Legacy program for PowerBASIC?

[Antti J Ylikoski]

I have a large legacy program of the QBASIC era and style -- the program
is so old that it even has line numbers in the style of the original
Dartmouth BASIC. The program is compatible with the old QBASIC.

Can this program be compiled with a suitable switch with the PowerBASIC,
or easily be converted to PowerBASIC, or something corresponding? I
will immediately purchase the PowerBASIC if I can use it for this legacy
program of mine.

kind regards, Antti J Ylikoski
Helsinki, Finland, the E.U.

[Auric__]

Post by Antti J Ylikoski
I have a large legacy program of the QBASIC era and style -- the program
is so old that it even has line numbers in the style of the original
Dartmouth BASIC. The program is compatible with the old QBASIC.

It was probably written for GW-BASIC.

Post by Antti J Ylikoski
Can this program be compiled with a suitable switch with the PowerBASIC,
or easily be converted to PowerBASIC, or something corresponding? I
will immediately purchase the PowerBASIC if I can use it for this legacy
program of mine.

PowerBASIC for DOS may or may not be able to compile it unchanged. PowerBASIC
Console Compiler would likely need *some* changes; PowerBASIC for Windows
would likely need *lots* of changes.

As much as I like PowerBASIC, I recommend trying FreeBASIC instead:
http://www.freebasic.net/

FreeBASIC will probably be able to compile your program as-is using this
command:
fbc -lang qb sourcefile.bas
If it can't compile, you should get some meaningful error messages telling
you what to do.

[Bob Zale]

Post by Antti J Ylikoski
I have a large legacy program of the QBASIC era and style -- the program
is so old that it even has line numbers in the style of the original
Dartmouth BASIC.  The program is compatible with the old QBASIC.
Can this program be compiled with a suitable switch with the PowerBASIC,
or easily be converted to PowerBASIC, or something corresponding?  I
will immediately purchase the PowerBASIC if I can use it for this legacy
program of mine.
kind regards, Antti J Ylikoski
Helsinki, Finland, the E.U.

Hi Antti --

It all depends upon the reason you're converting. While PowerBASIC/
DOS will likely compile it with almost no changes, I imagine you're
looking to move it to a Windows platform so it can be used with the
latest 64-bit operating systems. In that case, I'd suggest you
consider the PowerBASIC Console Compiler. It creates executables
which are compatible with every 32/64 bit Windows from Win95/98 to
Win7 and even the upcoming Win8. You'll find it supports familiar
functions like PRINT, LOCATE, COLOR, LINE INPUT, even FIELD, LPRINT
and line numbers. While some changes are needed, thousands have done
so easily and very successfully. In fact, a major international bank
recently converted over 3 million lines of source code with
comparative ease. With PowerBASIC, you'll have a commercial product
with committed support. In fact, you'll get free technical support by
email for life. I would invite you to visit the PowerBASIC Forums.
Just GOTO www.powerbasic.com and click FORUMS. There are currently
some 400,000 posts from good programmers just like you. Questions?
Just email ***@powerbasic.com

Best regards,

Bob Zale
PowerBASIC

[Antti J Ylikoski]

Post by Bob Zale

Post by Antti J Ylikoski
I have a large legacy program of the QBASIC era and style -- the program
is so old that it even has line numbers in the style of the original
Dartmouth BASIC. The program is compatible with the old QBASIC.
Can this program be compiled with a suitable switch with the PowerBASIC,
or easily be converted to PowerBASIC, or something corresponding? I
will immediately purchase the PowerBASIC if I can use it for this legacy
program of mine.
kind regards, Antti J Ylikoski
Helsinki, Finland, the E.U.

Hi Antti --
It all depends upon the reason you're converting. While PowerBASIC/
DOS will likely compile it with almost no changes, I imagine you're
looking to move it to a Windows platform so it can be used with the
latest 64-bit operating systems. In that case, I'd suggest you
consider the PowerBASIC Console Compiler. It creates executables
which are compatible with every 32/64 bit Windows from Win95/98 to
Win7 and even the upcoming Win8. You'll find it supports familiar
functions like PRINT, LOCATE, COLOR, LINE INPUT, even FIELD, LPRINT
and line numbers. While some changes are needed, thousands have done
so easily and very successfully. In fact, a major international bank
recently converted over 3 million lines of source code with
comparative ease. With PowerBASIC, you'll have a commercial product
with committed support. In fact, you'll get free technical support by
email for life. I would invite you to visit the PowerBASIC Forums.
Just GOTO www.powerbasic.com and click FORUMS. There are currently
some 400,000 posts from good programmers just like you. Questions?
Best regards,
Bob Zale
PowerBASIC

Thank you. I actually have tried the FreeBASIC for this purpose and
rejected it because it has bugs. Probably those bugs won't be seen in a
toy program, but in a big and nontrivial BASIC program they will
annoyingly show.

