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B4J VS QB64

Compare B4J VS QB64 and see what are their differences

B4J logo B4J

100% free development tool for cross platform desktop and server apps.

QB64 logo QB64

Development
  • B4J Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-14
  • QB64 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-02-05

B4J features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Development
    B4J allows for the development of cross-platform applications, which can run on Windows, Mac, and Linux without any modification. This makes it easier to reach a broader audience with a single codebase.
  • Free and Open Source
    B4J is completely free to use with an open-source license, which makes it an attractive option for both small-scale individual developers and larger organizations looking to keep development costs low.
  • Java-Based Framework
    B4J is built on Java, which is a well-established, versatile, and widely-used programming language. This provides access to a large number of libraries and tools available in the Java ecosystem.
  • Easy UI Design
    The B4J framework includes a visual designer tool that simplifies the process of creating user interfaces, particularly beneficial for developers who are not design-oriented.
  • Larger Community Support
    B4J is part of the B4X suite, which has a supportive and active community. This can be helpful for troubleshooting, sharing ideas, and finding resources.

Possible disadvantages of B4J

  • Limited Mobile Support
    While B4J is great for desktop and server applications, it is not designed for mobile app development. Users targeting mobile platforms need to use other tools like B4A (for Android) or B4i (for iOS).
  • Steeper Learning Curve for Non-Java Developers
    Developers who do not have experience with Java may have a steeper learning curve when using B4J, as it requires understanding of Java concepts and integration.
  • Limited Documentation
    Although there is a community and some resources available, the official documentation of B4J might not be as comprehensive as more established frameworks, which could lead to difficulties in finding answers to specific questions.
  • Niche Tool
    B4J is not as widely adopted as some other programming environments, which might make it a niche choice. This could potentially limit career or collaborative opportunities.
  • Potential Performance Overhead
    As B4J applications run on the Java Virtual Machine, there could be performance overheads compared to native applications, especially in resource-constrained environments.

QB64 features and specs

  • Compatibility
    QB64 maintains compatibility with QBasic and QuickBASIC code, allowing users to run legacy programs without modification.
  • Cross-Platform
    QB64 is available on major operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux, offering flexibility to developers.
  • Modern Enhancements
    Incorporates modern features such as improved graphics, sound support, and networking capabilities beyond what was possible in the original QBasic.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source software, QB64 encourages community involvement, transparency, and contributions to the codebase.
  • Ease of Use
    Retains a simple, user-friendly interface that is accessible to beginners while providing powerful features for advanced users.

Possible disadvantages of QB64

  • Performance
    While optimized for modern systems, QB64 can be slower than more contemporary programming languages, particularly for complex applications.
  • Limited Ecosystem
    QB64 lacks the extensive library support and community resources available to more popular languages like Python or Java.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    Users familiar with original QBasic may find it challenging to adapt to the newer, advanced features without proper documentation.
  • Niche Use Case
    Its primary appeal is for legacy support and nostalgia, which limits its application in modern, large-scale software development.
  • Legacy Language Constraints
    QB64 inherits some limitations of BASIC, such as less structured programming paradigms, which can impact code clarity and maintainability.

B4J videos

B4J - Foundation

More videos:

  • Review - B4J Linux Mint
  • Review - Review de B4J; Compilador Moderno Para Nostálgicos de Visual Basic 6

QB64 videos

✅ Trying out QB64 v1.5 with my little platform game - Day 7

More videos:

  • Review - QB64 Report - S01E02 - SCREEN modes
  • Review - Old man Nick tries coding QB/QB64?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to B4J and QB64)
IDE
54 54%
46% 46
Programming Language
53 53%
47% 47
Text Editors
57 57%
43% 43
OOP
56 56%
44% 44

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare B4J and QB64

B4J Reviews

Frameworks & Tools to Develop Cross-Platform Desktop Apps – Best of
B4J is more of an IDE than a cross-platform framework for developing applications that run on Windows, Mac OS & Linux systems and ARM boards (like Pi) as well. This solution lets you write code in B4X language, a modern version of Visual Basic. Your application is built for all the supported platforms and per people’s remarks, they work pretty well on the popular desktop...

QB64 Reviews

We have no reviews of QB64 yet.
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing B4J and QB64, you can also consider the following products

PureBasic - Fantaisie Software Official WebSite. PureBasic - Feel The Pure Power. PureBasic is a programming language based on established BASIC rules.

Xojo - Real Software and Real Studio are now Xojo.

FreeBASIC - FreeBASIC is a completely free, open-source, 32-bit BASIC compiler, with syntax similar to...

PowerBASIC - PowerBASIC, formerly Turbo Basic, is the brand of several commercial compilers by PowerBASIC Inc.

Liberty BASIC - Easy Programming for Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, 8 and 10

KBasic - KBasic is a powerful programming language, which is simply intuitive and easy to learn.