Software Alternatives & Startups

FreeBASIC VS WASM-4

Compare FreeBASIC VS WASM-4 and see what are their differences

FreeBASIC

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

Rating
5.0 · 1 review
Pricing
Open source
WASM-4

Build retro games using WebAssembly for a fantasy console

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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.

Which is more popular?

FreeBASIC might be a bit more popular than WASM-4. We know about 5 links to it since March 2021 and only 4 links to WASM-4.

social mentions
5 vs 4
IDE popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
51 vs 24

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

FreeBASIC
WAS
WASM-4
Website freebasic.net wasm4.org
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

FreeBASIC 5 features
WAS
WASM-4 5 features
  • Open Source
    FreeBASIC is open source, which means users can access the source code, contribute to the project, and customize it according to their needs.
  • BASIC Language Support
    FreeBASIC offers support for the BASIC programming language, attracting programmers who prefer or are familiar with this language, while also providing modern programming capabilities.
  • Cross-Platform
    It supports multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, and DOS, which allows developers to write programs that can run on different operating systems without significant changes.
  • Compatibility
    FreeBASIC is compatible with Microsoft QuickBASIC and other older BASIC dialects, making it easier for developers to port legacy BASIC code.
  • Strong Community
    The FreeBASIC community is active, providing forums, documentation, and support that can be beneficial for both beginners and advanced users.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Library Support
    Compared to more popular languages like Python or C++, FreeBASIC has fewer libraries and third-party resources, which can limit functionality and ease of development.
  • Learning Curve for Beginners
    Although BASIC is traditionally seen as beginner-friendly, some aspects of FreeBASIC, especially its more advanced features, might present a learning curve.
  • Less Market Demand
    There is less market demand for FreeBASIC developers compared to more mainstream languages, which might limit job prospects for those who specialize in it.
  • Manual Memory Management
    FreeBASIC requires manual memory management, which can lead to potential errors like memory leaks if not handled properly, particularly for new programmers.
  • Outdated Perception
    BASIC languages, including FreeBASIC, sometimes suffer from an outdated perception that might lead to skepticism about its use for modern applications.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    WASM-4 leverages WebAssembly, allowing games to run on any device with a modern web browser without the need for compilation or platform-specific customization.
  • Lightweight & Efficient
    WASM-4 is designed to be lightweight, ensuring fast load times and efficient execution, which is ideal for quick, casual game experiences.
  • Simple API
    The API provided by WASM-4 is straightforward, making it easy for developers to start creating games without a steep learning curve.
  • Community Support
    WASM-4 has a growing community of developers who share resources, tutorials, and tools, making it easier for new developers to learn and contribute.
  • Multiple Language Support
    Developers can use various languages like Rust, AssemblyScript, and C/C++ to develop games on WASM-4, providing flexibility in terms of language choice.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Graphics Capability
    WASM-4 focuses on retro-style graphics, which limits the complexity and detail of visuals that can be achieved compared to more advanced game engines.
  • Sound and Music Limitations
    The audio capabilities of WASM-4 are fairly basic, which can be restrictive for developers looking to create rich soundscapes or complex music tracks.
  • No Integrated Development Environment
    WASM-4 does not come with a dedicated development environment, which means that developers have to set up their own toolchains and workflows.
  • Limited Game Complexity
    Due to its focus on simplicity and retro-style games, the engine may not support highly complex game mechanics or large-scale games.
  • Dependence on WebAssembly
    Relying on WebAssembly means that WASM-4 is dependent on browser support for new features, which may lag behind native game development platforms.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

FreeBASIC 0 videos + Add
WAS
WASM-4 2 videos + Add

No FreeBASIC videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Libretro Cores: WASM-4

More videos

  • - WASM-4 Game Jam announcement! - WebAssembly fantasy console

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
FreeBASIC
WAS
WASM-4
100% 100%
IDE
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using FreeBASIC and WASM-4. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

FreeBASIC 5.0 · 1 review
WAS
WASM-4 no reviews yet

We have no reviews of WASM-4 yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

FreeBASIC 5 mentions
WAS
WASM-4 4 mentions
  • Microsoft's Growing Control of Linux
    Outside of Microsoft created QB64: - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QB64 - https://lunduke.substack.com/p/the-wild-events-that-nearly-took Outside of Microsoft created Visual Basic IDE: - http://gambas.sourceforge.net/en/main.html -... - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago
  • qb.js: An implementation of QBASIC in Javascript
    If you have linux or windows, you can try freebasic. I believe it has a qbasic compatibility mode. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • Ask HN: What are your opinions on modern BASIC dialects?
    Have you looked at https://freebasic.net/ and https://www.qb64.org/portal/ ? It's been ages since I actually wrote code in BASIC, but there do appear to be nice open-source options in the modern world. - Source: Hacker News / about 5 years ago

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  • WASM Instructions
    Let's keep it going :D Writing a Minimum Viable Cartridge for WASM4 (https://wasm4.org/) using WAT: https://twitter.com/warianoguerra/status/1748382204508410149 Wasm compilers in a tweet:... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Publishing my first game using pico-8
    You should checkout WASM4⁽¹⁾, an Open Source WebAssembly-based fantasy console with 4 colors and a 160x160 screen. One of its advantages over TIC-80 is that you can program games in any language that compiles to WebAssembly. The games... - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • Random seed creation showcase for wasm4 fantasy console
    I created a showcase (and a Rust crate) which enables to create a random seed in the [wasm4](https://wasm4.org) fantasy console. With this seed a game could create a different map or other game items and events and would enable replaying... Source: about 4 years ago

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Alternatives to FreeBASIC and WASM-4

When comparing FreeBASIC and WASM-4, you can also consider the following products.