[ANN] BBC BASIC for Windows version 5.50a released

[ne...@rtrussell.co.uk]

I'm pleased to announce the release of BBC BASIC for Windows version
5.50a. This update includes the following new features:

* Compatibility with Windows Vista is improved.
* EXT# may now be used to set a file's length.
* QUIT now takes an optional exitcode parameter.
* The AnimateWindow API function is supported.
* Console-mode executables may be created.
* Compiler directives may now be incorporated.
* The program's output window has a different icon.

If you already have the full version of BBC BASIC for Windows you can
update your copy, free of charge, by downloading and installing
UPGRADE.EXE from here:

http://www.bbcbasic.co.uk/bbcwin/download.html

If you don't yet have BBC BASIC for Windows but you would like to try
it, you can download a free non-time-limited evaluation copy (capable
of running many useful programs) from the same address.

BBC BASIC is the language specified by the British Broadcasting
Corporation for its groundbreaking Computer Literacy Project of the
early 1980s. It is ideally suited for the complete beginner yet is
powerful enough to write complete Windows applications. Some of the
features which make it unique are:

* More than 25 years of development.
* Simple, intuitive, user interface.
* Syntax colouring and live indentation.
* Live trace and listing of variables at run time.
* Single-step and breakpoint capability.
* Easy access to the Windows API.
* Up to 256 Mbytes available for user program.
* Embedded assembler for ultimate speed.
* Generates compact standalone executables.
* 880+ page manual.
* 190 page beginners' tutorial.
* More than 50 example programs included.
* 18 software libraries, including 3D graphics.

Here are some useful links:

http://www.bbcbasic.co.uk/bbcwin/
http://bb4w.wikispaces.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_BASIC
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bb4w

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/features/91575/bbc-basic-the-peoples-language.html

Richard.
http://www.rtrussell.co.uk/
To reply by email change 'news' to my forename.

[Lemming]

On 1 Jan 2007 07:47:20 -0800, "ne...@rtrussell.co.uk"
<ne...@rtrussell.co.uk> wrote:

>* QUIT now takes an optional exitcode parameter.

I'm going to stick my neck out here.

WTF?

"* QUIT now takes an optional exitcode parameter."

Is this something new?

Hell, I thought I had something more to say, but actually I don't.
Anyone reading this who doesn't understand why this is ... well, lame
... and shouldn't be reading this. And if you don't understand why
exit codes are needed you shouldn't be reading this post.

Why do proper programmers put up with idiots like this? Seriously.
Why do we? Is it a confidence thing?

Lemming
--
Curiosity *may* have killed Schrodinger's cat.

[ne...@rtrussell.co.uk]

Lemming wrote:
> >* QUIT now takes an optional exitcode parameter.

> Is this something new?

Yes, previously you couldn't set the exit code easily in BBC BASIC for
Windows, you had to do it by calling the PostQuitMessage API directly,
which wasn't very satisfactory. I've tried to improve support for
console-mode programs in this latest version.

[Lemming]

On 3 Jan 2007 05:11:21 -0800, "ne...@rtrussell.co.uk"
<ne...@rtrussell.co.uk> wrote:

>Lemming wrote:
>> >* QUIT now takes an optional exitcode parameter.
>> Is this something new?
>
>Yes, previously you couldn't set the exit code easily in BBC BASIC for
>Windows, you had to do it by calling the PostQuitMessage API directly,
>which wasn't very satisfactory. I've tried to improve support for
>console-mode programs in this latest version.

Thank you for not rising to my "bait" which was posted after a very
long, arduous and mostly unsatisfying day.