So I can even at the time of writing this recommend the PowerBASIC
instead of the FreeBASIC. I will see the www pages for the purchase if
it is not very expensive (I expect not.)

kind regards, Andy Ylikoski
Helsinki, Finland, the E.U.

[Bob Zale]

Post by Bob Zale

Post by Antti J Ylikoski
I have a large legacy program of the QBASIC era and style -- the program
is so old that it even has line numbers in the style of the original
Dartmouth BASIC.  The program is compatible with the old QBASIC.
Can this program be compiled with a suitable switch with the PowerBASIC,
or easily be converted to PowerBASIC, or something corresponding?  I
will immediately purchase the PowerBASIC if I can use it for this legacy
program of mine.
kind regards, Antti J Ylikoski
Helsinki, Finland, the E.U.

Hi Antti --
It all depends upon the reason you're converting.  While PowerBASIC/
DOS will likely compile it with almost no changes, I imagine you're
looking to move it to a Windows platform so it can be used with the
latest 64-bit operating systems.  In that case, I'd suggest you
consider the PowerBASIC Console Compiler.  It creates executables
which are compatible with every 32/64 bit Windows from Win95/98 to
Win7 and even the upcoming Win8.  You'll find it supports familiar
functions like PRINT, LOCATE, COLOR, LINE INPUT, even FIELD, LPRINT
and line numbers.  While some changes are needed, thousands have done
so easily and very successfully.  In fact, a major international bank
recently converted over 3 million lines of source code with
comparative ease.  With PowerBASIC, you'll have a commercial product
with committed support.  In fact, you'll get free technical support by
email for life.  I would invite you to visit the PowerBASIC Forums.
Just GOTOwww.powerbasic.comand click FORUMS.  There are currently
some 400,000 posts from good programmers just like you.  Questions?
Best regards,
Bob Zale
PowerBASIC

Thank you.  I actually have tried the FreeBASIC for this purpose and
rejected it because it has bugs.  Probably those bugs won't be seen in a
toy program, but in a big and nontrivial BASIC program they will
annoyingly show.
So I can even at the time of writing this recommend the PowerBASIC
instead of the FreeBASIC.  I will see the www pages for the purchase if
it is not very expensive (I expect not.)
kind regards, Andy Ylikoski
Helsinki, Finland, the E.U.

Thanks, Andy, we'll look forward to seeing you. If any questions come
up, you can always email us... or just visit our secure messaging
page. GOTO www.powerbasic.com and click FEEDBACK.

Best regards,

Bob Zale
PowerBASIC

[Olav]

Thank you. I actually have tried the FreeBASIC for this purpose and
rejected it because it has bugs.

Then you probably should reject almost every piece of software out there.

Probably those bugs won't be seen in a
toy program, but in a big and nontrivial BASIC program they will
annoyingly show.

So you can tell in advanced what kind a application these bugs will
appear in. Are you clairvoyant?

So I can even at the time of writing this recommend the PowerBASIC
instead of the FreeBASIC.

How on earth can you do so? You havn't even tried PB yet.

I will see the www pages for the purchase if

it is not very expensive (I expect not.)
kind regards, Andy Ylikoski
Helsinki, Finland, the E.U.

I think Andy is a fake. Created by Bob Zale.
--

[Auric__]

Post by Olav

Thank you. I actually have tried the FreeBASIC for this purpose and
rejected it because it has bugs.

Then you probably should reject almost every piece of software out there.

It *is* a non-trivial concern. The last thing anyone wants in their compiler
is bugs. Personally, I've never found bugs in FreeBASIC -- not that I've
looked very hard -- but I know of one in PowerBASIC (at least through PB/Win
9) regarding QUADs.

Post by Olav

Probably those bugs won't be seen in a
toy program, but in a big and nontrivial BASIC program they will
annoyingly show.

So you can tell in advanced what kind a application these bugs will
appear in. Are you clairvoyant?

So I can even at the time of writing this recommend the PowerBASIC
instead of the FreeBASIC.

How on earth can you do so? You havn't even tried PB yet.

I used to recommend PowerBASIC before I ever tried it, based solely on its
features.

Post by Olav
I will see the www pages for the purchase if

it is not very expensive (I expect not.)
kind regards, Andy Ylikoski
Helsinki, Finland, the E.U.

I think Andy is a fake. Created by Bob Zale.

