I have just acquired a copy of QuickBasic 4.5 and will be using it to produce code for a 16 bit 80188 level embedded controller. This requires the generated code bi 16 bit. The controller came with Borland's Turbo C++ version 4.5 (I think that is the version) which is the development platform from the controller manufacturer. They have told me that any development system that produces 16 bit .exe or .com files will get the job done. So, the question is; does QuickBasic 4.5 produce 16 bit code? Also, how about Visual Basic for DOS less the 'windowing stuff' of course?
QuickBasic 4.5 is a 16bit compiler... Along with QuickBasic7.1, or beter know as PDS7.1,... And if you want to top it, FreeBasic (A near 99% replica of QuickBasic, modeled to be just like it) compiles 32bit apps..
Be warned QB-VBDOS comms had some quirks, some word widths wre incompatible with some stop bit numbers. I can find the exact values if you need them..
I would be interested in those exact values as part of my project would require RS232 comms with a microcontroller based sensor board that spits out data via RS232.
I am glad to hear that VBDOS also produces 16 bit code and am considering using it (in non-visual mode). I have some experience using it. I thought I was the only person that ever heard of it. I usually get blank stares when I mention it. I will have a go with QB4.5 first however.
victor:
My memory degrades every year. The limitation is the compiler does'nt allow 8 bits data to have parity. I found it in Dav's MS Knowledge base for QB database. http://qbnz.com/dav/qbkb/?action=dict_find. Do a search for COM1, you will find interesting things.
I forgot most of the issues about QB and comms, ten years ago I did a sort of texmode SCADA running a set of building HVAC controllers from Sauter.
Windows has made me drop the topic, too difficult unless you use VB.