PureBasic AmigaOS

PureBasic was born in the middle of 1998. We were in awe of the quality and speed afforded by assembly, the so called 'low-level' (but relatively difficult) programming language. At the same time, PowerPC accelerators for the Amiga were selling more and more, but lacking an easy language in which to develop PowerPC software. We decided to try and create a brand new compiler based on Standard BASIC, but with some extensions (mainly similar to Blitz Basic II) which would produce small, highly optimized code (very much like assembly) for both 680x0 and PowerPC processors. If you already know Blitz Basic , or Amos, you will have no problem in getting to grips with PureBasic. It has the same syntax rules, but with a much more open and flexible philosophy, better suited to the AmigaOS environment.


Technical Features

- 68000 and 68020+ support (PowerPC currently in standby)
- Built-in arrays, dynamic linked lists, pointers and variable definitions
- Supported types: Byte (8 bits); Word (16 bits); Long (32 bits), as well as user defined types (structures)
- Built-in string types with many dedicated functions
- Constants, binary, decimal and hexadecimal numbers supported
- Very good expression reducer (constants and explicit numbers grouped together)
- Standard arithmetic support in respect of sign priority and parenthesis +, -, /, *, and, or, lsl, asl, lsr, asr
- Compiles 30,000 lines/min using a 68030/50
- Procedure support for structured programming with local and global variables
- All Standard BASIC keywords: If-Else-EndIf, Repeat-Until, For-Next, etc
- External libraries supported; easily manipulate objects like: IFF pictures, sounds, windows, gadgets, etc
- Inline ASM
- Pre-compiled structure and constant files for extra fast compilation
- Integrated debugger to halt program execution and trace bugs easily
- Dedicated editor
- Configurable CLI compiler
- System friendly, easy to install and fun to use


Requirements

- AmigaOS V3.0+
- No other special needs


Product information

PureBasic is designed for both beginners and 'pure' advanced users alike. Here we will explain some important features demonstrating that PureBasic is a very powerful and unique language.

The "third party library" support is very modular and extends to any number of libraries. We foresee, in the near future, libraries dedicated solely to the realm of 3D graphics (via Warp 3D and software-only rendering); copper manipulation, and many other standard hardware bashing features. Only the necessary parts of each library are included in the final executable, so the size will always remain as small as possible. The functions contained in a library MUST be written in pure assembler (PPC or 680x0), to ensure maximum performance. Note: any user can develop their own libraries; all tools are provided in the full package.

The advanced system of structures and pointers allows the user to easily access the OS structures, allowing extra information to be used with regular commands. AmigaOS 3.1 is fully supported through a large file containing ALL constants and structures. Independent files are provided, so that if mistakes are made during conversion they can be easily corrected.

For all assembler optimizer freaks (like us ? :-): You can compile programs into a 'commented asm output file', containing all code in a comprehensive asm format; all directly recompilable with phxass. It has never been so easy to optimize small program parts!

The PureBasic source code has been programmed in a very modular fashion, and can support any processor or operating system. If AmigaOS moves to AmigaDE or AmigaPPC, there will be no problems as the user can still use exactly the same source code.