Andy's IP is a legitimate Finland address. Shrug.

[Basic Guy]

Post by Auric__

Post by Olav

Post by Antti J Ylikoski
kind regards, Andy Ylikoski
Helsinki, Finland, the E.U.

I think Andy is a fake. Created by Bob Zale.

Andy's IP is a legitimate Finland address. Shrug.

Could be a using a proxy.

I do find it odd that Zale would come in here to answer the question
posed by "andy" and not respond to the "3'rd party OCX" thread-
especially to counter the "have not gotten a reply (from PB)" part of
the thread.

[Auric__]

Post by Basic Guy

Post by Auric__

Post by Olav

Post by Antti J Ylikoski
kind regards, Andy Ylikoski
Helsinki, Finland, the E.U.

I think Andy is a fake. Created by Bob Zale.

Andy's IP is a legitimate Finland address. Shrug.

Could be a using a proxy.

The thought had occurred to me, but... shrug.

Post by Basic Guy
I do find it odd that Zale would come in here to answer the question
posed by "andy" and not respond to the "3'rd party OCX" thread-
especially to counter the "have not gotten a reply (from PB)" part of
the thread.

IIRC, he's always been somewhat selective about what he will answer.

[Auric__]

Post by Auric__
Personally, I've never found bugs in FreeBASIC -- not
that I've looked very hard -- but I know of one in PowerBASIC (at least
through PB/Win 9) regarding QUADs.

Found the bug. Try this line in PB/Win or PB/CC:
? FORMAT$(1000000000000000001&&,"#_")

(I can't figure out how to get PB/DOS to print the number without scientific
notation, even with STR$.)

For some reason, for values of 19 decimal digits (the largest numbers; 20
digits not possible with QUAD), the compiler thinks it's only 18 digits long,
so the last digit is always changed to 0. (In the above example,
1000000000000000001 -> 1000000000000000000.)

This returns 0:
1000000000000000001&& MOD 10&&
but then, so does the EXTENDED version (1000000000000000001## MOD 10##). (I
can undertand a loss of precision in fp ops, but not integer ops.)

[Antti J Ylikoski]

-- I'm tired of "diplomatic solutions" because THEY DON'T FUCKING WORK!!!

Diplomatic solutions only work with legitimate gentlemen and legitimate
justice states.

Andy

I have criticized people intentionally a little wrong.

[Bob Zale]

Post by Antti J Ylikoski
Diplomatic solutions only work with legitimate gentlemen and legitimate
justice states.
Andy
I have criticized people intentionally a little wrong.

Hi Andy--

I'm really sorry you've received such a "welcome" here. It isn't a
style advocated by PowerBASIC. I'm very confident PowerBASIC can
provide you with a rock solid solution. Please let me know if we can
offer any assistance.

Best regards,

Bob Zale
PowerBASIC

[Bob Zale]

  ? FORMAT$(1000000000000000001&&,"#_")

Hello Auric,

I'm afraid that's only partially accurate. In PowerBASIC, ASCII-

BINARY->ASCII conversions are performed up to a mantissa length of

eighteen decimal digits, as documented. This substantially exceeds
the 16-digit limit imposed by Microsoft compilers, and it is the
design and algorithm recommended by Intel.

So, while you may have "wishes" for something different, PowerBASIC is
functioning just as designed and "advertised". If you feel an
extension is desirable, I'd recommend you submit a PowerBASIC Feature
Suggestion at http://www.powerbasic.com/support/request.html As
always, we consider the needs and wishes of our customers very
carefully. This is the best way to make that information available.

Best regards,

Bob Zale
PowerBASIC

[Auric__]

Post by Bob Zale

  ? FORMAT$(1000000000000000001&&,"#_")

Hello Auric,
I'm afraid that's only partially accurate. In PowerBASIC, ASCII-

BINARY->ASCII conversions are performed up to a mantissa length of

eighteen decimal digits, as documented. This substantially exceeds
the 16-digit limit imposed by Microsoft compilers, and it is the
design and algorithm recommended by Intel.

My apologies, then. I wasn't aware of that.

Post by Bob Zale
So, while you may have "wishes" for something different, PowerBASIC is
functioning just as designed and "advertised". If you feel an
extension is desirable, I'd recommend you submit a PowerBASIC Feature
Suggestion at http://www.powerbasic.com/support/request.html As
always, we consider the needs and wishes of our customers very
carefully. This is the best way to make that information available.

Again, my apologies. I guess I just made a bad assumption. (And I almost
never use QUADs anyway; I had to dig to find the code I posted.)

