Playing PCM Samples

[Limne]

Hi, I'm trying to get started on some audio programming. I've written a program that synthesizes a PCM sample of a square wave. Now I'm wondering how I can get windows to actually play the sample through my speakers or headphones. I'd prefer to avoid external libraries if at all possible.

[modoran]

You could use WASAPI or oldest waveOut APIs:
http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/windowsapps/Windows-Audio-Session-22dcab6b
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd371455(v=vs.85).aspx
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd797970(v=vs.85).aspx

[Ramses12]

Does DirectX and OpenAL count as external libraries? :P

[xismn]

OpenAL is deprecated AFAIK.

If you want to write .wav PCM data to disk, it's simply a matter of studying the RIFF wave header.
Read this thread:
http://www.cplusplus.com/forum/general/109119/

If you want to stream PCM audio in real time, you can use FMOD or BASS. I prefer BASS, because FMOD had some mysterious latency issues.