What's PowerBASIC for Windows?
There are two Version of PowerBASIC for 32 Bit Windows:
• PowerBASIC for Windows (PB/Win, old name: "PowerBASIC DLL (PB/DLL) for making
application Peiograms with a Windows-fashioned graphical user interface (GUI)
• PowerBASIC Console (PB/CC) for making text-based applications which look like
DOS-Programs but can access the full range of Windows functions with the
exception of dialog boxes, menues etc..


*** PowerBASIC for Windows


::: PB/Win - the sucessor of PB/DLL
PowerBASIC for Windows is oriented towards a GUI (graphical user interface), and with the new extensions, you won't believe how easy it is to build GUI applications!. Let's talk about compilers a bit. PB/DLL has been renamed to PowerBASIC Compiler 7 for Windows. You know, this compiler has evolved over the years, and this name change was long overdue. So where do I start? How about Macros? We like this one so much, we considered calling it PowerBASIC Macro Compiler! But seriously, Macros can be a powerful tool, and we're offering a complete and serious implementation. That's not often found in a high level language. Essentially, a Macro invokes a text substitution engine which allows you to extend the PowerBASIC language in ways not seen before. PowerBASIC supports single line macros, multi-line macros, even function macros which return a result. And they don't occupy one byte of code space unless actually used. Each macro may take up to 240 arguments, so configurability shouldn't be an issue. With PowerBASIC macros, you can design your own personal language!
 

::: PowerBASIC DLL Compiler for Windows
PB/DLL is actually two compilers in one. As its name implies, it can be used to create Dynamic Link Libraries, or code modules, that can be used with other programs and programming languages, such as Visual Basic, VBA, Delphi, Visual C++, and PowerBuilder. In particular, by compiling Basic code into DLLs you can speed up many tasks in Visual Basic programs by as much as 23 times.
 
Where PB/DLL really shines, however, is in the ability to create complete stand-alone Windows applications (.EXE files). PB/DLL does not require any external run-time libraries (DLLs) or controls (OCXs). That means a typical application in PowerBASIC can be compiled to around 150k as a single .EXE ("Hello, World" compiles to just 4k!).
 
PowerBASIC does not compile Visual Basic projects. Once you have finished "dragging & dropping" to your heart's content in Visual Basic, you are left with a static form. You can't easily add and remove controls as your program executes. In stark contrast are the Dynamic Dialog Tools in PowerBASIC. A set of language statements for creating your Graphical User Interface. More importantly, DDT allows you to easily add, change, or remove any control while your program is running. Your program can display hundreds of different "looks" based on events that occur while your program is running. All without megabytes of required external run-time DLLs.
 
Like PB/CC, your PB/DLL code can access up to 2 gigabytes of memory, use long filenames, and access Windows hardware devices like printers and modems. Including easy access to the internet for TCP and UDP communication. PB/DLL is a great complement to PB/CC, as it can compile DLLs compatible with console applications: just the thing for keeping your code modular.
 

::: PowerBASIC Forms - the GUI-designer
PowerBASIC Forms is our new, state-of-the-art visual designer. It works with PowerBASIC 7 to build GUIs almost as fast as you imagine them! You'll drag'n'drop controls, quickly build complex menus, automatically create resources from your images and version info. Create and name your own favorite styles. Import GUI designs from Visual Basic, a resource editor like Visual Studio, even automate hand-written DDT code. You'll like this one a lot... It's virtually everything you could ask for in a new RAD tool (RAD = Rapid Application Development).
 

:: Enhancements of the PB/Win 7.0 and PB/DLL 3.0 IDEs
The PowerBASIC IDE (for both compilers) has undergone quite a serious makeover, and we think you'll like the results. Color syntax highlighting with selectable colors, fonts, and choice of keyword case. Printed listings in color, again with your choice of fonts. Mouse wheel scrolling. Untold levels of undo. Better debugging, with intuitive watch/unwatch variable selections. Code Finder ListView shows Sub/Function names, aliases, type, and line number. You can sort on any column, in either direction, and change the column order in a flash. All this, and even more, make the new IDE a joy to use.
 

::: Debugger
How about debugging? We have a whole array of new tools! PROFILE creates a report of program execution. A list of every Sub and Function, the number of times called, and the total elapsed time spent executing all instances of each procedure. CALLSTK allows you to capture a representation of all the stack frames which exist above the current one. It answers "How did I get here?". TRACE generates a Trace Log which contains an explicit report of each Sub, Function, Label, and Trace Print statement executed, along with parameter and return values, and each error code generated. It answers "Where have I been?", and "How did I get here?"
 
