TurboBAT
TurboBAT (also written TurboBat; long name: Turbo Batch Compiler or Turbo Batch File Compiler) is a compiler that converts a DOS Batch file to a DOS COM file.
It was developed by Foley Hi-Tech Systems (v1.00-3.24), later by HyperWare (v5.00-5.01). It was sometimes distributed by itself, and sometimes as part of a suite named ExtraDOS Toolbox.
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Discussion
TurboBAT pretty clearly started life as a rebranded copy of BAT2EXEC v1.2.
Note that TurboBAT has its own version number, not synchronized with the version number of ExtraDOS Toolbox.
The shareware versions produce files that have a nag message and a delay, making them basically useless. Known exceptions, with no nag message, are v1.00 and v3.00 beta A.
Pristine files made by the shareware versions are unlikely to be found in the wild. "Cracked" versions of TurboBAT exist, with the nag message disabled.
Identification
Files made by v1.00 are difficult or impossible to distinguish from BAT2EXEC.
Otherwise, the following byte pattern appears in the file:
fc bd ?? ?? 8b 6e 00 8b 66 02 8b 5e 04 b4 4a cd 21 a1 2c 00 89 46
Note the similarity to BAT2EXEC#Identification.
The pattern is at offset 0 for v3.00 beta A (maybe also registered versions?).
It's at offset 181 for other shareware v2.20-3.14. It's at offset 175 for shareware v3.15-5.01.
Software
- TurboBAT shareware (selected versions)
- v1.00 (part of ExtraDOS 2.02): XDOS202.ZIP
- v2.31: TBAT231.ZIP
- v3.00 beta A: BATCH2_2.ZIP → TURBOBAT.*
- v3.02 (part of ExtraDOS 3.69): XDOS369.ZIP
- v3.24: TBT324.ZIP
- v5.00: tbt500.zip
- v5.01: DP TOOL CLUB CD ASCQ → CD_ASCQ_29_040596.iso → DOS/TOOLS/TBT501.ZIP
Sample files
- DC_SCRN.ZIP → DALLAS.COM (hacked)
- MMAGIC.ZIP → MMAGIC.ZIP → MMAGIC/{1.COM, MENU.COM, SEE.COM} (hacked)
Unconfirmed files that might be from TurboBAT, or might just be from something similar:
