Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

86Box VS Microsoft Small Basic

Compare 86Box VS Microsoft Small Basic and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

86Box logo 86Box

86Box is a hypervisor and IBM PC system emulator that specializes in running old operating systems...

Microsoft Small Basic logo Microsoft Small Basic

Microsoft Small Basic puts the fun back into computer programming.
  • 86Box Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-19
  • Microsoft Small Basic Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-26

86Box features and specs

  • Hardware Emulation
    86Box offers comprehensive emulation of various hardware components, allowing users to run a wide range of legacy software and operating systems accurately.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, 86Box allows users to contribute to its development and customize the emulator to meet specific needs, fostering a community-driven approach.
  • Active Development
    The project is actively maintained and updated, ensuring compatibility with new systems and incorporating user feedback and bug fixes regularly.
  • Wide Compatibility
    It supports a wide range of CPUs, sound cards, and graphics systems, providing flexibility in emulating different historical hardware setups.

Possible disadvantages of 86Box

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up 86Box can be challenging for beginners due to the detailed configuration required for different system components.
  • Resource Intensive
    The emulation can be resource-intensive, requiring significant computer resources to run smoothly, especially for complex setups.
  • Limited Documentation
    While there is community support, official documentation can be sparse, making it difficult for new users to troubleshoot issues independently.
  • Niche Application
    Primarily focused on enthusiasts of retro computing, 86Box may not fulfill the needs of users looking for modern virtualization solutions.

Microsoft Small Basic features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    Microsoft Small Basic is specifically designed for beginners and has a very simple and intuitive interface, making it accessible for those who are new to programming.
  • Simplified Syntax
    The language features a simplified syntax, which helps newcomers understand the basics of programming without getting overwhelmed by complex code structures.
  • Educational Tool
    It serves as an excellent educational tool for teaching programming to children and beginners, providing a gentle introduction to software development concepts.
  • Integration with Turtle Graphics
    The built-in Turtle Graphics support allows users to create simple drawings and animations, which is a fun and interactive way to learn programming concepts.
  • Strong Community Support
    The platform has a supportive community and ample learning resources available online, which can be very helpful for beginners.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft Small Basic

  • Limited Functionality
    Microsoft Small Basic is not suitable for developing complex applications because it lacks advanced features and extensive libraries compared to more comprehensive programming languages.
  • Transition Challenge
    Moving from Small Basic to more advanced programming languages can be challenging as it lacks some fundamental programming concepts found in further-developed languages, like object-oriented programming.
  • Platform Dependence
    Small Basic is tightly integrated with Microsoft Windows, which can limit experimentation and usage on other operating systems.
  • No Real-World Application Development
    As primarily an educational tool, Small Basic isn't intended for real-world application development, which limits its use to mainly educational purposes.

86Box videos

Windows 3.0 30th anniversary special - Installing Windows 3.0 in 86Box

More videos:

  • Review - Tuhan: Windows 3.11 and Windows 95 installation (86Box)

Microsoft Small Basic videos

Demonstration of Microsoft Small Basic

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to 86Box and Microsoft Small Basic)
Text Editors
73 73%
27% 27
Web Development Tools
0 0%
100% 100
IDE
100 100%
0% 0
Mobile Apps
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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