Q31881: LINK /PAC and /F Options Are Not Supported by BASIC Compiler

Article: Q31881
Product(s): See article
Version(s): 6.00 6.00b 7.00
Operating System(s): MS-DOS
Keyword(s): ENDUSER | B_QuickBas | mspl13_basic
Last Modified: 2-FEB-1990

The /F (far call translation) and /PAC (packcode) options of LINK.EXE
Version 5.01.20 should not be used with BASIC programs.

The LINK section on Pages 276-278 of the "Microsoft CodeView and
Utilities: Software Development Tools for MS-DOS" manual states that
if the /F and /PAC options are used together, slightly faster code and
smaller executable file size are generated.

This process is performed by directing the linker to group together
neighboring code segments and by optimizing far CALLs.

However, this information does not apply to BASIC. When you link
compiled BASIC routines with LINK /F/PAC, the executable .EXE file
size remains the same as the .EXE file size when linked without these
options, and speed is not increased.

This information applies to the BC.EXE that comes with QuickBASIC
Versions 4.00, 4.00b, and 4.50, to Microsoft BASIC Compiler Versions
6.00 and 6.00b for MS-DOS and MS OS/2, and to Microsoft BASIC
Professional Development System (PDS) Version 7.00 for MS-DOS and MS
OS/2.

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