Difference between revisions of "QuickBASIC"
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[[Image:QuickBASIC - DOS - USA.jpg|thumb|256x256px|QuickBASIC.]] | [[Image:QuickBASIC - DOS - USA.jpg|thumb|256x256px|QuickBASIC.]] | ||
| − | '''QuickBASIC''' is a [[BASIC]] [[computer programming|programming language]] developed by [[Microsoft]] derived from their earlier [[GW-BASIC]] titles, and first released in 1985. The name was possibly meant to piggyback on the success of [[Borland]]'s [[Turbo Pascal]]. It began simply as a BASIC compiler, but by its final version it had grown into a full integrated development environment | + | '''QuickBASIC''' is a [[BASIC]] [[computer programming|programming language]] developed by [[Microsoft]] derived from their earlier [[GW-BASIC]] titles, and first released in 1985. The name was possibly meant to piggyback on the success of [[Borland]]'s [[Turbo Pascal]]. It began simply as a BASIC compiler, but by its final version it had grown into a full [[integrated development environment|IDE]] which combined the compiler, linker, debugger, and extensive help and example programs. Several versions were released but the most popular release was 4.5. [[MS-DOS]] 5.0 and greater came with a crippled version of QuickBASIC 4 called QBASIC which didn't include the compiler or linker. QuickBASIC code compiled into machine code and could be run in 16-bit MS-DOS without needing to include run times. The last official build of QuickBASIC was 4.5, but a version of 7.1 was released under the name Microsoft BASIC Professional Development System, although it was essentially the same program. |
As Microsoft began to focus more and more on [[Windows 3]], it ceased development for DOS-based programming languages and created [[Visual Basic]]. Command-line BASIC continues to see some development with languages like [[FreeBASIC]] and [[QB64]]. | As Microsoft began to focus more and more on [[Windows 3]], it ceased development for DOS-based programming languages and created [[Visual Basic]]. Command-line BASIC continues to see some development with languages like [[FreeBASIC]] and [[QB64]]. | ||
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* The program isn't just a compiler, it's a full-fledged IDE. | * The program isn't just a compiler, it's a full-fledged IDE. | ||
* The IDE automatically refactors functions to be all uppercase and fixes variables to match the case when you change them. | * The IDE automatically refactors functions to be all uppercase and fixes variables to match the case when you change them. | ||
| − | * The IDE runs single-line compiling whenever you move the cursor off a line so | + | * The IDE runs single-line compiling whenever you move the cursor off a line so it identifies obvious bugs right when they happen. |
* The program comes with a linker as well which allows you to import libraries from other languages. | * The program comes with a linker as well which allows you to import libraries from other languages. | ||
| + | * The language is [[case sensitivity|case-insenstive]]. | ||
===Bad=== | ===Bad=== | ||
| − | * Program execution is especially slow. Without resorting to assembly libraries, you won't be able to write any programs that rely heavily on graphics or | + | * Program execution is especially slow. Without resorting to assembly libraries, you won't be able to write any programs that rely heavily on graphics, sound, or anything which needs direct hardware access. |
| − | * The Screen command doesn't let you specify screen modes directly | + | * The Screen command doesn't let you specify screen modes directly. For example, if you set the screen to 0, you will get different resolutions and features if the PC on which you're running has monochrome, [[Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]], or [[Enhanced Graphics Adapter|EGA]] display. And, even though EGA has back-support for CGA resolutions, you aren't permitted to access them. |
===Ugly=== | ===Ugly=== | ||
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* [[Media:QuickBASIC (Multiple Versions).zip|Download]] ([[:File:QuickBASIC (Multiple Versions).zip|Info]]) - Several different versions of QuickBASIC and QBASIC. | * [[Media:QuickBASIC (Multiple Versions).zip|Download]] ([[:File:QuickBASIC (Multiple Versions).zip|Info]]) - Several different versions of QuickBASIC and QBASIC. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Media== |
| + | ===Books=== | ||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | Learning to Use Microsoft QuickBASIC - Programming in BASIC.pdf|''Learning to Use Microsoft QuickBASIC: Programming in BASIC''. | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Screenshots=== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
QuickBASIC v4.5 - DOS - Screenshot - Title (8x16).png|QuickBASIC v4.5 IDE (8x16). | QuickBASIC v4.5 - DOS - Screenshot - Title (8x16).png|QuickBASIC v4.5 IDE (8x16). | ||
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[[Category: Software]] | [[Category: Software]] | ||
[[Category: Programming Languages]] | [[Category: Programming Languages]] | ||
| + | [[Category: Integrated Development Environments]] | ||
[[Category: DOS Software]] | [[Category: DOS Software]] | ||
| − | |||
Latest revision as of 15:12, 18 August 2022
QuickBASIC is a BASIC programming language developed by Microsoft derived from their earlier GW-BASIC titles, and first released in 1985. The name was possibly meant to piggyback on the success of Borland's Turbo Pascal. It began simply as a BASIC compiler, but by its final version it had grown into a full IDE which combined the compiler, linker, debugger, and extensive help and example programs. Several versions were released but the most popular release was 4.5. MS-DOS 5.0 and greater came with a crippled version of QuickBASIC 4 called QBASIC which didn't include the compiler or linker. QuickBASIC code compiled into machine code and could be run in 16-bit MS-DOS without needing to include run times. The last official build of QuickBASIC was 4.5, but a version of 7.1 was released under the name Microsoft BASIC Professional Development System, although it was essentially the same program.
As Microsoft began to focus more and more on Windows 3, it ceased development for DOS-based programming languages and created Visual Basic. Command-line BASIC continues to see some development with languages like FreeBASIC and QB64.
Contents
Personal
The majority of my formative programming learning was done using QuickBASIC. I have probably spent over 1,000 hours playing around with QuickBASIC over the years, the majority of my time was spent writing games that I never finished.
Reviews
Good
- The program isn't just a compiler, it's a full-fledged IDE.
- The IDE automatically refactors functions to be all uppercase and fixes variables to match the case when you change them.
- The IDE runs single-line compiling whenever you move the cursor off a line so it identifies obvious bugs right when they happen.
- The program comes with a linker as well which allows you to import libraries from other languages.
- The language is case-insenstive.
Bad
- Program execution is especially slow. Without resorting to assembly libraries, you won't be able to write any programs that rely heavily on graphics, sound, or anything which needs direct hardware access.
- The Screen command doesn't let you specify screen modes directly. For example, if you set the screen to 0, you will get different resolutions and features if the PC on which you're running has monochrome, CGA, or EGA display. And, even though EGA has back-support for CGA resolutions, you aren't permitted to access them.
Ugly
- The compiler can't compile BASIC files over 640K. You can use the linker to make larger EXEs, but it becomes a pain.
Download
Media
Books
Learning to Use Microsoft QuickBASIC: Programming in BASIC.
Screenshots
QuickBASIC v4.5 IDE (8x16).
QuickBASIC v4.5 IDE (9x16).
Source code.
Internal help example.
Sorting demo.
Mandelbrot example.
Torus example.
MS-DOS 5 included game: QBASIC Gorillas.
MS-DOS 5 included game: QBASIC Nibbles.
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Links
