Hello! Questions.... noob ^^

[Polarwolf]

Hello everyone!
I'm currently thinking about learning a true programming language. (Don't think about this. ^^)
So... I came up with some questions like:
1) How great does GLBasic support DLL's?
2) Is it possible to create normale applycations as well?
3) What is better than in i.e. PureBASIC?

[PeeJay]

1) No idea - I haven't tried to use DLL's - I like to write my own code! (then at least I know what it's doing!)

2) Yes - up to a point. While any "proper" language can code anything (theoretically), don't expect something like GLBasic to be able to code the next Photoshop, Excel, or Nero. But it would be perfectly okay for coding simple applications.

3) All versions of BASIC are pretty much similar to each other - the advantage of GL is the fantastic support from Gernot (the author) who squashes bugs and adds new features at breathtaking speed.

The problem is, "better" is a very vague word. BASIC is pretty much the simplest language to learn (so does that make it better?), while C++, for example, gives you far more power (does that make it better?), and Java is about as cross platform as you will ever get (so does that make it better?!?) BlitzMax is a version of BASIC with an Object Oriented Programming approach (better?), while all the other versions of BASIC that spring to mind are procedural (I think you get the idea!)

[AndyH]

Yea, which product "is best" should really be which is best for what you want to do.

I've been really impressed by GLBasic.  It's got speed.  It's not too heavy in the language but does almost everything you might want.  The help files are good.  The product feels alive (Gernot adding new features and fixing things often).  It compiles to other platforms and the only restrictions are understanding the limitations of those platforms (memory, hardware, etc).  I've enjoyed coding with it (although I've yet to do anything meaty - got a little side project to finish first then I'm hoping to enter something in the competition).  I've seen some impressive INLINE code (you can embed C code directly in with your GLBasic code) if you get advanced like that.  It's got a decent debugger (better than most game BASICs I've seen).

I'm sure there are lots area that GLBasic can grow in, but it's an impressive programming language and environment.  As well as what people say here, grab a copy of the demo. It doesn't expire, but does have some limitations such as you can only run your programs from the editor for example (see the website for a full list).  Nothing like getting your hands dirty and having a go.

[Polarwolf]

I forgot about the direkt C (inline) support. That should make it possible to write nearly everything. Including normal applications and full dll compaitibilty.... anyway I'm still unsusre. It looks like pureBasic is soon getting great engines... ( Irrlicht- and Dreamotion3d-engine) Since I'm not only looking to programm normal applications (I also want to programm some small games as you might guess) I'm damn unsure how "powerfull" GLBasic realy is. Its engine looks nice in some demos... but I never saw a... "good" game using it. So whats the point in GLBasic then? (Got any example games with "good" engine usage?)
Thanks so far!

[bigsofty]

I find the way GLBasic is more 'open' than other basics. the main reason I come back for more, ask Gernot how a texture is stored internally, for example, and he'll supply the C call for you to use as well as a description on how to use it... refreshing to say the least. Time and again, Ive seen features added on request or bug fixes that night... no other Basic has a developer have such a close relationship with his customers. Oh did I say its also the best cross platform Basic?

[Kitty Hello]

Make a "good" game. I know we're lacking one for sure. The power is there, but noone found the time to realize it, yet.
I'm just coding a few quick+dirty tech demos. No finished games.

[Ian Price]

no other Basic has a developer with such a close relationship with his customers.

Actually Kevin Picone is very close to his customers with PlayBasic too, which is also a viable alternative, but lacks some of the ease of use as GLBasic and has limited 3D support and completely lacks any form of cross-compatibility with other machines. Of course GLBasic has that and more besides. It's not big, and does lack a lot of things, but GLB appears to be growing with demand

If only we could combine all the features of all the Basic languages together into one big set of easy to use commands that would be the be-all and end-all of Basic languages and we could take over the world (or just remake Manic Miner)

[PeeJay]

I never saw a... "good" game using it. So whats the point in GLBasic then?

A number of experienced coders (myself included) are now looking at GL as a realistic alternative to what they have been using before, much of it due to the competition. The thing is, I can guarantee that I wouldn't now be coding in GL if it wasn't a capable language. Of course, there are improvements that can be made, as since Gernot is aware of many of them, you can be sure that they will be included before very long.

I agree that the demo games are pretty dire, being both basic (no pun intended) and buggy, but that is no reflection on what this language is actually capable of.

[bigsofty]

There's a lot of people doing quite impressive stuff behind the scenes (I hope me too) that will show what GLBasic is really capable of, 2008 should be a good year for GLBasic.

[Polarwolf]

Will engines like the Irrlicht- and Dreamotion3d-engine ever be available to GLBasic? I know... as a beginner I won't start programming 3D games that require that graphics in a min... but It would be nice to know that the language is able to do it if required. So short:

1) Will engine support like the once listed above will be available?
2) Will every plugIN (like the Network one...) cost money? (I know it's still damn cheap but I'm still going to scool...)
3) Can GLBasic access / scan the RAM for example? (Like game cheat programms) I don't want to know that I wouldn't be able because I'm new. I online want to know if its possible or not.
4) How hard is it (i.e.) to programm a small ... um.. Window (XP Style) that checks the source of a Website and saves it as .txt file. Or a little calculator?...

Thanks so far! You nearly got me XD

[PeeJay]

1) No idea, though I doubt it - after all, GL is not aimed at professional coding. However, Gernot can advise you better,

2) I would think so. I don't think it is unreasonable to ask for money for the work and research Gernot has to do. In fact, I think it is fantastic that currently you only have to pay for what you want.

3) No, it can't read the RAM - Basic is a high level language (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-level_programming_language) designed to protect you from needing to know all that sort of stuff. If you are looking to read RAM locations, and control the computer at hardware level, you will need a low level language (like assembler, or even C)

4) As I don't have the NET extensions, I can't confirm the first question, but I would think it is very possible - and as for the little calculator - very easy indeed.


So, in essence, if you want something to access the computer at component level, BASIC is not for you. If you want to do professional coding (whether games or view it as a career move), BASIC is not for you. However, if you want to write programs quickly and easily, and not spend the next 3 years of your life trying to learn the language, BASIC is ideal. As for GL, you get superb customer support, regular additions of new features, and have cross platform compiling.

The only question left is, what do you want a language for?!?

[Polarwolf]

I like your question... yeah. It's a good one.
Till now I only programmed some small shit. Like a programm that checked a Websites part for Updates and sends me a message once it happens or RegEditor's (changing some options you can't access directly), a Bot for a Browsergame that keeps an eye on the Values IG, does klicks and checks for updates itself. Some more stuff... but now I'm looking for a new, easy to learn, powerfull / mighty language that supports DLLs (GLBasic does cus of the inline C) and is also easy to programm games with.

@all beside PeeJay, please check my questions. ^^ I'm still not to happy with the given answeres!; )

[AndyH]

Yes, I suspect there will be more games appearing in 2008, hopefully some from Ovine too.  Don't forget the premium package contains all the add-on's and is a reasonable price.  (takes pimp hat off)

[Polarwolf]

Seriously I got no problem with the price! XD
It's already cheap if you think of all the work. Only wanted to know if every new upgrade will cost money. ^^

[AndyH]

The Inline C stuff opens up a lot of possibilities to help integrate GLB with almost anything, but I have no idea if it would be possible to use GLB which is OpenGL driven with Irrlicht.  

Your question about accessing websites, take a look at this in the help file, looks like it's what you need:

ok = NETWEBGET(server$, url$, port#, file$)