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Text File | 1996-07-31 | 15.8 KB | 332 lines

═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ Welcome to FirstBasic by PowerBASIC We put the "Power" in "Basic" ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ This README file contains information that will be useful and of interest to you. Please read it in its entirety, referring to it if you encounter any problems. ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Table of contents ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Section 1 What is FirstBasic Section 3: Registration of FirstBasic Section 3: How to get help with FirstBasic Section 4: Hardware & Software Requirements Section 5: Running the compiler Section 6: The examples Section 7: Glossary of terms Section 8: Other PowerBASIC Products ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Section 1: What is FirstBasic ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── FirstBasic is a true compiler for DOS Basic programmers, not a slow interpreter like GW Basic, QBasic or even Visual Basic. It compiles Basic source code files (.BAS) into fast, machine code executables (.EXE), which can then be run from the DOS command line. You can even distribute your executables to others without fear of anyone gaining access to your source code. FirstBasic provides a complete development environment, with an integrated editor, debugger, compiler and object linker, as well as a command-line version for batch mode operation. If you're new to Basic, you'll find that the extensive context-sensitive help system and online user's manual will have you developing applications in no time. Intermediate to advanced users will love the new performance features in FirstBasic. But that's not all. With FirstBasic, you get: - Unlimited string space (no more 64k limit) - Powerful flex strings which let you create data structures dynamically at run-time. - Lightning fast array sort, scan, insert and delete, etc. - Highly accurate BCD math variables for financial applications. - Support for both 8088/8086 and 80286 code generation. - And the list goes on... FirstBasic is not FreeWare, nor is it public domain. FirstBasic is distributed as shareware (see the glossary of terms for a definition of Shareware, Freeware, etc.). This means that you can try FirstBasic for a period not to exceed 30 days, before you register it (See the license agreement for more details). Try it out, share it with your friends. If, at the end of the evaluation period, you decide to continue using FirstBasic, you must register your copy (see ORDER.TXT for an order form). See for yourself how we put the "Power" in "Basic". ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Section 2: Registration of FirstBasic ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Why should I register? ---------------------- When you register your copy of FirstBasic, you will receive the following: - A disk containing: - The REGISTERED version of FirstBasic. - FBC.EXE, the command-line compiler. - FBINST.EXE, the customization utility for FirstBasic. - A complete online user's guide - More source code examples. - Notification of new offerings and product upgrades. - A free subscription to the PowerBASIC gazette. How do I register? ------------------ Registration of FirstBasic costs only $25. You can register in one of the following ways: - By calling the order desk at 1-800-780-7707 with a credit card. - By filling out and mailing the included order form, and returning it with a check, money order, or credit card number and expiration date, to the address below: PowerBASIC, Inc. 316 Mid Valley Center Carmel, CA 93923 - By using the online order form on our World Wide Web page at http://www.powerbasic.com What else can I get? -------------------- After you register your copy of FirstBasic, you are eligible to upgrade to the full PowerBASIC product, complete with a 2-volume documentation set, for only $99.00 (that's a $25 saving). An upgrade to the full product gets you, among other things: - The current version of the full PowerBASIC compiler, complete with two manuals (a User's Guide and a Reference Guide). That version of the compiler, which retails for $149, was awarded PC Magazine's Editor's Choice award. Some of its most prominent features are: - Instant TSRs (5 lines of code) - A built-in assembler - Unlimited dynamic strings - Extended data types, including user-defined TYPEs and UNIONs - Extended COMM support with 16550 FIFO support. - Support for non-standard COMM port addresses and IRQs. - Code and data pointers - Conditional compilation - Huge arrays (greater than 64K) - Absolute Arrays (at a specific address) - Optional parameters in Basic subs and functions, etc. - New IDE with Mouse Support - A command-line compiler (callable from batch or make files) - A librarian (for building libraries of .OBJ and unit files) - A standalone debugger (allows you to debug larger programs) - Technical support by mail, fax, Compuserve, Internet, BBS or voice. See the file UPGRADE.TXT for more info on what is included in the full product. ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Section 3: How to get help with FirstBasic ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── While in the FirstBasic IDE, help is only a keystroke away. Just hit F1 to bring up the online help. If the cursor happens to be on a FirstBasic keyword, hitting Ctl-F1 will take you to the help page for that keyword. Technical support via telephone or Fax is only available to registered owners of PowerBASIC 3.0 or later. The online help file (press the F1 key when inside of the editor) contains product and ordering info for PowerBASIC 3. PowerBASIC has users in nearly every country and on every continent. You can share tips with many of them through the Internet or by using an online service such as CompuServe or America Online. If you have access to the Internet you will find discussions on FirstBasic programming in the Usenet newsgroups "alt.lang.basic" and "comp.lang.basic.misc". If you have a web browser you can connect to http://www.powerbasic.com which contains product information and answers to many frequently asked technical support questions. If you are a CompuServe member you can join our support forum, by typing GO POWERBASIC (section 12), to find discussions on FirstBasic programming. The forum library also contains lots of sample code for all versions of PowerBASIC. If you are an America Online member you can use the DEVELOPMENT keyword to locate the forum for software development. FirstBasic discussions can be found in the Turbo Basic/PowerBASIC folder. You can also dial directly into the PowerBASIC Support BBS by calling 408-659-7401. It contains lots of example source code for all versions of FirstBasic and many useful