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Text File | 1996-07-31 | 22.6 KB | 471 lines

══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ About PowerBASIC 3.x ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ We put the POWER in BASIC! PowerBASIC Awarded PC Magazine's Editor's Choice "BASIC developers who write DOS application expect the same from their programming tools as anyone else does: powerful language syntax, a high-productivity development environment, a fast and efficient compiler, solid documentation, a good selection of third-party tools, and intangibles such as the vendor's dedication to the language and its user base. These are tough criteria, and almost every product we looked at came up short. But not PowerBASIC, Version 3.0. Our Editor's Choice in the DOS category, it delivered in almost every regard." PC MAGAZINE, SEPTEMBER 28, 1993. Instant TSRs, built-in assembler, new data types, BCD variables, direct array operations (sort, scan, insert, delete), fast math, and many BASIC firsts make this the new standard of comparison for BASIC compilers. And PowerBASIC continues to improve with each release because our development team listens to you, our customers. We respond to your needs at every opportunity. Our latest revision offers even tighter, faster code, and the ability to create add-on help files which integrate seamlessly into the PowerBASIC IDE. If you are a DOS BASIC programmer who wants your compiler to continue to improve, PowerBASIC is clearly the upgrade choice. PowerBASIC is nearly 100% compatible with Quick Basic syntax, so the move up to PowerBASIC couldn't be easier. Instant TSRs ------------ Create TSRs in an instant with just five lines of code. A 600K TSR can "pop-down" to a memory image of just 4K, with automatic memory swapping to EMS or virtual disk. TSRs can be activated by practically any stimulus: a hot key, a timer, inactivity, even a message from a foreground program. They can be safely un-installed under internal program control, or by external request. Even BIOS keystroke stuffing is available. In fact, multiple TSRs can activate each other repeatedly, with two-way communication throughout. Built-in Assembler ------------------ Looking for even better performance? The new built-in Assembler may be just what you need. For the first time, you can write Assembler code and mix it with your PowerBASIC code line by line. Hand optimize the most critical sections for absolute performance. PowerBASIC handles all the details automatically. You can reference your variables, parameters, labels and functions by name -- even debug at the CPU register level in the expanded environment. New Data Types -------------- PowerBASIC offers 11 numeric data types, 3 string data types then adds user-defined TYPES and UNIONS as well. There are unsigned byte, word, and double word variables. Integers of 16, 32, and even 64 bits. Single, double, and extended precision floats. Fixed and Floating-point BCD. Fixed, Flex and Dynamic strings. You can even map Flex strings into dynamic structures; they're defined, created, and sized at run-time for true database capability. BCD Variables ------------- Finally you can eliminate round-off errors, even those associated with currency variables in other languages. You aren't forced to 4 decimal places. Instead you make your choice: from 0 to 18 digits. And always with automatic rounding to the precise level of your needs. In PowerBASIC, all BCD variables are implemented as scaled integers for fast calculation. Array Operations ---------------- Built-in Array, Sort, Scan, Insert, and Delete, with optional collate sequencing for international or special character sets. Fast Math --------- An optional procedural float package offers startling speed. Without a numeric co-processor, it's 40% to 50% faster than emulation. Yet it still uses the '87 when available. It's IEEE-compatible, so you can intermix procedural, emulated, or '87 specific code as needed. BASIC Firsts ------------ PowerBASIC was the first to offer both user-defined TYPES and UNIONS, unlimited dynamic strings, a true handle-based string memory manager. There are code pointers (to any sub/function/label), conditional compilation ($IF/$ELSE/$ENDIF), even viewports for screen text display. Then add Huge Arrays (greater than 64K), Absolute Arrays (at a specific address), even EXIT FAR to allow multi-level sub/function exit (beats the LONGJMP in C any day). PowerBASIC 3.1 is the first BASIC to offer optional parameters in your SUBs and FUNCTIONs, as well as 64 bit and unsigned support in your radix values (&H, &B, &O) Structure --------- Create BASIC programs with any level of structure desired. Free-form or