Buy PureBasic: Worth It?

[LeftyGuitar]

Hello all,

I'm not new to the world of programming. I played around with the trial version of PureBasic. I liked what I saw and what I did, though 800 lines of code is pretty limiting. Is it worth to buy it? I'm mainly a game programmer. I've worked with C/C++ and C#. I've worked with Microsoft Basic and Visual Basic and some FreePascal and even niche programming languages like Euphoria, or as it is now called, openEuphoria. Do you get the source code if you buy the full version? Not a deal breaker, but would be nice. I just want to know if it is worth it.

[Lunasole]

Hello all,

I'm not new to the world of programming. I played around with the trial version of PureBasic. I liked what I saw and what I did, though 800 lines of code is pretty limiting. Is it worth to buy it? I'm mainly a game programmer. I've worked with C/C++ and C#. I've worked with Microsoft Basic and Visual Basic and some FreePascal and even niche programming languages like Euphoria, or as it is now called, openEuphoria. Do you get the source code if you buy the full version? Not a deal breaker, but would be nice. I just want to know if it is worth it.

Hi.
So if you not new you already probably can see many things, +- and so on.
As for me it worth it, and $100 one-time purchase is generally not a big deal anyway, people usually spending much more for totally nothing. Can buy even few if have some extra $ and like to support more
Again as for me Purebasic has enough interesting things over any others existing (and similar of this kind), but that depends of how you see that all and what you need, so I'd not write a lot about it.

> Do you get the source code if you buy the full version?
IDE sources already are in public, the compiler is closed and full version doesn't affects that. While there is not only PB compiler, also GCC used at backend and so on.

Anyway just a brief reply

[BarryG]

Is it worth to buy it? I'm mainly a game programmer.

Yes, it's worth it. Since you're mainly a game programmer, look at this example first -> viewtopic.php?t=81159

And then look at this game on Steam written in PureBasic -> viewtopic.php?t=71095

[Caronte3D]

For the price, PureBasic is a present

[mk-soft]

Every programming language has its advantages and disadvantages. Since you have already programmed with different languages, you will know this.

For me, PureBsic was the right one.
- Linear programming, no object orientation (but possible).
- Runs on Window, Linux, macOS
- Highest common denominator of functions on all OS
- Direct API access predefined on each system

Memory handling is similar to 'C' (not 'C++')

Even though it is a niche programming language, it is very comprehensive and has a very long lifespan (over 20 years).

Purebasic is a true ASM compiler (Intel).
With the latest version, the C backend has been added to support other processors (Arm and M1/M2). Runs also under macOS (M1/2) and Linux Arm (Raspberry).

So it will be developed further.
(Currently a major bugfix is running through the system, but may take some time as Fred does almost everything on his own).

Looks like advertising. But I stand by it.

[deeproot]

Looks like advertising. But I stand by it.

Not advertising - it's all true

Worth it? - probably the best bargain you will ever find!

[swhite]

Hi

It is definitely worth it. I have developed all kinds of Windows services, Linux daemons, ISAPI extensions and Linux REST APIs using just PureBasic.

Simon

[LeftyGuitar]

Thank you all for the replies. I'm getting convinced to buy it!

[pjsmith67]

It all depends on what you want to do with it. I always say, the right tool for the right job, which I'm sure has been stolen from somewhere.

I have not done any game programming with PB so I can't comment on that, but what I can say is you get a lot for a one time payment of $99. To get what PB offers from Xojo (probably one if its most direct competitors), for example, you would pay $399/year.

The big drawback of PB that I see is that its GUI toolkit is somewhat lacking. It is adequate, but you are not going to create a nice modern GUI with it, not without a lot of work, anyway. Feel free to prove me wrong on that.

PB is great for console apps, small apps and utilities. Again ,I do not know about games. It is my current language of choice and I highly recommend it.

Phil

[LeftyGuitar]

Thanks again. All these points and suggestions sound good. One other question I had is how good are the wrappers? I skimmed the forums a bit and I saw that there are some wrappers or ports for SDL, SFML, etc. Are they complete or well made? If not, I wouldn't mind making some complete wrappers for SDL2, SFML, Raylib, etc.

[mk-soft]

I am not a game programmer either, but the RyaLib works really well.
You only have to make a small adjustment with Vector3 and Vector4, as these structures are integrated in the new version of PB.

Link: viewtopic.php?t=75276

[LeftyGuitar]

I made a simple wrapper using the demo version.

viewtopic.php?t=81341

[Janni]

I would say if you write over 800 lines of codes and enjoy it, 79 Euro is a steal for a lifetime license.

[useful]

If I am not mistaken, then the purebasic community is to be congratulated on its outstanding new member.
https://github.com/gAndy50?tab=repositories

[Fred]

If I am not mistaken, then the purebasic community is to be congratulated on its outstanding new member.
https://github.com/gAndy50?tab=repositories

Now we look like a stalker community