QB64 V0.84 released (Windows only)

[Dav]

The QB64 compiler project updates once again by releasing QB64 V0.84.  This is a major update as it fixes a critical IDE memory issue, several bugs, and adds even more Qbasic compatibility.  This is a Windows only release.  The next Linux version is not expected utill the V0.841 update planned 3 weeks from now. 

QB64 is currently a one-man project, by Galleon, aimed at making a Qbasic compatible compiler that will produce EXE's which will run perfectly on modern computers.  It comes with a 'Classic' IDE, made in QB64, that looks and feels close to Qbasic. Most of Qbasic commands are now fully supported, making QB64 perhaps the most Qbasic compatible compiler there is.  Even the well-known Qbasic game 'Wetspot' compiles, and is included in the QB64 samples folder.  The next QB64 release is said to add support for the DRAW command, which in my opinion is the last major hurdle for QB64 to become a truly Qbasic compatible compiler.

In addition to Qbasic compatiability, this QB64 V0.84 adds commands to allow the programmer to specify an ICON and the window title bar text for their programs.

For more information and a download link check out Galleons official QB64 release post at the QB64 project fourm:
http://www.qb64.net/forum/index.php?topic=311

On a side note, one of the QB64 forum members is working on a DirectQB to QB64 translator to allow games made with the DirectQB library to be compiled with QB64.

Here is part of the QB64 Readme.txt concerning this release:

Stability & QBASIC compatibility have been significantly improved. Many problems not listed here have also been addressed.

New commands specific to QB64:
_ICON imagehandle 'changes the program's icon
_TITLE string$ 'changes the text in the title bar
_DELAY x 'waits for x seconds (accurate to nearest millisecond), relinquishing cpu cycles to other applications
_LIMIT x 'limits the fps/rate of a program to x loops/frames/etc per second, relinquishing any spare cpu cycles to other applications
t=TIMER(0.001) 'returns TIMER value rounded to nearest 0.001 of a second (highest accuracy possible is to the nearest millisecond)
_DISPLAY (no parameters) 'This command manually updates the monitor using the data of the currently selected display page. The command also disables the autodisplay of display page data to the monitor (the default) if it is on.
_AUTODISPLAY (no parameters) 'This command enables autodisplay so the display page data will automatically be updated to the monitor.
x=_ERRORLINE 'Returns the source code line number that caused the most recent runtime error

Added support for QBASIC commands:
CALL INTERRUPT
CLEAR
COMMON (when used in programs without multiple modules)
RUN

Other improvements:
-Severe memory leaks fixed
-can PEEK timer bytes at &H46C-E (46c+46d*256+46e*65536)
-division error fixed [(tx<2)/2.0 VS print (tx<2)/2]
-INP(&H3C9) for palette reading
-power-of [^] bug (related to order of operations)
-Reading "" in DATA statements
-Many fixes/improvements to referencing/allocating variables (including user defined types) in conventional memory
-SUBs/FUNCTIONs requiring variables in comventional-memory now supported
-Problems calling CALL ABSOLUTE addressed

IDE improvements:
-Severe memory leak which affected the IDE fixed
-Uses 50% less memory (RAM)
-Minimal CPU usage
-Many freeze/crash related problems addressed

- Dav

[ExtremePopcorn]

Sweet!  The icon part looks especially cool.

[Focus]

Works well. Thank you!

[Dav]

Updated link (previous one was broken).  Check it again for a download.

[Dav]

The QB64 download has been updated once again, this time adding full support for the DRAW command!  If you download QB64 earlier, grab it again to get the updated package - it's a bigger download, but well worth it imo.

- Dav