I've now found a "
Work Around" for the problem, which I think will also help to define the problem.
My original aim was to create a compiler template to produce Watcom dos16 applications using both wcl.exe and wlink.exe.
Working on a fresh copy of XP (SP3) and a fresh CB 8.02 install, I would:-
1. Create a copy of "OpenWatcom (W32) Compiler" template and name it "Copy1".
2. Modify the "Copy1" template with the necessary changes to build a Dos16 App.
3. Create a new Dos console project "wd1" specifying the "Copy1" template for the compiler.
The Problem............The full command would be reported as I expected it to look, but the
build would fail but without reporting any actual results or warnings or errors.
The "Work Around".........1. Modify the original "OpenWatcom (W32) Compiler" template with the necessary changes to build a Dos16 App.
2. Create a copy of the "modified" "OpenWatcom (W32) Compiler" template and name it "Copy2".
3. Create a new Dos console project "wd1" specifying the "Copy2" or the modified "OpenWatcom (W32) Compiler" template for the compiler.
The build will now work correctly, and report results and any actual warnings or errors correctly if any are introduced to the source files.
I have not tested the "work around" on CB 20.05, only on CB 8.05
After I install CB 20.05 I have to apply a patch
https://forums.codeblocks.org/index.php/topic,23924.msg167864.html#msg167864to the installation before it will run
It would seem that CB 25.03 may also need a similar patch to run on XP
A message box appeared similar to:- api-ms-win-crt-convert-l1-1-0.dll was not found.
***********************
In 2000 I was acutely embarrassed when trying demonstrate some bespoke software
to a room full of executives, only to be met with a message msvc runtime dll not found.
After that I bought a PC for testing only, and invested in a copy of Installshield.
Soon after that I experimented in copying OS's to harddisks with multiple primaries, to speed
up the process of obtaining fresh OS test installations. I briefly described my method here :-
https://www.xpforums.com/threads/open-file-security-warning-do-you-want-to-open-this-file.935598/#post-3274916Although it's still a pain to test with each OS, at least it can
usually still be done on the same development PC,
and only takes about 5 minutes per OS to get the answer to "will it run?".