QBASIC - How to install and use it with XP Home?

[Chris]

QBASIC - How to install and use it with XP Home?
Which files should be placed where?
And does it run in a command line window?
Or full-screen as it used to run in DOS?
Thanks for any help.

 

[Code-Curious Mom]

You just need the files qbasic.exe (the program) and qbasic.hlp (the help
system). Just place the files together in a folder or somewhere and create
a shortcut to the exe someplace convienent. Look at the "Properties" to the
shortcut and in the "Screen" tab you can set it to start fullscreen or in a
command-type window, your choice. After started you can toggle back and
forth with Alt+Enter. If you're using a graphics mode the output from your
program won't window, however. IMO it actually works better on XP than it
did on 95 where it would BSOD in non-DOS mode after certain actions. From
what I've read on usenet, LPRINT won't work with a USB printer. I've never
got around to testing if my old programs that write to ports work (I would
not be suprised if they don't) but everything I have tried worked ok.
Haven't really used it much since I got C++. Oh, and have fun!

CCM

 

[Chris]

Thanks very much.
Maybe I should migrate to something more modern.
Is there anything as simple, which will do the kind of graphics that
QBASIC does?

 

[Claude J Ortega]

Thanks very much.
Maybe I should migrate to something more modern.
Is there anything as simple, which will do the kind of graphics that
QBASIC does?

See if YaBasic does what you want. Do a google search for it.

 

[Code-Curious Mom]

Personally I love Visual C++, but most people probably wouldn't say it's as
simple as qbasic. I found myself constantly fighting qbasic's limitations
and using CALL ABSOLUTE to extend it and decided that learning C++ couldn't
possibly be any more difficult than that. (I think I had more hassles with
the environment than I did with the language although some of the language
is just close enough to qbasic to make you think you know something when you
don't quite!) Best of all C++ lets you use the Win API so you can just ask
Windows to say play a sound file, etc.
There's a Carl that visits these groups (where did he go now?) who promotes
a Liberty Basic. You might want to check out www.libertybasic.com I took
the *liberty* of lifting a bit from the site (hope ya don't mind):

Q: How does Liberty BASIC compare with QBASIC?
A: Liberty BASIC is a programming language similar to, but not directly
compatible with QBASIC. If you have ever programmed in any version of
Microsoft BASIC, Liberty BASIC will be easy to learn. Liberty BASIC
incorporates those things that make programming easy and fun, and it adds
what's needed for programming graphical user interfaces (something QBASIC
lacks).

Personally I've never used it so I can't speak for or against it.
If you should go with VisualBasic or Visual C++ look for sales/rebates as
they are normally quite expensive, but I got mine for $30 after rebate&store
coupon.

Hope you find something you like,
CCM

 

[Opinicus]

If you should go with VisualBasic or Visual C++ look for

What VisualBasic package should I be looking for? Can you point me to a
link?

 

[Code-Curious Mom]

I've never used Visual Basic. It's by MS, but I have no idea what you'd
want. Best I could do is

http://www.google.com/search?as_q=b...s_occt=any&as_dt=i&as_sitesearch=&safe=images

I just said look for a good deal, I don't know where/if there are any at the
moment.
Maybe someone else would be more help.

 

[NobodyMan]

What VisualBasic package should I be looking for? Can you point me to a
link?

I use Visual Studio 6, which includes VB6, VC++6, VFP6, Visual
Interdev, and all the associated enterprise tools (along with Visual
J++, which I've never used/learned). That package was real expensive
when new, but IF you can find it now, it's probably pretty heavily
discounted.

The IF is because Visual Studio .NET has been released, and most
software outlets dump older versions of software when the newer
versions rollout. Happy hunting.

 

[Peter Hutchison]

What VisualBasic package should I be looking for? Can you point me to a
link?

Get VisualBasic Standard.
See http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic/

Peter Hutchison
Windows FAQ
http://www.pcguru.plus.com/