Short:        Advanced BASIC derivative
Author:       alphasnd@purebasic.com (Frederic Laboureur)
Uploader:     jrj aapt net au (James Jacobs)
Type:         dev/basic
Version:      4.00
Architecture: m68k-amigaos >= 3.0.0

PureBasic is a programming language based on established BASIC rules. The
key features of PureBasic are portability (Windows, AmigaOS and Linux are
currently fully supported), the production of very fast and highly
optimized executables and, of course, the very simple BASIC syntax.
PureBasic has been created for the beginner and expert alike. We have put
a lot of effort into its realization to produce a fast, reliable and
system friendly language.

In spite of its beginner-friendly syntax, the possibilities are endless
with PureBasic's advanced features such as pointers, structures,
procedures, dynamically linked lists and much more. Experienced coders
will have no problem gaining access to any of the legal OS structures or
API objects and PureBasic even allows inline ASM.

The main features of PureBasic:

   - Huge set of internal commands (800+) to quickly and easily build any
application or game
   - All BASIC keywords are supported
   - Very fast compiler which creates highly optimized executables
   - No external DLLs, runtime interpreter or anything else required when
creating executables
   - Procedure support for structured programming with local and global
variables
   - Access to full OS API for advanced programmers
   - Easy but very fast 2D game support trough dedicated libraries
(DirectX, SDL, ...)
   - Easy and high quality 3D support based on OGRE
   - Optimal use of the available hardware by using highly optimized
(assembly) commands
   - Source code is portable between AmigaOS, Windows, MacOS X and Linux,
for games and applications
   - Dedicated editor and development environment
   - Integrated debugger to easily trace programming bugs.

PureBasic AmigaOS:

PureBasic was born in the middle of 1998. We were in awe of the quality
and speed afforded by assembly, the so called 'low-level' (but relatively
difficult) programming language. At the same time, PowerPC accelerators
for the Amiga were selling more and more, but lacking an easy language in
which to develop PowerPC software. We decided to try and create a brand
new compiler based on Standard BASIC, but with some extensions (mainly
similar to Blitz Basic II) which would produce small, highly optimized
code (very much like assembly) for both 680x0 and PowerPC processors. If
you already know Blitz Basic, or AMOS, you will have no problem in getting
to grips with PureBasic. It has the same syntax rules, but with a much
more open and flexible philosophy, better suited to the AmigaOS
environment.

Technical Features:

- 68000 and 68020+ support (PowerPC currently in standby)
- Built-in arrays, dynamic linked lists, pointers and variable definitions
- Supported types: Byte (8 bits); Word (16 bits); Long (32 bits), as well
    as user defined types (structures)
- Built-in string types with many dedicated functions
- Constants, binary, decimal and hexadecimal numbers supported
- Very good expression reducer (constants and explicit numbers grouped
    together)
- Standard arithmetic support in respect of sign priority and parenthesis
    +, -, /, *, and, or, lsl, asl, lsr, asr
- Compiles 30,000 lines/min using a 68030/50
- Procedure support for structured programming with local and global
    variables
- All Standard BASIC keywords: If-Else-EndIf, Repeat-Until, For-Next, etc
- External libraries supported; easily manipulate objects like: IFF
    pictures, sounds, windows, gadgets, etc.
- Inline ASM
- Pre-compiled structure and constant files for extra fast compilation
- Integrated debugger to halt program execution and trace bugs easily
- Dedicated editor
- Configurable CLI compiler
- System friendly, easy to install and fun to use

Requirements:

- AmigaOS V3.0+
- No other special needs

Product information:

PureBasic is designed for both beginners and 'pure' advanced users alike.
Here we will explain some important features demonstrating that PureBasic
is a very powerful and unique language.

The "third party library" support is very modular and extends to any
number of libraries. We foresee, in the near future, libraries dedicated
solely to the realm of 3D graphics (via Warp 3D and software-only
rendering); copper manipulation, and many other standard hardware bashing
features. Only the necessary parts of each library are included in the
final executable, so the size will always remain as small as possible. The
functions contained in a library MUST be written in pure assembler (PPC or
680x0), to ensure maximum performance. Note: any user can develop their
own libraries; all tools are provided in the full package.

The advanced system of structures and pointers allows the user to easily
access the OS structures, allowing extra information to be used with
regular commands. AmigaOS 3.1 is fully supported through a large file
containing ALL constants and structures. Independent files are provided,
so that if mistakes are made during conversion they can be easily
corrected.

For all assembler optimizer freaks (like us ? :-): You can compile
programs into a 'commented asm output file', containing all code in a
comprehensive asm format; all directly recompilable with phxass. It has
never been so easy to optimize small program parts!

The PureBasic source code has been programmed in a very modular fashion,
and can support any processor or operating system. If AmigaOS moves to
AmigaDE or AmigaPPC, there will be no problems as the user can still use
exactly the same source code.