Programming in Linux

[The Bad One]

After looking at f***m****soft.com and other anti-M****soft sites, I am almost convinced I should start using Linux or another OS.
But my only question is, does Linux have a BASIC or a programming language similar to Visual Basic available? It's the only language I know and I don't have the time to learn a new one.

[voidmain]

Only knowing VB means you've already been programmed by M$. Hopefully you can be reprogrammed. Linux comes with a great number of Languages. C, C++, Perl, Python, sh/bash/csh/ksh shells, PHP, FORTRAN, Pascal, etc, etc. Visual Basic is proprietary M$.

[psyjax]

Besides, VB is crap. C is not that hard once you giv e it a shot and the power is fantastic! You can truely do anything you want.

Perl is pretty simple too and is based in C. You can script up Linux with Perl as well as do lots of other stuff.

None the less, there are some BASIC interpreters available, if you truely are into that retro programming thing  

[Calum]

BASIC is not however a Microsoft language, so i'd imagine there's be support for it, am i right? plus, he only said similar so technically, a lot of other programming languages qualify... so far as i see.

[voidmain]

Original version of Basic is not, a later version was, but Visual Basic is most certainly M$. Basic and Visual Basic are not the same thing.  There are many variations of "Basic" but Visual Basic makes basic object oriented (OOP) and also adds a graphical IDE for building FORMS etc.  Without that graphical interface, most VB programmers would no longer be VB programmers.  There are some basic interpereters out there that will run under Linux but are VERY rudimentary and I've only seen the ones that were more like GW-Basic (not object oriented, but line number based).  So "Basically" Basic is not an option on Linux.

GNU VB could have been created just as GNU C/C++ was created, but there is a reason it hasn't.  That is because "Basic sucks!". The better option for linux is C++ and if you want the graphical IDE with form building use "kdevelop" or other similar tools.

[ May 09, 2002: Message edited by: VoidMain ]

[psyjax]

There is a real great BASIC calld Chipmunk-Basic:

http://www.rahul.net/rhn/basic/

On the mac, it's real fun to play with. There is a Linux version too and is open source. It is rather advanced compared to old basic.

I have not used the Linux version, but if it is like the Mac version, then this program fetures limited OOP, sprite manager (for 2d games and stuff), no line numbers, a full GUI editor, debuger, and even some scripting capabilities.

It is by no means a development environment, but it's the best BASIC around IMO.

Any takers?

[voidmain]

I just downloaded it and wrote a simple little basic program. Ran without a problem. You're right though, it wouldn't be a development environment. Good find. It is probably the best one I've seen yet though that runs in Linux.

[dbl221]

It has been my painfull experience that once you learn one
programming language you can learn another easier.

That the VB transition will be hard...but keep at it
the more you learn the more you will love Linux.

[jtpenrod]

quote: But my only question is, does Linux have a BASIC or a programming language similar to Visual Basic available? It's the only language I know and I don't have the time to learn a new one.

Sorry, no VB for Liunx. However, I would suggest Python. Like BASIC, this is an intrepreted language. Furthermore, it's object oriented, and the syntax it nice and clean, The learning curve isn't all that steep. And you can get FxPy or QtPy that will allow you to write graphical apps with it. It's a good way to get into Linux programming. Not only that, Python shares some similarities with C++, so that won't be completely foriegn to you should you decide to pick it up later. Which, of course, you'll want to do if you get into programming for Linux as Linux uses C and C++ heavily.

Beats the living hell out of VB too    
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[ May 11, 2002: Message edited by: jtpenrod ]

[markdcc]

Check out Phoenix available at
http://www.janus-software.com/
or
Revolution at
http://www.runrev.com

I haven't used either, but it may be worth looking into....