QB64

QB64

QB64 is a modern extended BASIC language compiler that aims for compatibility with QBasic. It allows creating native executables for Windows, Linux and macOS. QB64 includes an integrated IDE, debugger and other development tools.
QB64 image
basic compiler ide qbasic windows linux macos

QB64: Modern BASIC Compiler for Windows, Linux, macOS

QB64 is a modern extended BASIC language compiler that aims for compatibility with QBasic. It allows creating native executables for Windows, Linux and macOS. QB64 includes an integrated IDE, debugger and other development tools.

What is QB64?

QB64 is an open-source BASIC language compiler that strives for compatibility with Microsoft QBasic. It allows developers to write programs using an enhanced version of the classic BASIC language and compile them into fast native binaries for modern systems.

Some key features of QB64 include:

  • Syntax based on QuickBASIC 4.5 and QBasic
  • Ability to create native 64-bit executables for Windows, Linux and macOS
  • Support for modern graphics, audio and GUI features
  • Integrated IDE with debugging tools and project management
  • Capacity for writing large programs - up to 2 billion lines of code
  • Extensive math libraries, string functions and more
  • Backwards compatibility for running most QBasic programs without changes

By leveraging QB64, developers can utilize their existing knowledge of BASIC programming to build new applications. The software makes it easy to get started coding while also supporting advanced capabilities as programs grow in complexity. With its cross-platform compilation and wealth of improvements over legacy BASICs, QB64 bridges the old and the new.

QB64 Features

Features

  1. Supports most QBasic statements and functions
  2. Can create native executables for Windows, Linux and macOS
  3. Integrated IDE and debugger
  4. Supports modern features like subroutines, enums and user types
  5. Graphics and sound support
  6. Can use most QBasic libraries and code with little to no modification

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Familiar BASIC syntax

Cross-platform

Active community support

Allows creating distributable standalone apps

Cons

Limited adoption and popularity compared to other languages

Documentation could be more extensive

IDE is basic compared to full-featured IDEs

Some QBasic features are unsupported or work differently


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