Editing PowerBASIC (section)

==Compilers==
PowerBASIC programs are self-contained and use no runtime file to execute. In all versions of the compiler, the applications compile without external libraries, though it can use such libraries if needed. PBDOS creates [[16-bit]] [[DOS MZ executable]] files, while PBWIN and PBCC create [[32-bit]] [[Portable Executable]] (PE) files.

===Turbo Basic===
Borland's Turbo Basic contains extensions to classic BASIC (without breaking compatibility), such as a drawing API and mouse access.

Unlike most BASIC implementations of its time, Turbo Basic was a full [[compiler]] which generated native code for MS-DOS. Other implementations were either [[BASIC interpreter|interpreters]], or relied heavily on a [[runtime library]]. The integrated development environment could run a BASIC program internally for traditional BASIC debugging (see sample below), or generate an MS-DOS stand-alone [[.exe|executable file]] that could be run on other systems without the Turbo Basic product or runtime libraries.

====Code example====
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Turbobasic11 01.png|thumb|Turbo Basic 1.1 editing the example code, in the zoomed editor window.]] --><!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Turbobasic11 02.png|thumb|Turbo Basic 1.1 running the example in the multiple-window IDE.]] -->
The following program is an example of the [[ALGOL]]-like BASIC dialect that Turbo Basic supported. Unlike traditional BASIC,{{citation needed|date=February 2018}} which used line numbers and had limited control structures and no support for ALGOL-like subroutines, modern BASIC dialects starting at this period were extended to make the language compatible with modern [[structured programming]] style by making line numbers optional and adding the control structures and subroutine definitions needed for structured programming.

<syntaxhighlight lang="qbasic">
INPUT "What is your name?: ", n$
PRINT "Hello "; n$
DO
  s$ = ""
  INPUT "How many stars do you want to print"; s
  FOR i = 1 TO s
    s$ = s$ + "*"
  NEXT i
  PRINT s$
  DO
    INPUT "Do you want to print more stars"; q$
  LOOP WHILE LEN(q$) = 0
  q$ = LCASE$(LEFT$(q$, 1))
LOOP WHILE q$ = "y"
PRINT "Goodbye "; n$
</syntaxhighlight>

(<code>s$</code> is a [[string (computer science)|string]] and <code>s</code> is a [[single-precision floating-point format|single-precision floating-point]] (number). They are separate variables.)

Like the other Borland products of this era, the code executes within the integrated development environment.

===PowerBASIC for DOS (PBDos)===
PBDOS includes an [[integrated development environment]] (IDE) and supports [[DOS]] 3.30 and all later versions.<ref>{{cite web |title=PowerBASIC 3.5 for DOS |website=PowerBASIC |url=https://www.powerbasic.com/products/pbdos/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117225331/https://www.powerbasic.com/products/pbdos/ |archive-date=2016-01-17}}</ref>

===PowerBASIC Console Compiler (PBCC)===
<!-- [[PowerBASIC Console Compiler]] redirects here (to make the PBCC disambiguation work) -->
PBCC is a 32-bit compiler for the [[Windows 9x]] series and [[Windows NT]] series of [[operating system]]s, including [[Windows XP]], [[Windows Server 2008]], [[Windows Vista]], and [[Windows 7]]. PBCC applications can use [[dynamic-link library|dynamic-link libraries]] (DLLs). The compiler comes with an [[integrated development environment|IDE]] including an editor and stepping [[debugger]].

No knowledge of Windows programming is required to create character mode or graphical applications with this compiler. PBCC-compiled executables can also be used as [[Common Gateway Interface]] executables (for web servers).

PBCC creates only executables, not DLLs. (PBWin — see below — can create both.)

===PowerBASIC Compiler for Windows (PBWin)===
PBWin is a 32-bit compiler compatible with the [[Windows 9x]] series and the [[Windows NT]] series of operating systems, including [[Windows XP]], [[Windows Server 2008]], [[Windows Vista]], [[Windows 7]], [[Windows 8]] ([[Windows 8.1|8.1]]), [[Windows 10]] and [[Windows 11]]<ref>{{cite web |title=PowerBASIC Compiler for Windows |website=PowerBASIC |url=https://www.powerbasic.com/products/pbdll32/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308053722/https://www.powerbasic.com/products/pbdll32/ |archive-date=2008-03-08}}</ref> PBWin can create [[dynamic-link library|dynamic-link libraries]]. PBWin applications can read dynamic-link libraries]. PBWin comes with a compiler, [[integrated development environment|IDE]] with editor, and stepping [[debugger]].

====Dynamic Dialog Tools (DDT)====
You can create an application's [[graphical user interface]] using the [[Windows API]], or by using the built-in DDT language extensions. The group of BASIC statements which wrap [[Windows API]] functions, particularly in the creation and handling of [[dialog box]]es and child controls, is collectively known as Dynamic Dialog Tools. Using DDT requires less coding than to create a similar program using the [[Windows API]]. Using the DDT and the Windows API (known as SDK style as in [[Microsoft Windows SDK]]) are not mutually exclusive.

====Trial versions of compilers====
PowerBASIC renamed PBWin v9.07 and PB/CC v5.07 as "Classic PBWin" and "Classic PB/CC", respectively, and on November 1, 2016, offered them for a short time through their online store as free, no-nag, trial versions along with PBForms v1.0 (PowerBASIC Forms).<ref>PowerBASIC 9 for Windows and PowerBASIC Console Compiler 5: [https://web.archive.org/web/20161005022613/http://shop.powerbasic.com/pages/powerbasic-product-catalog $99 and $89 on 2016-10-05]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20161106163339/http://shop.powerbasic.com/pages/powerbasic-product-catalog $0 and $0 on 2016-11-06]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20161218181204/http://shop.powerbasic.com/pages/powerbasic-product-catalog $0 and $0 on 2016-12-18]; [https://web.archive.org/web/20170228152624/http://shop.powerbasic.com/pages/powerbasic-product-catalog not offered on 2017-02-28].</ref>