Article ID: 43308
Article Last Modified on 11/21/2006
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft QuickBasic 2.0
- Microsoft QuickBasic 3.0
- Microsoft QuickBasic 4.0
- Microsoft QuickBasic 4.5 for MS-DOS
This article was previously published under Q43308
SUMMARY
This article describes differences among Microsoft QuickBasic Versions 2.00, 3.00, 4.00, and 4.50. (2.01 can be grouped with 2.00, and 4.00b can be grouped with 4.00 in the comparisons below.)
MORE INFORMATION
FEATURE
QuickBasic Version Development Environment 2.00 3.00 4.00 4.50 ----------------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- Assembly-language listings No No Yes Yes during separate compilation (compiler /A option) Error listings during No Yes Yes Yes separate compilation Microsoft CodeView support No No Yes Yes Hercules graphics card support No No Yes Yes Immediate mode execution No No Yes Yes Insert/overtype modes No Yes Yes Yes Instant Watches for variables No No No Yes and expressions Multiple modules in memory No No Yes Yes Multifile/multiwindow editing No No Yes Yes On-line QuickBasic Advisor No No No Yes On-line help No No Yes Yes ProKey, SideKick, and No Yes Yes Yes SuperKey compatibility Selectable right mouse button No No No Yes function Set default search paths No No No Yes Syntax checking on entry No No Yes Yes WordStar-style keyboard No No Yes Yes interface QuickBasic Version 2.00 3.00 4.00 4.50 Language Features ---- ---- ---- ---- ----------------- BINARY file Input/Output No No Yes Yes Block IF/THEN/ELSE Yes Yes Yes Yes DEF FN Yes Yes Yes Yes Definable lower array-bounds No No Yes Yes Fixed-length strings No No Yes Yes FUNCTION procedures No No Yes Yes Long (32-bit) integers No No Yes Yes Recursive procedures No No Yes Yes User-defined variable types No No Yes Yes QuickBasic Versions 2.00 3.00 4.00 4.50 Math Support ---- ---- ---- ---- ------------ IEEE format, math coprocessor No Yes Yes Yes support 8087/80287 support No Yes Yes Yes 8087/80287 emulation No Yes Yes Yes QuickBasic Versions 2.00 3.00 4.00 4.50 Memory Model and Linking ---- ---- ---- ---- ------------------------ Build quick libraries from No No Yes Yes environment Compatibility with other MASM only MASM only Yes Yes languages Huge arrays No No Yes Yes Quick library support or User User Quick Quick user library support Library Library Library Library
FEATURES NEW TO QuickBasic 4.50
In QuickBasic 4.50, you can access on-line help for QuickBasic's keywords, commands, and menus, and on-line help for general topics and your own variables. Examples shown on the help screens can be copied and pasted directly into your own program, reducing development time.
In the 4.50 editor, you can set the function of the right mouse button with the Right Mouse command from the Options menu. Use the function that best suits your needs.
For faster debugging, QuickBasic 4.50 offers an Instant Watch command for immediately identifying the value of a variable or the condition (true or false) of an expression.
Version 4.50 also lets you set default search paths to specific types of files. This lets you organize your files by type and keep them in separate directories. QuickBasic searches the correct directory after you set the new default search path. You can set default paths for executable, include, library, and help files.
Additional query words: QuickBas
Keywords: KB43308