discussions and tips. PowerBASIC, Inc. publishes the PowerBASIC Gazette, a newsletter which is available at no cost, to registered customers. This newsletter contains the latest information on products from PowerBASIC as well as programming tips and answers to many frequently asked technical support questions. To get a free subscription you can contact PowerBASIC by mail, telephone, fax, or email: PowerBASIC, Inc. 316 Mid Valley Center Carmel, CA 93923 1-800-780-7707 (sales) 1-408-659-8000 (Intl. Sales,) 1-408-659-8008 (Fax) CompuServe: 73621, 2613 Internet: sales@powerbasic.com http://www.powerbasic.com ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Section 4: Hardware & Software Requirements ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Hardware requirements --------------------- FirstBasic is provided in compressed format on one 1.4M floppy diskette. To install FirstBasic, you will need an IBM compatible PC with a 640K or more of RAM, and a 3.5 inch high-density (1.44 MB) floppy drive (hard disk recommended). Software requirements --------------------- The FirstBasic compiler, as well as applications written with FirstBasic, require DOS version 3.0 or higher. ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Section 5: Running the Compiler ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── You run the FirstBasic compiler by typing FIRSTBAS at the DOS prompt. You can also type FIRSTBAS followed by the name of a Basic source file to load into the editor. If you specify a filename, FirstBasic will automatically load that file into the editor, ready to be edited/compiled/executed. You exit the compiler by typing Alt-X, or Alt-F to bring up the file menu and then "Q" to Quit. The active function keys are always listed at the bottom of the screen. ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Section 6: The examples ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── FirstBasic ships with the following sample source files to get you started: Filename Description ------------ -------------------------------------------- BALL BAS A graphical program to simulate a bouncing ball CAPS BAS Utility to toggle the Caps Lock on and off HANOI BAS The towers of hanoi MUSIC BAS A demonstration of sound capabilities NUM BAS Utility to toggle the Num Lock on and off ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Section 7: Glossary of terms ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── What is Shareware? ------------------ "Shareware" is a distribution method and is usually copyrighted software which is distributed by authors through bulletin boards, on-line services, disk vendors, and copies passed among friends. It is commercial software which you are allowed to use and evaluate before paying for it. FirstBasic is distributed as shareware. What is Public Domain? ---------------------- "Public domain" has a very specific legal meaning. It covers the creator of a work (in this case, software), who has legal ownership of that work, and has given up ownership and dedicated the work "to the public domain". Once something is in the public domain, anyone can use it in any way they choose. The author has no control over the use and cannot demand payment for it. If you find a program which the author has explicitly put into the public domain, you are free to use it however you see fit without paying for the right to do so. But use caution - due to the confusion over the meaning of the words, programs are often described by authors as being "public domain" when, in fact, they are shareware or free, copyrighted software (freeware). To be sure a program is public domain, you should look for an explicit statement from the author to that effect. FirstBasic is not Public Domain. What is Copyrighted/Freeware? ----------------------------- "Copyrighted" is the opposite of public domain. A copyrighted program is one in which the author has asserted his or her legal right to control the program's use and distribution by placing the legally required copyright notices in the program and documentation. The law gives copyright owners broad rights to restrict how their work is distributed. It also provides penalties for those who violate these restrictions. When you find a program which is copyrighted, you must use it in accordance with the copyright owner's restrictions regarding distribution and payment. Usually, these are clearly stated in the program documentation. FirstBasic is copyrighted software. Maintaining a copyright does not necessarily imply charging a fee. It is possible, and perfectly legal, to have copyrighted programs which are distributed free of charge (freeware). The fact that a program is free, however, does not mean it is in the public domain - though this is a common confusion. ═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ Section 8: Other PowerBASIC products ═════════════════════════════════════════════════╤═══════════════════════════ PowerBASIC, Inc. │ 800-780-7707 Orders 316 Mid Valley Center │ 408-659-8000 Voice Carmel, Ca 93923 │ 408-659-8008 Fax │ CIS ID# 75300,1742 PowerBASIC Compiler for DOS $149.00 │ info@powerbasic.com PC Magazine's Editors' Choice for best DOS BASIC │ compiler. Competitive upgrade pricing available │ ON COMPUSERVE, GO POWERBASIC for Microsoft BASIC, C, and Pascal programmers. │ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ http://www.powerbasic.com PowerBASIC Developer Kit for Windows $149.00 │ Add-on library which allows your DOS programs to │ access the Windows API and DLLs. Use truetype │ fonts, graphical dialogs, 256 color bitmaps, │ DDE, and more from within your existing BASIC │ programs. │ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ PB/Xtra Programmer's Reference Collection $49.00 │ Megabytes of example source code, third-party │ add on libraries, utilities, and programming │ information for PowerBASIC programmers. Add │ 256 color VGA graphics, graphical and text mode │ user interfaces, fast b-tree indexing and .DBF │ support, and Zmodem support to your programs. │ You'll even find source code to a complete BBS │ program. Available on CDROM or 14 high density │ 1.44 meg 3.5 inch floppy disks. │ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ SoftCode for PowerBASIC $99.00 │ Don't spend days or weeks writing your database │ applications when you can spend a few hours │ designing your screens, menus, and database │ fields in SoftCode. Then let it create the │ source code for you, complete with fast b-tree │ indexing and mouse support. │ ─────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ SoftDemo and Flash-Up $49.00 │ Create self-running demos, tutorials and proto- │ types, easily with SoftDemo. Attach menus, help │ windows and keyboard macros with Flash-Up. │ ═════════════════════════════════════════════════╧═══════════════════════════