modern alternatives of abswrite() in c++

[cent91]

hello everyone. i read about the functions abswrite() or absread() etc, but these fucntions are not supported in modern compilers. i would like to know what are the modern alternatives of these functions in c++?? btw i am using visual studio 2010 and rad studio xe.

[NathanOliver]

What are you trying to do where you need these functions?

[Narue]

What do you need those functions for? Are you modernizing a virus? ;)

[cent91]

not really. viruses are a far far huge thing. i just wanna have some power to read and write directly at the disk on basis of sectors and tracks etc.

[Narue]

i just wanna have some power to read and write directly at the disk on basis of sectors and tracks etc.

My initial reaction is "Why do you want to do that?". But it's not as if the Windows API doesn't provide low level device support: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/100027
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa363858%28v=vs.85%29.aspx
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa363219%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

It's just that need for that kind of support is fairly rare. Let's just say I'm interested in what you're doing because it sounds intriguing. :) It's not often that people ask how to read and write hard disk geometry on this forum.

[cent91]

ahan :) i would like to learn much more than that. btw i need some advice if u dont mind. i am a student of computer science, i have gained basic skills of c++ and all that. made some text mode games that look and feel great (upto my level) if u wanna check here is the link http://adf.ly/19013/space .. the thing is that should i go for web programming or should i go for .net?? i dont find web programming much interesting. i love to program with c++ but i wanna move on? is it the right time to jump to c#? if so what books shouls i consult? thanks.