Re: GS Basic?

[dempson@swell.actrix.gen.nz (David Empson)]

In article <CICCHt.MsA@hpcvsnz.cv.hp.com> billh@lsid.hp.com (Bill Harris) writes:
> I found a description of "Apple IIGS BASIC" on a gopher site the other day,
> and it sounded like a much improved BASIC.  Realizing that BASIC is still
> just BASIC, it is nice to have an interpreted language around from time to
> time, and this one sounds like it supports ToolBox calls as well as some
> more structured control constructs (other than GOTO and GOSUB).  
> 
> Does anyone know the status of this language?  Is it an Apple product (as I
> guess)?  Is it still available?  I suspect it started out life as a
> commercial product, but has it since been released as freeware?  Will it
> run under System 6.01?

Apple IIgs BASIC (written by Apple) was never released as a finished
product.  It was available as a beta version from APDA, but Resource
Central doesn't list it in their catalogue, so I doubt it is still 
available.

The only released version of GS BASIC was somewhat buggy, and worked
with System 3.2.  I've never tried it with system software later than
4.0, and haven't used it for many years.

GS BASIC is strongly based on Apple III Business BASIC.

The TML BASIC compiler was source-compatible with GS BASIC, but I think
it has also vanished into oblivion.


I suggest you look at Micol Advanced BASIC, from Micol Systems (in
Canada).  A friend of mine uses it, and swears by it.  It is a BASIC
compiler, and it supports many "structured programming" constructs,
such as named subroutines with parameters, proper looping, etc.  Line
numbers are optional.  It has a reasonable level of support for
calling the toolbox and GS/OS, but is not as flexible as Pascal, C or
assembly language.

There are versions of M.A.B. for the IIgs and for the IIe.