absolute, the choice is yours. You can even choose to require variable declaration before use. Another first for PowerBASIC. Bit Operations -------------- PowerBASIC offers a full complement of bit operations including: SHIFT, ROTATE, TEST, SET, RESET, and TOGGLE. Even implied bit arrays of up to 512K bits are supported. Communications -------------- Here's where PowerBASIC shines. Serial port communication is available for COM1 through COM4. BAUD rates up to 115200. Any combination of non-standard IRQ lines. Explicit control of DTR, even after program termination. Automatic error detection or masking is available, with optional flush of erroneous data. New IDE with Mouse Support -------------------------- The new IDE supports a mouse when editing your source code for marking blocks, cutting and pasting. Use true compiled code to develop and debug -- the same code as your .EXE file. So you'll never need to deal with a slow, threaded p-code interpreter. That means faster development, and the elimination of subtle differences between interpreted and compiled results. Third Party Tools ----------------- The most powerful and respected tool kits are available to PowerBASIC users. Libraries from companies like Crescent, Cretive Software Alliance, Ansoft, and others make PowerBASIC the most comprehensive BASIC compiler available today. A superb monthly newsletter (Basically Speaking from Information Management Systems) offers timely advice and examples specifically aimed at the PowerBASIC programmer. In a nutshell, with PowerBASIC, you'll never need to re-invent the wheel. Help and Support ---------------- PowerBASIC includes extensive printed documentation -- close to 700 pages of Programmer's Guide and Reference Guide. Then the context-sensitive on-line help system puts further detail right at your fingertips just when you need it most. Perfect for the novice or the professional developer. Technical support is available from our engineering staff by telephone, mail FAX, BBS, or our POWERBASIC support forum on CompuServe. System Requirements ------------------- IBM(R) PC or compatible with two floppy disk drives, 640K of RAM and DOS 3.0 or greater. ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ About the PowerBASIC Developer Kit for Windows ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ PowerBASIC does Windows! ------------------------ You've waited long enough -- patiently. The PowerBASIC Developer Kit for Windows (PBDK) takes a unique approach to Windows programming. Some language vendors insist that you abandon your current code. Abandon your procedural programming skills. Even abandon true executables for a slow P-Code interpreter! Well, we respectfully disagree! The PBDK was built on these principles: * You have existing DOS BASIC code you wish to re-use under Windows. * You've acquired procedural programming skills and wish to use them where it's appropriate. * Windows may be slow -- don't make it slower with P-Code. Native machine code here! PBDK achieves all of this, then reaches even further. For compatibility with existing code, you can continue to link industry standard object modules (OBJ), as well as newer dynamic link libraries (DLL). Any industry-standard DLL can be used with the PBDK. But truly unique is the ability to run multiple programs concurrently, with true preemptive multi-tasking! That's right, you no longer have to settle for just cooperative multitasking. It never filled most real needs anyway. With the new PBDK, you can now create multiple child tasks running in preemptive multitasking, synchronized through semaphores and common-named memory. For the first time, you can move DOS programs to Windows quickly and easily, as you aren't forced to jump headlong into event-driven programming! With PBDK, the choice is yours: procedural programming, event-driven methods, or even a combination of the two styles. The point is, we don't believe that anyone should dictate programming methods to you. Not us. Not any language publisher. That's simply an issue you need to decide for yourself, based upon your own needs and your own resources. Right about now, you're no doubt wondering just how easy it really is to move a DOS program to the Windows environment. You've probably heard horror stories from programmers who worked and worked, only to finally abandon conversion attempts. I know you've heard them. Hundreds of times. We all know of developers who were forced to rewrite entire applications from scratch, just so they could adapt to a pure event-driven model. Now don't get me wrong, PBDK won't write your code for you. That's your job, as a programmer. But it will give you every tool you need. It will let you retain