PowerBASIC Upgrades QuickBasic Customers

Las Vegas, Nev. ----November 14, 1994 ---- As Comdex opened, PowerBASIC,
Inc. today announced the release of PowerBASIC 3. l, designed as an
upgrade for all QuickBasic and PowerBASIC owners. With this release,
PowerBASIC offers improved compatibility with the QuickBasic dialect. QB
programmers can easily move up to this advanced compiler, one which
promises continued development for DOS, Windows, and other platforms. At
the same time, existing PowerBASIC customers will enjoy wider access to
the large base of existing QB source code.

From a technical perspective, programmers will benefit from the
advancements in version 3.1. Until now, BASIC programmers were confined to
strict coding conventions, with no flexibility in the number nor type of
function parameters. Beginning with this release, PowerBASIC programmers
have total control to define C-style functions, both within their BASIC
code, and in external libraries. Any or all parameters may be declared as
optional by enclosing them in square brackets, while parameter types may
even be loosely defined as "ANY". Other enhancements include improved code
optimization, 64-bit equates, 64-bit radix numerics (binary, hex, and
octal), larger source files, expanded online help, and many free source
code libraries and utilities.

"Ever since this product was introduced by Borland as Turbo Basic,
programmers have come to expect new technologies from us", explained Bob
Zale, President of PowerBASIC, Inc. and creator of the compiler. "But
there are still thousands of programmers using QuickBasic who feel
abandoned, with no upgrade available for their aging compiler. One of our
primary goals with version 3.1 is to provide an easy path to a
state-of-the-art programming tool".

While version 3.1 is far more compatible with QB syntax than any prior
release, some differences can not be fully reconciled due to the
extensions already implemented in PowerBASIC. A QB upgrade utility is
provided to identify most of the remaining differences in dialect. Once
they have been identified, programmers can easily resolve the few
remaining conflicts. The QB upgrade utility is one of many written in
PowerBASIC and provided in source code format, so programmers can
customize it to suit their personal taste.

Another utility included with PowerBASIC 3.1 allows immediate formatting of
source code in a consistent, more readable fashion. Spacing, indenting,
keyword casing, and more, can all be controlled by the programmer. Other
free code with this version offers complete runtime mouse support,
advanced math formulas, and high-level serial port communication.
Likewise, all of this code is provided in source format to allow quick and
easy modification.

PowerBASlC 3.1, with a suggested retail price of $ 149, is available to
registered owners of PowerBASIC 3.0 for $19.95. QuickBasic customers can
upgrade to PowerBASIC for $99 by calling (800) 780-7707 or (408) 659-8000,
or by FAX at (408) 659-8008 with proof of QB ownership. PowerBASIC 3.1 is
also available from selected programming retailers and direct marketers..
PowerBASIC, Inc. is a privately help corporation based in Carmel,
California.

PowerBASIC Inc
235 Oak St, #21
Brentwood, CA 94513

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