The only "extension" I truly desire is for the long-ago-promised Linux
version. (I can live without 64-bit ints.) I'm using FreeBASIC *far* more
than PB nowadays simply for the Linux support.

[Bob Zale]

Post by Auric__

Post by Bob Zale

  ? FORMAT$(1000000000000000001&&,"#_")

Hello Auric,
I'm afraid that's only partially accurate.  In PowerBASIC, ASCII-

BINARY->ASCII conversions are performed up to a mantissa length of

eighteen decimal digits, as documented.  This substantially exceeds
the 16-digit limit imposed by Microsoft compilers, and it is the
design and algorithm recommended by Intel.

My apologies, then. I wasn't aware of that.

Post by Bob Zale
So, while you may have "wishes" for something different, PowerBASIC is
functioning just as designed and "advertised".  If you feel an
extension is desirable, I'd recommend you submit a PowerBASIC Feature
Suggestion athttp://www.powerbasic.com/support/request.html As
always, we consider the needs and wishes of our customers very
carefully.  This is the best way to make that information available.

Again, my apologies. I guess I just made a bad assumption. (And I almost
never use QUADs anyway; I had to dig to find the code I posted.)
The only "extension" I truly desire is for the long-ago-promised Linux
version. (I can live without 64-bit ints.) I'm using FreeBASIC *far* more
than PB nowadays simply for the Linux support.
--
Last time I got an offer like this, there were some catches.

No problem, Auric. Actually, it's quite thoughtful of you to offer an
apology, but it really isn't necessary. We've all had
misunderstandings of this sort. The important thing is that the
correct information is posted now, so the folks aren't misled.

Thanks!

Bob Zale
PowerBASIC

[Antti J Ylikoski]

Post by Bob Zale

Post by Auric__

Post by Bob Zale

Post by Auric__
? FORMAT$(1000000000000000001&&,"#_")

Hello Auric,
I'm afraid that's only partially accurate. In PowerBASIC, ASCII-

Post by Auric__
BINARY->ASCII conversions are performed up to a mantissa length of

eighteen decimal digits, as documented. This substantially exceeds
the 16-digit limit imposed by Microsoft compilers, and it is the
design and algorithm recommended by Intel.

My apologies, then. I wasn't aware of that.

Post by Bob Zale
So, while you may have "wishes" for something different, PowerBASIC is
functioning just as designed and "advertised". If you feel an
extension is desirable, I'd recommend you submit a PowerBASIC Feature
Suggestion athttp://www.powerbasic.com/support/request.html As
always, we consider the needs and wishes of our customers very
carefully. This is the best way to make that information available.

Again, my apologies. I guess I just made a bad assumption. (And I almost
never use QUADs anyway; I had to dig to find the code I posted.)
The only "extension" I truly desire is for the long-ago-promised Linux
version. (I can live without 64-bit ints.) I'm using FreeBASIC *far* more
than PB nowadays simply for the Linux support.
--
Last time I got an offer like this, there were some catches.

No problem, Auric. Actually, it's quite thoughtful of you to offer an
apology, but it really isn't necessary. We've all had
misunderstandings of this sort. The important thing is that the
correct information is posted now, so the folks aren't misled.
Thanks!
Bob Zale
PowerBASIC

Today I ordered the PowerBASIC Console Compiler. At that discounted
price it is a real bargain. And I'm in no way affiliated with the
PowerBASIC company, neither pecuniarily nor in any other way.

Antti Ylikoski
Helsinki, Finland, the EU

[Antti J Ylikoski]

Post by Olav

Thank you. I actually have tried the FreeBASIC for this purpose and
rejected it because it has bugs.

Then you probably should reject almost every piece of software out there.

Not all of them are as bad as the FreeBASIC. That argument seems to be
the classic straw man: attempt to make the other individual ridiculous.

Post by Olav

Probably those bugs won't be seen in a
toy program, but in a big and nontrivial BASIC program they will
annoyingly show.

So you can tell in advanced what kind a application these bugs will
appear in. Are you clairvoyant?

I have seen bugs in the FreeBASIC in at least one big, nontrivial BASIC
program.

Post by Olav

So I can even at the time of writing this recommend the PowerBASIC
instead of the FreeBASIC.

How on earth can you do so? You havn't even tried PB yet.

I have seen that the FreeBASIC is bad. I have seen enough of the
PowerBASIC to trust it to a large extent.

Post by Olav
I will see the www pages for the purchase if

it is not very expensive (I expect not.)
kind regards, Andy Ylikoski
Helsinki, Finland, the E.U.

I think Andy is a fake. Created by Bob Zale.
--

No, I'm a real person, with my real name.

yours, Andy Ylikoski