every line of code not related to the user interface. And it will retain the fast execution speed of native machine code! So just how to you access the Windows interface? It really doesn't get much simpler. Just look at this small example: CALL MessageBox(0, "Stop using slow pcode!",_ "Welcome to PBDK", mbIconStop, code%) This single function call will create a message box with the caption of "Welcome to PBDK". It then displays a red stop-sign icon, and the message "Stop using slow pcode!". Lastly, it displays an "OK" push-button and waits for user input. Upon return, the variable code% will contain a value to describe the user's actions. That's all there is to it! The PBDK includes over 350 functions to access Windows resources like: dialog boxes, menus, controls, printing, clipboard, DDE channels, MDI windows (Multiple Document Interface), drag and drop, metafiles, graphic operations, Windows memory, and much more. However, you can use as few as a dozen of these functions to write your first PBDK application, adding more as your needs grow. Even advanced features are available to you, such as virtual screens, owner draw combo and list boxes, self-resizeable controls and much more. PBDK applications still make full use of the existing third party libraries for PB3, so there is no need to abandon your toolkit investment. The PBDK works in conjunction with PowerBASIC 3.1 (or later). That means that you'll still be able to edit and debug your applications from within the PB3 IDE, and retain the fast execution speed of native machine code. PBDK includes an extensive online help system plus two volumes of printed documentation (over 600 pages) with many examples and screen shots. Best of all, your PBDK applications are 100% royalty free! As a special bonus, if you order today, we'll even include a full copy of the Symantec Resource Toolkit (a $199 value) FREE OF CHARGE. This industry-standard toolkit will let you design Dialog Boxes, Menus, Icons, and Bitmaps for your applications interactively. The PowerBASIC Developer Kit for Windows costs just $149.00 plus shipping. You can order the PBDK today by calling toll free at (800) 780-7707 or (408) 659-8000. You can fax your order to (408) 659-8008, or even mail it. But whatever you do, don't miss out. The new PBDK is simply too good to pass up. As with all PowerBASIC products, there is a 30-day, unconditional money-back guarantee. How can you lose? Please contact us today! System Requirements IBM(R) PC or compatible with hard drive, 4 megabytes of RAM, DOS 3.3 or greater, and Windows 3.1 or later. ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ PowerBASIC PB/Xtra Programmer's Reference Collection ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ You asked for it? You got it -- PB/Xtra II! -------------------------------------------- More PowerBASIC source code than you every thought possible. More than 200 megabytes on CDROM (less on 14-disk subset). There's public domain source code, freeware, shareware utilities and libraries, even commercial demos; all geared to make your PowerBASIC programming faster, easier, more productive. Communications -------------- How can I best use PowerBASIC's extensive communication support? PB/Xtra has a complete BBS package, including source code, that supports public message areas, private E-mail, file transfers and even more. Plus, if you need a terminal program to dial out, you get a shareware library which supports 16 simultaneous ports, Xmodem, Ymodem, Ymodem-G and Zmodem file transfers at speeds up to 115200 baud. Graphics -------- How do I use more graphics for business or game programming? PB/Xtra gives you libraries and public domain source code for Super VGA graphics, fonts, super-fast sprite animation, and bitmap graphics display capabilities. User Interfaces --------------- How about user interface code? PB/Xtra has that covered as well. There's source code for graphic and text modes, menus, dialog boxes, mouse handling, and much more. Databases --------- Any database tools for PowerBASIC? We've got freeware source to fast B-Tree and Novell B-Trieve indexing and dBase database access. Programming Information ----------------------- How can I improve my programming skills? There's information about BIOS and DOS interrupts, strategic memory maps of the operating system, and even an introduction to assembler programming. Utilities --------- How about programming utilities? Cross-referencing, documentation processing, source code formatting, source code printing and text file editing utilities are all in there. Commercial Demos ---------------- What third party toolkits are available for PowerBASIC? We've included demos of many of the most popular