Write, compile, and run Turbo C++ graphics.h programs — in your browser or VS Code

_{Zero setup  ·  No DOSBox  ·  No installers  ·  Works offline}

  

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📖 What is this?

graphics.h is Borland's DOS-era graphics library, bundled with Turbo C++ since 1992. Three decades on, it remains a required part of the CS curriculum for hundreds of thousands of engineering students — particularly across India.

The problem is getting it to run on a modern machine. The typical path: hunt down an old installer, configure DOSBox, debug why nothing renders. You spend more time fighting the environment than writing code.

This project fixes that. It runs the real TCC.EXE (Turbo C++ 3.0) inside DOSBox compiled to WebAssembly — entirely in the browser, entirely client-side. Write code, hit Run, see graphics. Zero setup.

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🌐 Online Compiler

→ graphicsh.online/compiler

Smart editor, instant compilation, live graphics output — all in the browser. No account required.

✍️ Write Code → Click Run → See Output

_{CodeMirror 6 editor with C++ syntax highlighting, autocomplete, and inline docs for all 99 graphics.h functions.}

☁️ Save Your Work to the Cloud

_{Sign in with Google to organise programs into folders, synced across all your devices.}

 📋 Full feature list

Feature	Details
🔧 Genuine Turbo C++ 3.0	Runs the real TCC.EXE inside DOSBox WASM — pixel-perfect, authentic output
📚 Full API coverage	All 99 functions: initgraph, circle, arc, bar3d, floodfill, fonts, and more
✏️ Smart editor	Autocomplete, parameter hints, syntax highlighting, and hover docs for every function
☁️ Cloud sync	Save programs to the cloud with Google Sign-In — synced across devices
📶 Offline support	Cached after first load. Compile and run with no internet connection.
📦 Standalone build	Single HTML file (~8 MB) — no server, no internet needed

Tip

Need something portable? The standalone unified build is a single self-contained HTML file — download it once, run it anywhere, forever offline. Read the technical breakdown →

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VS Code Extension

Two compilation backends. One keyboard shortcut. Compile and run graphics.h programs without leaving your editor.

⚙️ Mode 1 · Turbo C++ (DOSBox Webview)

_{Compiles using real Turbo C++ 3.0 in an integrated webview panel. Pixel-perfect DOS graphics — works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.}

⚡ Mode 2 · WinBGI (Native Windows)

_{Compiles via MinGW-w64 (GCC 11.5.0) to a native executable with a real Win32 graphics window. Toolchain auto-installs on first use.}

⚖️ Choosing a Mode

	⚙️ Turbo C++ Mode	⚡ WinBGI Mode
Platform	Windows · macOS · Linux	Windows only
Output	Integrated webview	Native Win32 window
Compiler	TCC.EXE (Turbo C++ 3.0)	GCC 11.5.0 via MinGW
Compatibility	100% TCC faithful	Most programs
Setup	None	Auto-installs toolchain
Best for	Cross-platform · exact TCC output	Windows · native rendering

 📋 Full feature list

Feature	Details
🔀 Dual compilation	Switch between Turbo C++ DOSBox and native WinBGI on the fly
🔄 Auto setup	MinGW-w64 downloads and configures itself automatically on first use
⌨️ Keyboard shortcut	Ctrl + Alt + N to compile and run instantly
🔴 Error diagnostics	GCC errors highlighted inline in your editor and in the Problems panel
🖥️ Cross-platform	Windows (native + DOSBox), macOS (DOSBox), Linux (via Wine)
📊 Status bar controls	Run and stop right from the VS Code status bar

📥 Install

Get it from the VS Code Marketplace →, or:

# via terminal
code --install-extension AlbatrossC.graphics-h-compiler

# or: Ctrl+Shift+X  →  search "graphics.h compiler"  →  Install

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💻 Quick Example

Paste this into the online compiler and hit Run:

#include <graphics.h>
#include <conio.h>

int main() {
    int gd = DETECT, gm;
    initgraph(&gd, &gm, "");

    setcolor(YELLOW);
    circle(320, 240, 100);              // Yellow circle

    setcolor(LIGHTCYAN);
    rectangle(200, 120, 440, 360);      // Cyan rectangle

    setcolor(LIGHTGREEN);
    line(100, 50, 540, 430);            // Green diagonal

    setcolor(WHITE);
    outtextxy(250, 420, "It works!");

    getch();
    closegraph();
    return 0;
}

That's TCC.EXE from 1992, compiled to WebAssembly, rendering graphics in your browser.

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🖥️ Running Locally

Prerequisites: Git  ·  Node.js v18+  ·  Python 3

# 1. Clone
git clone https://github.com/AlbatrossC/graphics-h-compiler.git
cd graphics-h-compiler

# 2. Install dependencies & build
npm install
npm run build
# Calls build-tools/build.py → bundles everything into dist/

# 3. Serve
cd dist && npx serve .
# → http://localhost:3000/compiler

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🧰 Tech Stack

Layer	Technology
Compiler engine	Turbo C++ 3.0 (TCC.EXE) via js-dos (DOSBox WASM)
Code editor	CodeMirror 6 with C++ language support
Bundler	esbuild
Build	Python build script + npm
VS Code extension	TypeScript, Webview API, MinGW-w64 (GCC 11.5.0)
Hosting	Cloudflare Workers

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🛠️ Developer Docs

Section	Link	Covers
Online Compiler	Docs →	JS-DOS WASM integration, CodeMirror config, deployment
VS Code Extension	Docs →	Extension architecture, Turbo C / WinBGI modes, packaging

Contributions welcome — open an issue or send a PR.

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Made with frustration and love by AlbatrossC

If this saved you from a DOSBox config spiral, a ⭐ on GitHub means a lot.