler leave it where you found it. With a heritage as next-gen MODULA2 it's tempting but with ETH's child-like "maintainers" I fear Oberon will never become a fully realized OS or language for the real world and the LINZ version is no longer being developed.