Some of you may have looked at HotBasic and decided that there is
nothing there, or that it was not worth your time. That is or was
your call, but I've been getting deeper into it over the last few
years, and still maybe only know about a third of what's there.
What does HotBasic relate to? Well, it was first an effort to come
up with a compiler that would do RapidQ code. RapidQ (or RQ) is
an interpretive language, but having a compiler that goes the same
route is a net gain. HotBasic can produce Console, GUI, CGI, DLL,
and OBJ outputs just by specifying which you want at the start.
It is also available in a Linux compatible version.
What I'm trying to deal with now is its ability to handle inline
assembly code. The assembler capability is built right into the
compiler, unlike some basics that build on separate assemblers.
The gain is that the assembler can recognize variables being used
in the basic part and work with them.
My problem is that my background in assembler dates back to the
8086 16-bit architecture, and HotBasic is geared for the era of
80386+. There is some relearning involved, and I actually find
that some questions don't get answered that easily.
The thing I can't find out is what role the DS and ES segment
registers have in the 80386+. They had very specific roles to
play in string manipulation in the 8086, and they still exist in
the newer architecture, but how are they used now?
You got any answers, I am glad to listen. Or read, as the case
may be.
nothing there, or that it was not worth your time. That is or was
your call, but I've been getting deeper into it over the last few
years, and still maybe only know about a third of what's there.
What does HotBasic relate to? Well, it was first an effort to come
up with a compiler that would do RapidQ code. RapidQ (or RQ) is
an interpretive language, but having a compiler that goes the same
route is a net gain. HotBasic can produce Console, GUI, CGI, DLL,
and OBJ outputs just by specifying which you want at the start.
It is also available in a Linux compatible version.
What I'm trying to deal with now is its ability to handle inline
assembly code. The assembler capability is built right into the
compiler, unlike some basics that build on separate assemblers.
The gain is that the assembler can recognize variables being used
in the basic part and work with them.
My problem is that my background in assembler dates back to the
8086 16-bit architecture, and HotBasic is geared for the era of
80386+. There is some relearning involved, and I actually find
that some questions don't get answered that easily.
The thing I can't find out is what role the DS and ES segment
registers have in the 80386+. They had very specific roles to
play in string manipulation in the 8086, and they still exist in
the newer architecture, but how are they used now?
You got any answers, I am glad to listen. Or read, as the case
may be.
