TwinBasic

[fafalone]

Seems like questions better addressed to Wayne. But the point of tB isn't making a version of VB.NET (thankfully). I like the square brackets better personally. < > isn't used for *anything* in VB6 (besides greater than/less than, obviously), while there's at least a little square bracket use; to denote optional params in the object browser and info popups, and to wrap names starting with underscores, or defining a blank enum.

Any new feature is going to add to the complexity of the language; but the attribute names are very descriptive so it's not like tB is moving away from BASIC principles toward cryptic, unreadable syntax like some other languages. I don't think limiting tB to *only* the feature set of a language not updated besides the minor VBA7 changes since 1998 would have been desirable; any hope for a future of the language has to allow for modern language features, and how many millions of man-years have we all collectively spent working around VBx's limits? You don't *need* to use any of the newer, more complex stuff; you can always stick to just what was available in VBx... but despite the added complexity I'm certainly excited about all the new stuff.

[VB6 Programming]

So I wrote this for a post in a random thread in the VB6 forum, but thought I should add it here.

The WWW site for tB only lists a few of the new features, and there's no centralized list available yet. So I made a list of all the new features I could recall right now. These are all available *right now*...

• LongPtr data type (4 bytes on 32bit, 8 on 64bit)
• LongLong data type, available in both 32bit and 64bit (VBA LongLong is only available in 64bit Office)
• True Decimal data type instead of just inside a Variant
• Define interfaces and coclasses in language
• Implements allowed on inherited interfaces-- e.g. you can just implement IShellFolder2, and provide all the methods for IShellFolder, and tB will automatically respond to QI for IShellFolder *and* IShellFolder2.
• If you have an interface multiple others extend from, you can write multiple implementations, or specify one implementation for all: e.g. IOleWindow_GetWindow() As LongPtr Implements IOleWindow.GetWindow, IShellBrowser.GetWindow, IShellView2.GetWindow
• Implements allowed on interfaces with 'As Any' parameters-- you can substitute LongPtr.
• Implements Via to extend classes
• vbNullPtr allows passing null pointers to UDT members of APIs/interfaces (in VB6 you'd have to declare them As Any and then could pass ByVal 0)
• Short-circuit conditional operators OrElse and AndAlso
• Support for modern image formats
• Transparency on forms
• Bitshift operators << and >>
• New assignment operators: += -= /= *= ^= &= <<= >>=
• Thread safety/multithreading support-- no native language syntax yet (planned), but you can call CreateThread directly with no hacks
• Ability to define custom packing for UDTs with [ PackingAlignment(n) ] attribute
• AddressOf can be used on class/form/UC members, including from outside the class by specifying the instance. Also, no need for FARPROC-type functions, you can use it like Ptr = AddressOf Func
• Overloading, both with type of argument and number of arguments
• Generics
• DeclareWide to disable Unicode-ANSI conversion on API declares
• CDecl support for API calls (though The trick has a patch for VB6 that adds this)
• Continue For, Continue While, Continue Do, Exit While
• Return syntax for functions
• Err.LastHResult and Err.ReturnHResult to get/set COM interface hresults
• Parameterized class constructors
• [ Description("text") ] attribute for APIs, UDTs , and Consts that are shown in popups when you hover over uses of them
• Multiple modules/classes per-file
• Built in support for making standard DLLs with simple [ DllExport ] attribute
• Built in support for making kernel-mode drivers
• Built in support for overriding entry point
• Option to put all API declares in the import table rather than runtime calls like VB6 (VB6 puts TLB-declared APIs in the import table).
• Built in support to mark projects DEP-aware and LARGEADDRESSAWARE
• [ RunAfterBuild ] attribute-- you can specify a function that runs after your exe is built (there's App.LastBuildPath to know where it is if you're e.g. signing the exe)
• Register ActiveX builds to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE option
• Private/Public modifiers for modules and classes
• All tB-implemented controls support Unicode
• Unicode support in code editor
• Detects stale/dangling pointers for strings, replacing them with warning symbols
• Warnings for likely-incorrect hex literals &H8000-&HFFFF and &H80000000-&HFFFFFFFF
• tB-implemented controls all support x64 and are all dpi aware (Currently available ones: CommandButton, TextBox, ComboBox, CheckBox, OptionButton, Label, Frame, PictureBox, Line, Shape, VScrollBar, HScrollBar, Timer, DriveListBox, DirListBox, FileListBox, Image, TreeView, ProgressBar, DTPicker, MonthView, Slider, and UpDown. The Microsoft-provided OCXs for others will work but the x64 version of MSComCtl.ocx doesn't come with Windows and isn't legally redistributable-- but if you have Office 64bit, it works in tB).
• Form.DpiScaleX/Y properties
• Per-procedure [ IntegerOverflowChecks(False) ], [ FloatingPointErrorChecks(False) ] and [ ArrayBoundsChecks(False) ] attributes to disable those checks on performance-critical routines while leaving them generally in place.
• Constant function folding: You can specify a [ ConstantFoldable ] attribute for functions where when called with non-variable input, will be computed at compile time, rather than runtime. For example, a function to converted string literals to ANSI. The result would never change, so the resulting ANSI string is stored, rather than recomputing every run.
• Removal of limits on line continuations, procedure size, etc.
• Handles and Implements procedure syntax so you can use different names if you wish, for instance instead of Form_Load you can have Sub AppStart() Handles Form.Load
• IsNot operator
• CurrentComponentName and CurrentProcedureName variables

And I guarantee I'm missing some. There's a whole bunch more planned, including unsigned types, aliases defined in language, inheritance, etc.

