Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

QB64 VS Lobster

Compare QB64 VS Lobster and see what are their differences

QB64 logo QB64

Development

Lobster logo Lobster

Lobster is a game programming language.
  • QB64 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-02-05
  • Lobster Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-19

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.

Lobster features and specs

  • Efficient Performance
    Lobster is designed to be a high-performance language, focusing on efficiency in both compilation and execution, making it well-suited for resource-intensive tasks.
  • Convenient Syntax
    The language offers a concise and readable syntax, reducing boilerplate and making code easier to write and understand.
  • Strong Typing
    Lobster features strong, static typing that helps catch errors at compile-time, improving code reliability and maintainability.
  • Run-time Safety
    It provides various safety features at runtime, including bounds checking and automatic memory management, contributing to fewer runtime errors.
  • Game Development Focus
    Lobster is particularly well-suited for game development, offering specialized libraries and tools for graphics, audio, and input handling.

Possible disadvantages of Lobster

  • Smaller Community
    Lobster has a smaller user base compared to more mainstream languages, which can lead to fewer community resources, libraries, and third-party support.
  • Limited Documentation
    While Lobster is well-documented, it may not have as extensive documentation as more established languages, potentially making it harder for newcomers to learn.
  • Niche Use Case
    Being tailored for game development, it might not be the best choice for general-purpose programming or tasks outside its specific focus area.
  • Less Mature
    As a relatively new language, Lobster may not be as mature and battle-tested as older languages, potentially leading to undiscovered bugs or limitations.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its convenient syntax, transitioning to Lobster from other languages might require a learning curve, particularly in understanding its unique features and optimizations.

Analysis of Lobster

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Lobster (strlen.com) is generally considered a good service.

Why this product is good

  • Lobster by strlen.com is popular for its clean and straightforward platform designed for software developers to share industry news, articles, and discussions. It is appreciated for its focus on quality content, community-driven approach, and minimalist design, allowing users to engage with relevant technology-related information efficiently.

Recommended for

  • Software developers
  • Tech enthusiasts
  • Individuals interested in the latest industry news
  • People seeking a community-focused platform for sharing and discussing technical topics

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?

Lobster videos

The Lobster - Official Movie Review

More videos:

  • Review - The Lobster FILM ANALYSIS
  • Review - $6 Lobster VS $460 Lobster in Vietnam!!! (Biggest Lobster in Vietnam!)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to QB64 and Lobster)
Programming Language
100 100%
0% 0
Game Engine
0 0%
100% 100
IDE
100 100%
0% 0
Gaming Software
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using QB64 and Lobster. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Lobster seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 21 times since March 2021. 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.

QB64 mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of QB64 yet. Tracking of QB64 recommendations started around May 2021.

Lobster mentions (21)

  • The Neat Programming Language
    I think lobster does this. "Compile time reference counting / lifetime analysis / borrow checker."[1] "Reference Counting with cycle detection at exit, 95% of reference count ops removed at compile time thanks to lifetime analysis."[1] [1] https://strlen.com/lobster/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • What are some must have built-in modules in your opinion/experience?
    I think the ability to open a window and do graphical stuff is actually pretty underrated in core language functionality. There's a few game-oriented programming languages like Lobster that put windowing and graphics in the core language functionality, and I think it's pretty neat. The biggest downside is that it's a lot to bite off, because you'll probably want to have standardized API functionality for a whole... Source: about 2 years ago
  • Why does Rust need humans to tell it how long a variable’s lifetime is?
    There is another language, Lobster, that uses lifetime analysis like Rust, but IIUC infers lifetimes completely automatically. It looks like the idea is still experimental - I'm interested to see how it goes. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Plane - FOSS and self-hosted JIRA replacement. This new project has been useful for many folks, sharing it here too.
    I'm keeping an eye on Lobster though. It fixes most of Python's problems. It's way faster, has proper static typing, the import system is sane, etc. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Using a borrow checker to track mutable refs in a GCed FP language?
    Lobster (https://strlen.com/lobster/) appears to at least do lifetime analysis to reduce refcounting. I'm not sure about automatic interior mutability. I feel like there's a keyword here that can help find other compilers with similar features. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing QB64 and Lobster, 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.

Unreal Engine - Unreal Engine 4 is a suite of integrated tools for game developers to design and build games, simulations, and visualizations.

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

G3D Innovation Engine - The G3D Innovation Engine is a commercial-grade C++ 3D engine available as Open Source (BSD...

Xojo - Real Software and Real Studio are now Xojo.

Stride Game Engine - Stride is an open-source 3D Game Engine written in C# and released under the MIT License that allows you to build powerful game worlds for free or to generate income.