ones from vendors like Genus Microprogramming, T.N.T. Software, Information Management Systems, Creative Software Alliance, and many more. Installer/Browser File Manager ------------------------------ How to manage 200 megabytes of resources? We've thought of that, too. With the PB/Xtra Installer/Browser you won't wade through cryptic file names. Instead you'll view a clear description of each and every file in the collection. Tag one or a hundred; they're automatically installed file-by-file. Much, Much More --------------- How much more can there be? If that isn't enough, there's a utility to convert QB source to the PowerBASIC dialect, others for source code formatting, cross referencing, text editing, accessing EMS/XMS memory, and file compression. There's so much more that it's impossible to list it all here. Simply put, PB/Xtra is the best collection of PowerBASIC resources to be found anywhere. And it's been carefully selected and organized to make it easy for you to choose and use. It's just like having your own personal PowerBASIC BBS-In-A-Box! System Requirements ------------------- IBM(R) PC or compatible, 640k RAM, DOS 3.3 or later, CDROM drive or 3.5 inch disk drive. ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ SoftCode for PowerBASIC An Automatic PB Code Generator! ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ Here's exciting news for PowerBASIC programmers ... a brand new version of the award winning SoftCode program generator. Build professional code quicker and easier than ever! Design your program screens. Layout data entry screens. Build complete menu structures. Create indexed databases. Even specify Hot-Keys to operate your program. Then sit back while SoftCode writes the PowerBASIC source code for you. Visual Design Tools ------------------- SoftCode comes with a complete set of visual design tools. Starting with the Screen Designer and Application Outliner, you visually build the basics of an application -- the screens and menus. Action Objects -------------- Next, tell your application what to do by attaching Actions to menu choices and Hot-Keys. Then, add database, user interface, and other operations automatically. Piece by piece you construct an application tailored to your needs. Insert as much custom code as you wish, or none at all. Now, you're ready to generate PowerBASIC source code. Add a final keystroke and the code's complete, ready to compile and execute -- 100% PowerBASIC source code to do with as you please. Advanced Template Technology ---------------------------- SoftCode is a Template-Based code generator. Template technology gives you precise control over the code generation process. You can customize the templates; even create your own. SoftCode creates code just the way you want it. Generate 100% Source Code ------------------------- Softcode handles any task: from a small "plug-in" module to a complete menu-driven database application. It never requires external libraries. The Application Designer is simple to use, yet generates powerful applications. You can visually design pull-down, pop-up and horizontal menus, pick lists, and data-entry screens. Bullet Proof Data Validation ---------------------------- SoftCode lets you validate data by range, required characters, file or list checking, pictures and more. It even calculates a field value based upon other fields and custom formulas. Complete Database Operations ---------------------------- SoftCode can add, edit, delete, copy, or search a record. It supports multiple indexes, user-switchable indexes, reindexing and packing of data files. FREE Add-Ons ------------ Speed Screen(TM), is a screen display engine that lets you display the screens created in SoftCode using special effects like slides, pushes, pulls, explodes and more. Use it to add great special effects and emphasis to your programs. When you generate code with SoftCode, you can opt to have Speed Screen support added automatically. You can even add it to your existing PowerBASIC applications. QuickFonts(TM), offers 20 new fonts for DOS. Use them with any text-mode application running on a VGA/EGA monitor. System Requirements ------------------- PowerBASIC v3.1 or later, MS-DOS 3.3 or later, hard disk drive. ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ Contacting PowerBASIC, Inc. ══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ PowerBASIC, Inc. 316 Mid Valley Center Carmel, CA 93923 (800) 780-7707 Orders Only (408) 659-8000 Voice / International (408) 659-8008 Fax (408) 659-7401 BBS CompuServe: GO POWERBASIC; section 12 75300,1742; Sales 73621,2613; Marketing Internet: info@powerbasic.com sales@powerbasic.com Word Wide Web: http://www.powerbasic.com