PureBasic Forums - English

Hi all,

I'm new to PB, but am really enjoying it so far!

I had a quick question... I am using the free version of the PureBasic software and was wondering what the paid version will get me?

I know that the paid version has:
* The 800 line limitation would be lifted
* Creating DLLs would be possible
* Updates for life
* You would be supporting a good company

Does that cover the main differences?

Thank you!

Johnny

I will happily put you on the official Kuron Christmas Card list.

Seriously, it is well worth the money. One fee for a compiler (with lifetime upgrades and updates) for the following platforms:

Windows 32 bit
Windows 64 bit
Linux 32 bit
Linux 64 bit
MacOS Intel
MaxOS M1+

Amiga OS. Don't laugh, there was just another update for Amiga OS released. So, the Amiga version of PB is still very usable.

Yes, you are supporting Fred and his small business. But you are also supporting the ONLY indie programming language developer who has actually kept his word all of these years. As a developer, business man, and a man, Fred's honesty and integrity is second to none. Fred isn't doing this as a money grab, he is doing this because he cares about his product and he cares about his users. And when you see somebody make something really special, you can see how much Fred is beaming in his posts commenting on what somebody created. He is like a proud Papa when he sees how creative people can be with his product. PB is the last indie BASIC still standing. Many have come and gone during this time. PB Is still here because of Fred and his dedication and work ethic.

I have been using it since Jan '04 and still think it is the best product around!

AFAIK for the demo:

800-ish lines limitation.
Compiling PB code as a DLL is not possible.
Pre-imported OS API functions, constants, structures etc. are missing (in the demo version you have to define and import them yourself but you can do it).
The demo is always the latest version of PB (so you can get updates indirectly)

The biggest limitations are probably program size and DLL.

Price is great for a lifetime license model. As updates are coming all the time, It feels more like a a gift to the community at this point.

I very much agree with Kuron's kind words about Fred.

I believe that you can't use the internal debugger, it always uses the external debugger, so you have another window open in debug mode (but I may be wrong, because I haven't used the demo version for a long time).

I think the biggest difference on top of the ones you've mentioned is that you can use the APIs of each operating system directly.
In this forum you will find a lot of code that uses the Windows API and also a few codes that use the Linux GTK directly.

Kuron wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 12:09 amWindows
Linux
MacOS
Amiga OS

You left off Raspberry PI. Yes, PureBasic supports 5 platforms for one price. Amazing!

Kuron wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 12:09 amYes, you are supporting Fred and his small business. But you are also supporting the ONLY indie programming language developer who has actually kept his word all of these years.

Well said, and totally agreed!

Thank you all for responding!

All of the information that you have provided has been very helpful and has more than made the case to buy the full version.

I really appreciate you pointing out the integrity of the author as well as all of the features gained in the full version!


Johnny

As Barry pointed out, I left out Pi.

Another benefit is Fred is relatively young. Based on past experience, age of the developer is certainly a determining factor in how long a product will be around. Also keep in mind, PB has been around a long time. I have been here since '04, but PB goes back to 1998 on the Amiga. People who bought it in '98 are still getting updates & upgrades for free.

Also, although not as current as it used to be, PureArea.Net is a wealth of information, and most code and examples there can be updated to current versions of PB. Andre has done a wonderful job on that site and it is still just as valuable.

And I am not joking, once you have bought it, contact me privately with your name and mailing address and you will get a Christmas card from Ole' Kuron this year!

Kuron wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2023 9:02 pm
And I am not joking, once you have bought it, contact me privately with your name and mailing address and you will get a Christmas card from Ole' Kuron this year!

Love it!!!