#BASIC for Amiga
11 messages in this thread
I would love to have a basic that is easy (at least possible) to program
submenu's and gadgets. (give me a simpler prop gadget, and a few boolean,
and I'll make my own list/file requestor). Instead of having to learn to
use library routines, how about a way to read the directory into an array,
(there are so many dir-util progs for finding/listing files, the amigabasic
FILES command really p*sses me off because it's usless.) AmigaBasic + A/C
basic also seriously take over the machine, crippling multitasking.
Most amiga programs have great user interfaces (just use a clone) and see
what I mean), if there was only a Basic that let's you use 'em!
BTW: extend gives some of these commands, at the cost of GURU's, flashing
submenus, not reporting the right submenu selection, etc…
John, a solution you might consider (if you are looking for fairly easy
menus, gadgets, etc. objects in a BASIC language) is both PowerWindows (v
2.5) and InnovaTools 1, both published by Innovatronics.
PowerWindows 2.5 lets you define screens, windows, menus, gadgets, etc in
its program (even capturing other running screens, windows, etc!) and then
it will generate source code for you. I have not used it with any BASIC
yet (I have with C), but the package says it supports: True BASIC,
AmigaBASIC/AC Basic Compiler 1.3. It makes this type of object creation
much less painful.
InnovaTools 1 (I do not have, just reading from the ad) apparently is a
simple library for calling gadgets, menus, etc….
Re file requestors, you might want to check out any of several good file
requestor libraries available (on CS); I'd highly recommend Khalid
Alderosi's FRLib, which is very easy to call, and very flexible.
good luck –jp–
Just a comment about Aldoseri's file requestor. It's beautiful but it seems
incompatible with Bill Hawes PathMan and reliably causes a GURU when it is
presented with one the the "extended" path descriptions created by that
program. I like how it looks but PathMan is infinitely more important.
Scott
I wasn't aware of that. Khalid is always upgrading it and I imagine that
he would remedy that if he were aware. I will post him. thanks –jp–
Scott:
Hang in there, Khalid Aldoseri's file requestor will be upgraded to fix
that in the near future.
-Mike Schiller
In sunny Fort Lauderdale
Mike,
Actually, I wish Bill Hawes could figure out a way to get the system to
sort out those Pathman paths ALOT faster, they can take the best part of a
minute if you have a very extensive C: (for instance) that is spread over
multiple volumes. For me, REXX: and S: are the usual culprits. PathMan is
SO nice though that it really made me sad when that file requester blew up
and I had to make the decision (I like the file requester too!!!) to scrap
one or the other (it was no contest though…). One of the things I am
going to like BEST about upgrading my system either to a 3000 or a 2500/30
is having many of the 'housekeeping' things happen much faster.
Scott
I have PowerWindows 2.0 and never heard of the upgrade, nor have I seen any
ads for it. I'll have to see about getting it.
What is InovaTools?
If I had time I could learn C or Modula 2 (I have BenchMark and Lattice)
There just isn't enough time in my life right now.
I know I could throw together something quick in basic, I have always liked
writing an interpreted program then compiling it when it's debugged.
Thanks for the info! *John B*
What is InovaTools? I'm not exactly sure, since I don't have it. My
reading of the ad on the back of the PW2.5 box implies that it is a set of
library functions (over 30 useful and powerful functions!) that do things
like adding gadgets, pop-up full menus anywhere you can put your pointer,
replace a porportional slider with a circular, rotating analog-type knob.
Etc…. maybe someone who has actually used it will reply. (and since
Inovatronics is now in the AmigaVendor section, you could ask them direct
too) –jp–
John,
I have used Extend, but only a little, however, I did find it quite
effective within its limitations. You can, however, create the prop gads
and get a directory listing other than using Files, but you must play a few
games. I have uploaded a library of Basic subroutines I have developed or
found which provide some very useful extensions to AmigaBasic (actually I
use HiSoft, but their somewhat compatible). It would, however, be even
nicer if these features were available in the language implementation,
itself. Although not exactly a full fledged programming language, CanDo
certainly takes the pain out of user interfaces. However, CanDo's
programming language still needs a lot to make it competitive with Basic.
But it's a real step in the right direction.
I hear that MAST has a new Basic, BlitzBasic, which might make a
step in the right direction, but I haven't seen anything about it other
than an announcement of its existence. An ad appeared in the latest
AmigaWorld, but didn't provide much more info other than it appears to be
heavily oriented toward graphics and costs $149.00 list price.
I still haven't solved the submenu problem in AmigaBAsic. It ried
some code which was in Amazing Computing, but it guru'd the machine. I
tried modifications with no avail and finally wrote the author, but I have
yet to receive a reply.
Steve
I have read an ad for BlitzBasic in the latest AmigaWorld. It only
mentions grafx (pics and such), not a thing about gadgets, menus or
requestors. I think it is a type of basic-grafx show-make etc. (btw, it's
on page 85 of the sep 1990 AmigaWorld) well, read the add and see what I
mean. Until I hear otherwise, I don't think this is the package I am
looking for. I just bought CanDo, it's v1.0 so I'm sending in for an
upgrade.
When I get some time I'll let you know about it.
*JohnB*
John,
I saw the ad, which wasn't very informative. I would call MAST to
ask about it, but the last three times I've called them for information I
wasted a long distance phone call. Not only were they not helpful, but
they never mailed information they promised to send, wouldn't return phone
calls, so I had to call several times before I could talk to someone with
some knowledge relevant to my questions. In all, I wan wasn't very
impressed, so I'm hesitant to waste time or money on them. They didn't
seem real anxious for a customer, so I'm leery of dealing with them.
I've used CanDo (I have the latest version) and I like it very
much. It's major drawbacks at this time include lack of floating point
math support, poor printer support, and lack of full programming support
equivalent, say, to Basic. However, Inovatronics has acknowledged these
needed things and has indicated that they will probably come along in the
form of add on modules in future releases. I've used Inovatronics Power
Windows and Inovatools and they are excellent products, so I have every
confidence that they can deliver a really superb application generator in
CanDo. But like every other software product, what we can expect is partly
a function of how successful CanDo is as a product. If it's pretty
successful, then Inovatronics will have the capital to invest in further
development and improvement. If not, well . . . .
Steve