Which PB Compiler should I choose?

PowerBASIC offers five commercial compilers, each of which may fit your needs in a different way. It's not surprising that we often hear the question "Which compiler should I choose?" Well, the answer depends upon your personal goals, and the type of programs you need to create. Stay with us for a minute, and we'll work out your particular answer.

In this article, we'll concentrate on the differences in these compilers, so you can make an informed choice. We won't try to talk about every possible feature here. Of course, complete specifications are available in the PowerBASIC Product Catalog, so it would be good to visit there soon.

For questions that may not have been fully covered, please leave Feedback. We'll do our best to get you a prompt response.

PowerBASIC For Windows

Create programs with the Windows "Look'n'Feel"

PowerBASIC Console Compiler

Create Text-Mode programs

This is one interesting product. It's our premier text-mode counterpart to PowerBASIC 9 for Windows. It creates a simpler user interface, without all the GUI components. The screen-shot above shows a very good example. There's no fluff, no animated puppets, just good calculations and good information for whatever your needs.

The Console Compiler uses familiar functions like PRINT, LOCATE, COLOR, LINE INPUT, even LPRINT. In fact, that's the only real difference between our Text-Mode and our GUI compilers: the presentation on the screen. One does it with fancy windows, the other with easy to read text that looks a lot like a DOS program. If you don't need a fancy screen to dazzle your customers, just save some time, effort, and money! Do it in text mode with the Console Compiler.

The Console Compiler is particularly valuable for conversion of DOS Programs. With the advent of 64-bit Vista and Win7, all support for DOS code has been removed. You simply can't run a DOS program in 64-bit Win7. That's where the Console Compiler shines! It's 95% compatible with most versions of DOS Basic, so conversion is a snap. There isn't another compiler on the market which is closer in syntax.

Of course, the Console Compiler is perfect for CGI code on your web server. Whatever the task, it can take data from a web form, process as needed, then deliver the results right to the browser of a distant end user.

Other than the screen and keyboard, the Console Compiler offers virtually all the great features of our GUI compiler. Threads for multi-core programming. Macros. Regular expressions. Register variables. TCP/UDP. Thread-Local Storage. Objects. COM. A great IDE and debugger. It's all in there.

So, what's the big difference?

What the user sees and uses when he runs your program. The code which handles the screen, the keyboard, and the mouse. PB/Win uses all the GUI components of Windows to offer a "snazzy" appearance. PB/Console uses the Windows Console to display your data and calculations directly; No fluff. PB/Win means some extra work from you, the programmer, to manage your resources. PB/Console can offer straightforward conversion of your existing programs for DOS.

Each concept offers real advantages. Sometimes you want the best-of-the-best appearance. Sometimes you just want instant results. Sometimes you need to dazzle your audience. Sometimes you just want to convert DOS code.

If you have both compilers, all your bases are covered. When you consider the low prices of PowerBASIC, it makes sense to consider the option. Isn't it a small price to save many hours of programming time?

Classic Compilers with Value Pricing

Text-Mode or GUI programs with true value pricing

Whether you're new to programming, or just conscious of your budget, the Classic series of compilers may be a perfect fit. This is your best opportunity to obtain a professional compiler at hobbyist pricing!

The Classic Compilers are actually an older version of our Premier compilers. Just a couple of years ago, they were "best of breed"... the finest compilers on the market. Today, you can buy them for pennies on the dollar to gain a good foothold in PowerBASIC Programming.

Just like the Premier version, Classic PowerBASIC 8.0 for Windows creates GUI programs (Graphical User Interface) with the Windows "Look'n'Feel". You'll get Dialogs, Buttons, EditBoxes, Menus, and more. All the Pizzazz of a great GUI display, but at real value pricing. This compiler was originally priced at $199, and worth every penny. The regular price of Classic PB8 is just $99... but today, the Special Intro price is just $49!

On the other hand, there's much to say for a Text-Mode compiler. There's no fluff, no animated puppets, just intense computing power. Classic PowerBASIC Console Compiler 4 fits the bill perfectly. A few less features, a bit less performance, that's to be expected. But check out the pricing! This compiler was once priced at $169. The regular price of Classic Console Compiler 4 will be $99. But right now, today, the introductory price is just $49. A professional compiler at a price that's almost trivial!

All of that said, please don't misunderstand us. The Classic Compilers are great. Particularly at these prices. Three or four years ago, they were state of the art. Even today, they leave competitors swirling in their dust. But they aren't the same as our premier versions, listed above. More than 90% upgrade to the latest premier compilers, so it's likely you will, too. It may be best to make the move up right now. Then you'll have access to all the latest features and time-saving shortcuts right from the start.

PowerBASIC for DOS

Create DOS programs

For questions which may not have been fully covered, please leave Feedback. We'll do our best to get you a prompt response.