Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

NASM VS FreeBASIC

Compare NASM VS FreeBASIC and see what are their differences

NASM logo NASM

The Netwide Assembler, NASM, is an 80x86 and x86-64 assembler designed for portability and...

FreeBASIC logo FreeBASIC

FreeBASIC is a completely free, open-source, 32-bit BASIC compiler, with syntax similar to...
  • NASM Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-11
  • FreeBASIC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-23

NASM features and specs

  • Standardization
    NASM (Netwide Assembler) uses a standard and simple syntax that is consistent across different platforms and projects, making it easier for programmers to read and write assembly code.
  • Cross-Platform
    NASM supports multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, allowing developers to write assembly code that can be assembled on different platforms.
  • Wide Compatibility
    NASM is compatible with numerous output formats such as ELF, COFF, and Mach-O, which makes it versatile for different types of development, including system-level programming and application software.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, NASM allows developers to contribute to its development or adapt it to fit specific needs, granting a high degree of flexibility and customization.
  • Active Community
    NASM has an active user and developer community, providing extensive support, resources, and regular updates that help address issues and enhance features.

Possible disadvantages of NASM

  • Low-Level Language
    Writing in assembly language, including NASM, is inherently low-level, making it complex and time-consuming compared to high-level programming languages.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    NASM requires a significant understanding of assembly language and computer architecture, which may present a steep learning curve for beginners.
  • Error-Prone
    Due to its low-level nature, development in NASM is prone to errors, such as memory management bugs, which can be difficult to debug.
  • Limited Use Cases
    While powerful, NASM is generally used for specific use cases like embedded systems, operating system development, or performance-critical applications, limiting its utility for general software development.
  • Maintenance Difficulty
    Assembly code is less maintainable over time compared to high-level languages, as it can be harder for developers to understand and update long after it was originally written.

FreeBASIC features and specs

  • 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 of FreeBASIC

  • 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.

NASM videos

Why you should NOT get the NASM CPT || Certification

More videos:

  • Review - NASM CPT Certification | Chapter 1-20 Review |SHOW UP FITNESS PASS NASM GUARANTEED ONLINE INTERNSHIP
  • Review - NASM CPT review

FreeBASIC videos

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

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to NASM and FreeBASIC)
IDE
36 36%
64% 64
Text Editors
36 36%
64% 64
Email Marketing
100 100%
0% 0
Programming Language
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using NASM and FreeBASIC. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

NASM Reviews

We have no reviews of NASM yet.
Be the first one to post

FreeBASIC Reviews

  1. Jose Galeno
    Can Not to Comapre FREEBASIC is a COMPILER NOT AN IDE

    HAS IDE AS FBEdit, FBNP,WINFBE, VisualFB, etc

    ๐Ÿ Competitors: Visual Basic
    ๐Ÿ‘ Pros:    Compiler|32|64|Windows linux mac|Mingw32 and mingw64|Free to use|Binding to c, c++

Social recommendations and mentions

FreeBASIC might be a bit more popular than NASM. We know about 5 links to it since March 2021 and only 4 links to NASM. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

NASM mentions (4)

  • Building a Web Server from Scratch (No, Actually)
    So in the rest of this article, I'll explain how I built NASMServer, the 95% NetWide assembly web server that runs douxx.tech. - Source: dev.to / 4 months ago
  • How to improve at x86/C?
    Try https://nasm.us/ as a modern way to use assembly. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Help needed for asm related project
    Assembly is machine specific, have a look at NASM for a more generic assembly language. https://nasm.us/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • vcpkg now (finally) has site with search functionality
    I have a weird problem: when I try using vcpkg on my work laptop, it cannot download nasm. Instead of nasm, I get an HTML page that explains that I am kept safe and secure by CSIS who blocked downloads from this dangerous domain. Vcpkg barfs on the HTML file (as it should). Source: about 5 years ago

FreeBASIC mentions (5)

  • 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 - https://github.com/wekan/hx/tree/main/prototypes/ui/gambas Outside of Microsoft created FreeBasic: - https://freebasic.net. - Source: Hacker News / about 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: over 4 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 / almost 5 years ago
  • How to compile a BASIC code in linux ?
    I used https://freebasic.net/ ages ago. Works fine. Source: about 5 years ago
  • Blank Projects - Then And Now
    And here you can live though that pain again: https://freebasic.net/. Source: over 5 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing NASM and FreeBASIC, you can also consider the following products

Bark.com - Bark.com is one of the leading marketplaces to find professionals and save time to get your job done.

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

Fiverr - One marketplace, millions of professional services.

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

Upwork - Forget the old rules. You can have the best people. Right now. Right here.

Xojo - Real Software and Real Studio are now Xojo.