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PureBasic VS PowerBASIC

Compare PureBasic VS PowerBASIC and see what are their differences

PureBasic logo PureBasic

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

PowerBASIC logo PowerBASIC

PowerBASIC, formerly Turbo Basic, is the brand of several commercial compilers by PowerBASIC Inc.
  • PureBasic Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-21
  • PowerBASIC Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-18

PureBasic features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    PureBasic supports Windows, Linux, and Mac OS, allowing developers to write code once and run it on multiple operating systems without modifications.
  • Simple Syntax
    The language has a straightforward and easy-to-learn syntax, making it accessible for beginners and enabling rapid development.
  • Fast Executables
    PureBasic compiles directly to native machine code, resulting in fast and efficient executables with minimal dependencies.
  • Comprehensive Standard Library
    The language provides a wide range of built-in libraries that simplify tasks like GUI creation, networking, and multimedia management.
  • Active Community
    PureBasic has an active and supportive community, offering forums, tutorials, and third-party resources that can help developers solve problems and enhance their projects.

Possible disadvantages of PureBasic

  • Limited Third-Party Libraries
    Compared to more popular languages, PureBasic has fewer third-party libraries and frameworks, which can limit functionality and integrations.
  • Niche Market
    PureBasic is not as widely used as other programming languages, which can result in fewer job opportunities and community resources.
  • Lack of Advanced Features
    The language is designed to be simple, which means it may lack some advanced programming constructs and paradigms found in other languages.
  • License Cost
    PureBasic is not free software; there is a one-time cost associated with obtaining a license, which may be a consideration for developers or small businesses with budget constraints.
  • Basic IDE
    The integrated development environment that comes with PureBasic is quite basic compared to modern IDEs, potentially impacting coding efficiency.

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.

PureBasic videos

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PowerBASIC videos

PowerBasic demos - MSXturboR/GFX9000 - 1994

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PureBasic and PowerBASIC)
IDE
62 62%
38% 38
Programming Language
60 60%
40% 40
Text Editors
62 62%
38% 38
OOP
59 59%
41% 41

User comments

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What are some alternatives?

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Xojo - Real Software and Real Studio are now Xojo.

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Lazarus - Lazarus is a cross-platform IDE for the Free Pascal compiler.