PowerBASIC Compiler for DOS

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PowerBASIC Compiler for DOS offers many unique features to the DOS programmer. Whether it be legacy hardware, embedded systems, or real-time process control, PowerBASIC Compiler for DOS will be of assistance. PowerBASIC Compiler for DOS will allow you to create "Popup" TSR programs in an instant with just five lines of code, optimize critical sections of code with the built-in assembler; even intermix BASIC and assembler code line by line.

PowerBASIC Compiler for DOS includes 11 numeric data types, 4 string data types, and user-defined types and unions as well. There are unsigned byte, word, and double word variables. Integers of 16, 32, even 64 bits. Single, double, and extended precision floats. Fixed and floating-point BCD. Fixed, Flex Dynamic and ASCIIZ (null-terminated fixed) strings. True pointer variables are available for code or data. PowerBASIC For Dos has all the important features of other major programming languages like C and Pascal, yet still retains its ease of use.

There's a built-in ARRAY SORT / SCAN / INSERT / DELETE with optional collate sequencing for international or special character sets. There is support for huge arrays (greater than 64k), absolute arrays (at a specific address), and virtual arrays (16 megabytes or more).

A complete IDE with built in debugger uses true compiled code to develop and debug -- the same code as your EXE file. The editor uses EMS to store your code in high memory, leaving more memory for larger programs while debugging.

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Main Features

• Virtual Arrays: You can store your arrays (numeric, fixed-length string and user-defined type) in expanded memory. Make room in lower memory for more code and dynamic string data. Create arrays up to 16 megabytes in size, limited only by available EMS memory
• Instant TSRs: Create TSRs in an instant with just five lines of code. A 600K TSR can "pop-down" to a memory image of just 4K, with automatic memory swapping to EMS or virtual disk. TSRs can be activated by practically any stimulus: a hot key, a timer, inactivity, even a message from a foreground program. They can be safely uninstalled under internal program control, or by external request. Even BIOS keystroke stuffing is available. In fact, multiple TSRs can activate each other repeatedly, with two-way communication throughout
• Built-in Assembler: The new built-in Assembler may be just what you need. For the first time, you can write Assembler code and mix it with your PowerBASIC code line by line. Hand optimize the most critical sections for absolute performance. PowerBASIC handles all the details automatically. You can reference your variables, parameters, labels and functions by name -- even debut at the CPU register level in the expanded environment.
• New Data Types: PowerBASIC Compiler for DOS offers 11 numeric data types, 4 string data types, then adds user-defined TYPES and UNIONS as well. There are unsigned byte, word, and double word variables. Integers of 16,32, even 64 bits. Single, double, and extended precision floats. Fixed and Floating-point BCD. Fixed, Flex Dynamic and ASCIIZ (null-terminated fixed) strings. You can even map Flex strings into dynamic structures; they're defined, created, and sized at run-time for true database capability
• Direct Console I/O: As the importance of the Internet grows, so does the need for DOS programs to communicate with Web servers. PowerBASIC allows DOS applications to use Direct Console I/O for communication with a web server through a CGI interface. Using Standard Input, DOS programs can read form data from a web page, process it (such as a database lookup), and create an output page through Standard Output for display to the end user
• BCD Variables: Finally you can eliminate round-off errors, even those associated with currency variables in other languages. You aren't forced to 4 decimal places. Instead you make your choice: from 0 to 18 digits, and always with automatic rounding to the precise level of your needs. In PowerBASIC, all BCD variables are implemented as scaled integers for fast calculation
• Array Operations: Built-in Array Sort, Scan, Insert, and Delete, with optional collate sequencing for international or special character sets
• Fast Math: An optional procedural float package offers startling speed. Without a numeric co-processor, it's 40% to 500% faster than emulation. Yet it still uses the '87 when available. It's IEEE-compatible, so you can intermix procedural, emulated, or '87 specific code as needed
• Structure: Create BASIC programs with any level of structure desired. Free-form or absolute, the choice is yours. You can even choose to require variable declaration before use.
• Bit Operations: PowerBASIC offers a full complement of bit operations including: SHIFT, ROTATE, TEST, SET, RESET, and TOGGLE. Even implied bit arrays of up to 512K bits are supported
• Communications:Serial port communication is available for COM1 through COM4. BAUD rates up to 115200. Any combination of non-standard IRQ lines. Explicit control of DTR, even after program termination. Automatic error detection or masking is available, with optional flush of erroneous data
• IDE with Mouse Support: Use true compiled code to develop and debug -- the same code as your EXE file. So you'll never need to deal with a slow, threaded p-code interpreter. That means faster development, and the elimination of subtle differences between interpreted and compiled results. You can easily customize colors, keystrokes and compile options to suit your personal taste. If EMS is present, the editor will store your source code and help files in higher memory to make room for larger programs during debugging