So there's *already* a lot of compelling reasons to use tB over VB6.

That's a really impressive list. The progress Wayne has made on twinBASIC is amazing.

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 272 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

1. Click on "Assets" for the latest release
2. Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
3. Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 273 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

1. Click on "Assets" for the latest release
2. Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
3. Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

twinBASIC status update:

twinBASIC Update: March 12, 2023

Highlights include IDE bookmarks, improvements to the debugging experience, and a sampling of how twinBASIC is being used today.

twinBASIC Update: March 12, 2023 (nolongerset.com)

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 274 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

1. Click on "Assets" for the latest release
2. Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
3. Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 275 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

1. Click on "Assets" for the latest release
2. Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
3. Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[Niya]

Damn, doesn't Wayne ever sleep? How does he keep this up! The guy is a machine. Every few hours there's a new beta version.

[Episcopal]

Damn, doesn't Wayne ever sleep?

Leave him with insomnia

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 276 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

1. Click on "Assets" for the latest release
2. Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
3. Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 277 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

1. Click on "Assets" for the latest release
2. Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
3. Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 278 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

1. Click on "Assets" for the latest release
2. Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
3. Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

twinBASIC status update:

twinBASIC Update: March 19, 2023

Highlights include a compilation of 60 of twinBASIC's existing improvements over VB6, mouse scroll events, a Last Position feature, and other IDE improvements.

https://nolongerset.com/twinbasic-update-march-19-2023/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 279 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

1. Click on "Assets" for the latest release
2. Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
3. Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 280 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

1. Click on "Assets" for the latest release
2. Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
3. Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[SearchingDataOnly]

I'd like to know how twinBasic's handling of Variant types differs from VB6, or rather, what improvements there are. Thanks.

[fafalone]

They seem to behave identical; I haven't seen any outstanding bug reports nor have I run into issues, including code in my ucShellBrowse that handles Variants with unsupported types.

If you've got ideas for improvements, I'm sure Wayne would be open to suggestions, but I'm not sure what more there is to do with them other than eventually make sure they work with new data types in the future (there's plans for unsigned types, for example).

[SearchingDataOnly]

They seem to behave identical; I haven't seen any outstanding bug reports nor have I run into issues, including code in my ucShellBrowse that handles Variants with unsupported types.

If you've got ideas for improvements, I'm sure Wayne would be open to suggestions, but I'm not sure what more there is to do with them other than eventually make sure they work with new data types in the future (there's plans for unsigned types, for example).

In a few months, I'll compile my project with twinBasic. Once the compilation tests are complete, I'll make some suggestions to Wayne.

[OptionBase1]

The last time there was a time gap in updates, there was a very significant update released. I'm getting that vibe now, and it is exciting.

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 281 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

1. Click on "Assets" for the latest release
2. Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
3. Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

twinBASIC status update:

twinBASIC Update: March 26, 2023

Highlights include a New Project settings dialog and a screenshot of a sample twinBASIC project showing its existing capabilities.

https://nolongerset.com/twinbasic-update-march-26-2023/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 282 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

WinNativeCommonCtls.ListView control added (EXPERIMENTAL/INCOMPLETE)

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 283 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 284 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 285 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 286 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

twinBASIC status update:

twinBASIC Update: April 2, 2023

Highlights include an experimental ListView control, read-only JSON view for tbform and tbcontrol files, and a mention of twinBASIC in The Register.

https://nolongerset.com/twinbasic-update-april-2-2023/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 287 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 288 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 289 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 290 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 291 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 292 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

twinBASIC status update:

twinBASIC Update: April 10, 2023

Highlights include the addition of SendKeys support, CDecl support for certain types of API callbacks, and a vigorous discussion about possible tB namespace support.

https://nolongerset.com/twinbasic-update-april-10-2023/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 293 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 294 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 295 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 296 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

BETA 297 of the twinBASIC programming IDE is now available...

Download from here... https://github.com/twinbasic/twinbasic/releases

• Click on "Assets" for the latest release
• Download and Extract the ZIP file into a local folder
• Then run the twinBASIC.exe from that local folder

How to install https://nolongerset.com/how-to-install-twinbasic/

[VB6 Programming]

twinBASIC status update:

twinBASIC Update: April 16, 2023

Highlights include a steady dose of bug fixes and and a brief recap of twinBASIC's standing in slant.co's list of "best BASIC-like programming languages."

https://nolongerset.com/twinbasic-update-april-16-2023/