Q43308: Differences among QuickBASIC Versions 2.00, 3.00, 4.00, 4.50
Article: Q43308
Product(s): See article
Version(s): 2.00 2.01 3.00 4.00 4.00b 4.50
Operating System(s): MS-DOS
Keyword(s): ENDUSER | | mspl13_basic
Last Modified: 18-OCT-1989
This article describes differences among Microsoft QuickBASIC Versions
2.00, 3.00, 4.00, and 4.50. (2.01 can be grouped with 2.00, and 4.00b
can be grouped with 4.00 in the comparisons below.)
FEATURE
-------
QuickBASIC Version
Development Environment 2.00 3.00 4.00 4.50
----------------------- ---- ---- ---- ----
Assembly-language listings No No Yes Yes
during separate compilation
(compiler /A option)
Error listings during No Yes Yes Yes
separate compilation
Microsoft CodeView support No No Yes Yes
Hercules graphics card support No No Yes Yes
Immediate mode execution No No Yes Yes
Insert/overtype modes No Yes Yes Yes
Instant Watches for variables No No No Yes
and expressions
Multiple modules in memory No No Yes Yes
Multifile/multiwindow editing No No Yes Yes
On-line QuickBASIC Advisor No No No Yes
On-line help No No Yes Yes
ProKey, SideKick, and No Yes Yes Yes
SuperKey compatibility
Selectable right mouse button No No No Yes
function
Set default search paths No No No Yes
Syntax checking on entry No No Yes Yes
WordStar-style keyboard No No Yes Yes
interface
QuickBASIC Version
2.00 3.00 4.00 4.50
Language Features ---- ---- ---- ----
-----------------
BINARY file Input/Output No No Yes Yes
Block IF/THEN/ELSE Yes Yes Yes Yes
DEF FN Yes Yes Yes Yes
Definable lower array-bounds No No Yes Yes
Fixed-length strings No No Yes Yes
FUNCTION procedures No No Yes Yes
Long (32-bit) integers No No Yes Yes
Recursive procedures No No Yes Yes
User-defined variable types No No Yes Yes
QuickBASIC Versions
2.00 3.00 4.00 4.50
Math Support ---- ---- ---- ----
------------
IEEE format, math coprocessor No Yes Yes Yes
support
8087/80287 support No Yes Yes Yes
8087/80287 emulation No Yes Yes Yes
QuickBASIC Versions
2.00 3.00 4.00 4.50
Memory Model and Linking ---- ---- ---- ----
------------------------
Build quick libraries from No No Yes Yes
environment
Compatibility with other MASM only MASM only Yes Yes
languages
Huge arrays No No Yes Yes
Quick library support or User User Quick Quick
user library support Library Library Library Library
FEATURES NEW TO QuickBASIC 4.50
-------------------------------
In QuickBASIC 4.50, you can access on-line help for QuickBASIC's
keywords, commands, and menus, and on-line help for general topics and
your own variables. Examples shown on the help screens can be copied
and pasted directly into your own program, reducing development time.
In the 4.50 editor, you can set the function of the right mouse button
with the Right Mouse command from the Options menu. Use the function
that best suits your needs.
For faster debugging, QuickBASIC 4.50 offers an Instant Watch command
for immediately identifying the value of a variable or the condition
(true or false) of an expression.
Version 4.50 also lets you set default search paths to specific types
of files. This lets you organize your files by type and keep them in
separate directories. QuickBASIC searches the correct directory after
you set the new default search path. You can set default paths for
executable, include, library, and help files.
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