C++ today is as simple as BASIC was in the 80s
Single header BASIC emulation in C++. This is based on my
(flawed) memory of the BASIC dialect in the
EACA
Colour Genie computer I
got on my 15th birthday.
Versions
- Original BASIC - AKA Dartmouth BASIC
- [Structured BASIC] (#sbasic)
Basic
Original BASIC - AKA Dartmouth BASIC
Header file: basic.hpp
Example program:
#include "basic.hpp"
int main()
{
_10: LET COUNT = 1;
_20: LET SUM = 0;
_30: LET STACK$ = ".";
_40: LET TRY = 0;
_50: FOR TRY = 3 TO 1 STEP -1;
_60: PRINT "You have ", TRY, " chances to get this right: ";
_70: INPUT "Enter a positive number ", COUNT;
_80: IF COUNT > 0 THEN GOTO _130;
_90: PRINT "I said positive. ", COUNT, " isn't";
_100: NEXT;
_110: PRINT "I give up on you!";
_120: END;
_130: GOSUB _160;
_140: PRINT "SUM=", SUM, " STACK=", STACK$;
_150: END;
_160: SUM = SUM + COUNT;
_170: COUNT = COUNT - 1;
_180: IF COUNT > 0 THEN GOSUB _160;
_190: STACK$ = STACK$ + STACK$;
_200: RETURN;
}SBASIC
Structured BASIC - AKA SBASIC
Header file: structured_basic.hpp
Example program:
#include "structured_basic.hpp"
int main()
{
_10: LET X = 1;
_20: INPUT "enter a positive number: " , X;
_30: IF X > 0 THEN GOTO _60;
_40: PRINT "Positive means greater than 0";
_50: GOTO _20;
_60: LET i = 0;
_70: DO ;
_80: PRINT i+1, " Basic is awesome";
_90: i = i + 1 ;
_100: LOOP WHILE ( i < X );
}Limitations
- C++11 or later (easy to back-port, but why?)
- Those pesky semicolons...
- Variables must be defined prior to use
- Can't be used in kernel modules ;-)
- Many language features missing, e.g. PRINT USING and Most I/O
PR's for fixes and added functionality are most welcome.