FreeBasic 1.06.0

The FreeBASIC project is a bundle of cross-platform development tools initially developed by Andre Victor, residing of a compiler tool, GNU-based assembler, archiver and linker, and compatible runtime libraries, including a software based graphics library. The compiler, fbc, currently is compatible with generating for i386 systems on the Linux, DOS, Microsoft Windows and Xbox platforms. The project also includes thin bindings (header files) to some common 3rd party libraries like the C runtime library, SDL, Allegro, GTK+, OpenGL, the Microsoft Windows API and many more.

FreeBASIC is a high level developing language supporting procedural, object orientated and meta programming paradigms, with a syntax compatible to Microsoft Microsoft QuickBASIC. In fact, the FreeBASIC project initially started as an effort to generate a code compatible, free to use option to QuickBASIC, but is has became a strong and useful application.

FreeBASIC is not a new BASIC language. You don't need to master much if you are familiar with any Microsoft BASIC variant. You can use either -lang qb for compatibility, or default -lang fb for some of the new features, but it also brings some limits and some similarity with the C programming language. FreeBASIC is case insensitive; explicit main procedure is not needed; most of the console and graphic statements and procedures found in Microsoft QuickBASIC are integrated, etc.