| Abbreviation | VCPI |
|---|---|
| Status | Published |
| Year started | 1989 |
| Organization | Phar Lap Software, Quarterdeck Office Systems, A.I. Architects, Lotus Development Corp., Quadram, Qualitas, Rational Systems |
| Domain | Application programming interfaces |
In computing, the Virtual Control Program Interface (VCPI) is a specification published in 1989 by Phar Lap Software that allows a DOS program to run in protected mode, granting access to many features of the processor not available in real mode. It was supplanted by DOS Protected Mode Interface (DPMI) shortly after being introduced, due in large part to VCPI's inability to work in Windows 3.0's protected mode.