1 Introducing Pro*C/C++

1.1 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.

1.2 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.

  
  

1.3 Restrictions

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

1.4 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.