Just for fun, I have been looking at computer programming at the application level.
I have been playing with these machines since before personal computers became a main stream necessity for business and personal life. Well, let me diverge here. My spouse will argue about the necessity for personal life. She has allowed me to play with “Kenny Keyboard” for well over 35 years, uses one herself, but certainly doesn’t consider them a personal life necessity. 🙂
Business users will certainly not agree. Back on track…
I first used machine language to program as there were no higher level languages for micro computers. DOS and even CPM (that dates me) were not even created yet. In fact, no one had yet hooked up a monitor or keyboard. I used rows of switches to program memory locations. Now that was the real beginning.
My first high level language was called “2K Palo Alto Basic” and was first entered through the front panel memory location switches. Those same switches entered a routine so I could use a teletype to talk to the CPU. From that point I could save programs to paper tape. Enough olden days…
BASIC has always been around as a programming language. I have been through every flavor I could get my hands on. I wrote many ham radio applications for the original MAC and IBM PC with BASIC. There has been a lot written about the pros and cons about the BASIC programming language, The truth is it has survived the test of time.
The newer (actually not so new) quick and visual BASIC’s differ greatly from the line by line original code. Complied BASIC has solved the execution problem as well as has much faster CPUs. Microsoft has held a lot of influence on the use of BASIC as they have built it into many of their business programs. Microsoft is now going the “.net” route for their operating systems and programs. Although great for the super power team coders. the hobbyist and small specialist are struggling.
I did some research the last week or so and I have found one solution. Friendly BASIC is still alive and well. Here is a company that fills in the gap. They are called REALbasic. Follow the link. They make a compiled BASIC that will produce Apple, Windows and Linux versions of your application. They seem new to me because I have been “away” so long.
I have run the demo on the MAC mini and I am impressed. Home built but professional looking applications can still be built for the three major (um… one major) OSes from the Hobbyist’s abilities. However, this is something from which the professional small shops also gain.
I feel like a kid who has seen a new toy. I don’t have a “killer app” in mind and will not invest in this product at this point. I just feel good to find a supplier who can match my programming skill set with this product. So good I just had to share the discovery.
Dan’l