Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PowerBASIC VS MonoDevelop

Compare PowerBASIC VS MonoDevelop and see what are their differences

PowerBASIC logo PowerBASIC

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

MonoDevelop logo MonoDevelop

MonoDevelop enables developers to write desktop and web applications on Linux, Windows and Mac OS X.
  • PowerBASIC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-18
  • MonoDevelop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-19

PowerBASIC features and specs

  • Performance
    PowerBASIC compiles to highly optimized machine code, resulting in fast and efficient executables with minimal overhead.
  • Compact Executables
    The language is known for creating small and compact executables which are beneficial for performance and memory usage, especially in resource-constrained environments.
  • Legacy Support
    It is well-suited for maintaining and updating legacy BASIC applications, providing continuity for long-standing projects.
  • Low-Level Programming
    PowerBASIC offers direct access to system hardware and memory manipulation, which can be a significant advantage for system programmers.
  • Ease of Use
    The syntax is relatively straightforward, especially for those already familiar with BASIC, reducing the learning curve for new users.

Possible disadvantages of PowerBASIC

  • Limited Modern Features
    PowerBASIC lacks some of the modern programming constructs and libraries that are available in more contemporary programming languages.
  • Platform Limitations
    Primarily designed for Windows, PowerBASIC does not offer native support for other platforms, limiting cross-platform development capabilities.
  • Smaller User Community
    The user community for PowerBASIC is smaller compared to more popular languages, which can lead to fewer resources for support and collaboration.
  • Proprietary Nature
    As a proprietary product, PowerBASIC may involve licensing fees and does not offer the open-source flexibility that some developers prefer.
  • Less Frequent Updates
    The development and release of updates are less frequent compared to more mainstream programming environments, potentially impacting feature availability and bug fixes.

MonoDevelop features and specs

  • Cross-platform Support
    MonoDevelop runs on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing developers to work in a consistent environment regardless of the operating system.
  • Integration with .NET Development
    MonoDevelop is tailored for .NET development, providing excellent support for C# and other .NET languages, which includes debugging, project management, and code completion features.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source IDE, MonoDevelop allows developers to contribute to its development and customize the environment to their specific needs.
  • Unity Development
    MonoDevelop is often used with Unity game development because of its strong support for C#, providing a seamless environment for game developers.
  • Built-in Version Control
    The IDE provides built-in support for version control systems, particularly Git, which facilitates easy tracking and management of code changes.

Possible disadvantages of MonoDevelop

  • Limited Language Support
    Compared to some other IDEs, MonoDevelop has limited support for languages outside of the .NET ecosystem, which can be a drawback for developers working with diverse languages.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported that MonoDevelop can be slow or prone to crashing, particularly with larger projects, which can hinder productivity.
  • Less Modern UI
    The user interface of MonoDevelop is considered less modern or intuitive compared to some newer IDEs, which might affect the user experience.
  • Community Support
    While there is some community support due to its open-source nature, it is not as extensive or active as other mainstream IDEs, potentially making it harder to find solutions for issues.
  • Integration with Latest .NET Features
    MonoDevelop may not always support the latest .NET features or keep pace with the rapid development of the .NET ecosystem, which could be a limitation for developers looking to use the latest tools and frameworks.

PowerBASIC videos

PowerBasic demos - MSXturboR/GFX9000 - 1994

MonoDevelop videos

C# programming with MonoDevelop on Ubuntu 16.04

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PowerBASIC and MonoDevelop)
Programming Language
100 100%
0% 0
IDE
42 42%
58% 58
Text Editors
38 38%
62% 62
Software Development
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

When comparing PowerBASIC and MonoDevelop, 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.

Microsoft Visual Studio - Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) from Microsoft.

Xojo - Real Software and Real Studio are now Xojo.

Eclipse - Eclipse is an open source community, whose projects are focused on building an open development platform comprised of extensible frameworks, tools and runtimes for building, deploying and managing software across the lifecycle.

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

Netbeans - NetBeans IDE 7.0. Develop desktop, mobile and web applications with Java, PHP, C/C++ and more. Runs on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and Solaris. NetBeans IDE is open-source and free.