 
*** PowerBASIC Console (PB/CC)
 

::: PB/Console
PB/CC is our Console Compiler -- with a text mode interface to 32-bit Windows.
 
The Console is a text mode interface connected right to the heart of 32-bit Windows. With a console application, there's no fluff, no animated puppets, just intense computing power. We've added even more console support with CONSHNDL (returns the handle of the console window), GETSTDKBD, GETSTDVID(page&), PAGEACTIVE (returns the active page), PAGEVISIBLE (returns the visible page), SCREENATTR(row,col), and even more.
 
Did I mention that Functions can now take 32 parameters? Or all the new language functions? How about #BLOAT, #STACK, #TOOLS, ACCEL, ACODE$(), ARRAYATTR, BIT CALC, CALLSTK$(), CHOOSE, CLSID$, CSET, ERROR$(), FILESCAN, FUNCNAME$, GUID$(), GUIDTXT$(), IIF(), INTERFACE, JOIN$(), MOUSEPTR, OBJECT, OBJPTR(), OBJRESULT, PARSE, PROGID$, RETAIN$(), SWITCH, TAB$(), UCODE$(), VARIANT(), and lots more. We've even added USING$() with unlimited parameters for fixed-field format, and TRY..CATCH..FINALLY..END TRY adds structure for exceptions.
 
Of course, DDT has been expanded with a raft of new functionality! Add a splash of color, change fonts, utilize the new user data area, force a redraw, post or send a message, assign icons and text with ease... all in easy-to use DDT functions.
 
PB/CC is especially well suited to programmers moving code from the DOS platform into Windows. Like its DOS cousin, PB/CC supports a "text mode" or "console" interface. When executed, a PB/CC program appears to be a DOS program because it runs inside a Console, the way a DOS box does under Windows platforms. But don't let that fool you! Underneath that familiar looking blinking cursor is the heart of a lion, running at a true 32 bits with access to every part of the Windows operating system.
 
Most DOS applications do not require any graphics abilities. They perform some type of task on a database or collected scientific data and they report their findings by PRINTing to the screen. A graphical interface with buttons and scroll bars just gets in the way. PB/CC is a perfect fit for this type of task.
 
Using the familiar PRINT, LOCATE, COLOR, and LINE INPUT statements your program
can keep its existing interface. But when it comes time to start those calculations and build the database, the true Power of PB/CC shows itself. As a true 32-bit Windows application, your PB/CC programs can use up to 2 gigabytes of memory. And because it's a Windows app, it can access Windows devices like printers, modems, and networks (including the Internet!)
 
And unlike programming in Visual Basic, Delphi or PowerBuilder, you don't need to learn about event driven programming, callbacks, or other advanced programming concepts. But just because you don't need to learn those things, that doesn't mean you can't take advantage of them if you do.
 
PowerBASIC is the most sophisticated Basic programming language in the world. It makes doing most tasks very easy, but doesn't hide away the tools necessary to get yourself dirty inside the Windows 32-bit engine. You can use only the features you need to use.
 
Did we say internet? PB/CC gives you direct access to the internet from your applications. Use STDIN and STDOUT to write applications for your web server. Use TCP and UDP to communicate with other computers, including mail servers, FTP servers, time servers and more!
 
PB/CC wasn't designed for doing graphics, however. While you can certainly do graphics by using the Windows API, the SCREEN, PSET, CIRCLE, LINE and other Basic graphics statements are not supported. For that, and doing sophisticated "Graphical User Interfaces", use PB/DLL instead.
 
*** Prices of PowerBasic for Windows (July, 2002)
PB/WIN 7.0 is attractively priced at $199.00, while PB/CC 3.0 is just $169.00. Upgrades from the prior versions are just $99 and $89 respectively if you order right now. Later, there will be an increase. PowerBASIC Forms is priced at $99 .
 
PowerBASIC Price List
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PB/CC Console Compiler 3.0 - Full Product ............... $169.00
PB/CC Console Compiler 3.0 - Upgrade from vs 2 ............ 89.00
PB/CC Console Compiler 3.0 - Upgrade from vs 1 ........... 119.00
Add Printed Documentation 39.00
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PowerBASIC for Windows 7.0 (GUI) - Full Product ......... $199.00
PowerBASIC for Windows 7.0 - Upgrade from ver 6 ........... 99.00
PowerBASIC for Windows 7.0 - Upgrade from prior versions ..129.00
Add Printed Documentation 39.00
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PowerBASIC for DOS 3.5 - Full Product .................... $99.00
PowerBASIC for DOS 3.5 - Upgrade from prior versions ...... 49.00
Add Printed Documentation (2 book set) 29.00
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PowerBASIC FORMS Visual Design Tool ...................... $99.00