Basic programming?

Question

Hi,

I used to do a lot of programming in BASIC back in the days of the BBC micro.

I am considering having a go on a PC and I was wondering if anyone can tell me what software is available these days?

Also, any good guides on how to use it and how much the language has changed in the past 25 years?

Thanks

Answer 1

You could get hold of QBasic free via Internet. That will run on a PC via XP but I think that there are a few issues using Vista. Next is Visual Basic which is sort of Basic++. This comes with MS Visual Studio or for use within Excel Spreadsheets. Most popular is C/C++ where you can get certain compilers for free, like Watcom that I started with:



http://www.openwatcom.org/index.php/Main_Page



There is also Java where the code is similar to C. Examples of these codes for the same benchmark program can be found on my site:



http://freespace.virgin.net/roy.longbottom/



mainly via



http://freespace.virgin.net/roy.longbottom/oldones.htm

Answer 2

you can still program a BBC micro if you really wanted to , via an emulator , like so >



http://www.mikebuk.dsl.pipex.com/beebem/index.html



it has changed.. the biggest thing on pc, is Object oriented / even driven..



so instead of typing a program



10 print "hello"

20 goto 10



well the program runs in sequence , now code runs on events (e.g. on click etc) and doesn't have to run in sequence.. only by events..



you might want to learn C, thats a good grounding, there are loads of free editors / compilers online



just type in "free c compiler" and get yaself a editor like crimson editor, and a simple C book from the library, then perhaps move on to c++



good luck

Answer 3

Start learning C first. Basic is just a toy. C is one of the most powerful and flexible languages out there. By learning C, you can get a great handle true programming. If you can't tell C is my favorite language. I love it :)

Answer 4

I dumped Windows years ago -- and don't recommend Visual Basic at all. A couple of years ago I had this shoved in my face:



http://www.realbasic.com/



I wish I could remember who -- obviously --my best friend is. It's a really good package for many purposes. I went back to college and learned C and Postscript (don't ask) then taught myself C++ and tk/tcl but -- well -- this is a great package for Basic programming.

Answer 5

You can consider learning Visual Basic The following web site is a good source about the history of BASIC as well as lessons on VB.



http://www.vbtutor.net

Answer 6

Take a look at PowerBASIC. (www.powerbasic.com)



It's FAST, easy, and the only program I now use.



You can do just about anything with this language that any C or C++ programmer can do. It's a modern, high-level, structured BASIC, for 32-bit operating systems.

Answer 7

It Depends On What Kind Of Software You're Looking For Mate. Add Aditional Details Please So I Can Answer Fully. Thank You.