Editing Gambas (section)

=== Differences from Visual Basic ===
Gambas is intended to provide a similar experience as developing in Microsoft [[Visual Basic]], but it is not a [[free software]] [[Clone (computing)#Software|clone]] of the popular proprietary program.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://opensource.com/education/14/4/beginner-programming-basic-gambas|title=BASIC programming with Gambas for the beginner programmer|website=[[Opensource.com]]|first=Joshua|last=Allen Holm|date=2014-04-24|access-date=2023-04-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ubuntubuzz.com/2022/01/alternatives-to-visual-basic.html?m=1|website=Ubuntu Buzz|first=Ade Malsasa|last=Akbar|date=2022-01-28|access-date=2024-03-10|title=Alternatives to Visual Basic}}</ref> The author of Gambas makes it clear that there are similarities to Visual Basic, such as syntax for BASIC programs and the integrated development environment; Gambas was written from the start to be a development environment of its own and seeks to improve on the formula.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://gambas-data-grid-codes-database.blogspot.com/p/vb-for-linux.html | author=Mark Alexander Bain | title=Gambas&nbsp;-- Almost Visual Basic on Linux | publisher=Suite101 | date=2008-08-28 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.linuxpromagazine.com/Issues/2008/95/Gambas-Basic-IDE/ | author=Frank Wieduwilt  | title=Programming with the Gambas Basic IDE | publisher=Linux Pro Magazine| date=October 2008 | access-date=2011-12-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.awce.com/gp3-gambas.html | author=	AWC Electronics | title=Physical Computing with Linux: A Rapid Approach using Gambas | access-date=2012-02-18}}</ref>

Its [[object model]], each class being represented in a file, as well as the archiver to package the program is all inspired by the [[Java (programming language)|Java programming language]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.linuxlinks.com/gambas/|website=LinuxLinks|title=Gambas – development environment and a full powerful development platform|date=2023-11-11|first=Steve|last=Emms|access-date=2024-02-25}}</ref> Gambas is intended to be an alternative for former Visual Basic developers who have decided to migrate to Linux. There are also other important distinctions between Gambas and Visual Basic. One notable example is that in Gambas [[Array data structure|array indexes]] always start with 0, whereas Visual Basic indexes can start with 0 or 1.<ref name="visualbasic">{{cite web | url=http://www.gambaswiki.org/wiki/doc/diffvb | title=Differences from Visual Basic | publisher=Gambas Website | access-date=2020-05-01 }}</ref> Gambas also supports the [[Comparison of Visual Basic and Visual Basic .NET#More C-like syntax|+= and -= shorthand]] not found in classic Visual Basic. Both of these are features of [[Visual Basic .NET]] however.

Gambas also outlived two other attempts at implementing a Visual Basic style interface for Qt and GTK on Linux,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dgk.or.id/archives/2004/12/16/hbasic-menghadirkan-vb-di-linux/|title=HBasic – Menghadirkan VB di Linux|date=2005-12-06|access-date=2023-09-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fredshack.com/docs/linuxbasic.html|title=BASIC for Linux|website=Fredshack|access-date=2023-09-26}}</ref> those being HBasic<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hbasic.sourceforge.net/|website=[[SourceForge]]|title=HBasic IDE and language|date=2007-01-16|access-date=2023-09-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.macoratti.net/vb_linux.htm|title=VB para Linux.|website=Macoratti.net|first=José Carlos|last=Macoratti|access-date=2023-09-26}}</ref> and [[GNOME]] Basic,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gnome.org/projects/gb/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050205194618/http://www.gnome.org/projects/gb/|title=GB - Basic for GNOME|website=[[GNOME]]|archive-date=2005-02-05|access-date=2023-09-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.linuxfocus.org/English/January2003/article277.shtml|title=BASIC programming with Unix|first=John|last=Perr|website=[[LinuxFocus (magazine)|LinuxFocus]]|date=2003-01-01|access-date=2023-09-26}}</ref> as well as the platform independent [[KDE|KBasic]]/Basic for Qt.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dot.kde.org/2000/09/29/kbasic-vb-radide-kde|title=KBasic: A VB-Like Rad/IDE For KDE|website=[[KDE]].news|date=29 September 2000 |access-date=2023-09-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ics.com/blog/using-qt-alternative-programming-languages-part-1|website=Integrated Computer Solutions|title=Using Qt with Alternative Programming Languages - Part 1|first=Jeff|last=Tranter|date=2015-08-19|access-date=2024-02-25}}</ref> Similar style IDEs have since been developed as well for [[FreeBASIC]], namely VisualFBEditor,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.com/2022/05/06/rad_basic_alpha_3/|title=RAD Basic – the Visual Basic 7 that never was – releases third alpha|website=[[The Register]]|first=Richard|last=Speed|date=2022-05-06|access-date=2023-03-26|quote=''FreeBASIC, which implements much of what lurked in Microsoft QuickBASIC (and has a nifty IDE in the form of VisualFBEditor).''}}</ref> and [[QB64]], namely InForm.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://warped3.substack.com/p/blast-from-the-past-qbasic-45|title=Blast from the past - QBasic 4.5|website=Barn Lab|first=Ivan|last=Rogoz|date=2022-04-07|access-date=2023-09-26|quote=''QB64 comes with a WYSIWYG IDE editor called InForm which brings it closer to everyday use as a quick and dirty language for automation for Windows.''}}</ref>