GLBasic is a commercial BASIC programming language that can compile to various platforms including Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and some handheld devices. The language is designed to be simple and intuitive.
Overview
GLBasic started as an interpreted language with 2D commands (GL stands for Graphics Language). It now uses the GCC compiler for many different platforms to achieve fast, native code results. The GLBasic precompiler "GPC" converts the simple BASIC language into C++ code and compiles it later. Thus, the user can extend GLBasic using the INLINE command to mix C/C++ code directly with GLBasic source code. Due to this, GLBasic can easily access third-party dynamic libraries on all platforms. The GLBasic SDK comes with an IDE, debugger, and a graphics engine built on OpenGL (or OpenGL ES) for the platforms Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, iOS, and WebOS. For handheld devices (Windows Mobile, GP2X, and GP2X Wiz), GLBasic uses its own close-to-hardware routines for fast graphics.
To compile for the iPhone or iPad, you will need an iMac (on which to compile the generated code - to comply with Apple's requirements) and the latest version of Xcode, which is a free download from the Apple website.
To be able to actually run the program on an iPhone or iPad (GLBasic programs will not work on the emulator), you need to be a member of the iPhone Apple Developer Connection.
Since the release of the 8.054 beta, it became possible to compile for the Open Pandora machine as well. However, with the lack of Windows programming tools half of the compiling process is performed on Windows, and the other half on the actual machine. Since version 10, the IDE directly builds packages on Windows for the Pandora.
Version 8.230 and above can compile for the Web-OS devices like the Palm Pre without additional hardware or developer program membership requirements. Support for the HP TouchPad was added in September 2011 via a web-update.
Version 10.057 added support to build application packages running on Android devices.
GLBasic comes with numerous examples.
Online publication
Apps created with GLBasic can be uploaded to the Apple App Store, Google Play, and HP's App Catalog; all of which require a developer account. Costs to the developer and pre-publication review level depend on the publisher used.
For Apple iOS the iOS Developer Program costs US$99 per year. All apps published on the app store are required to undergo a two-week, review-and-approval process prior to publication.
For Android there is a one-time fee of US$25. Apps published via Google Play Store are not subject to an approval process and are immediately available to the public.
Publishing via HP's App Catalog requires a free account. Apps placed for sale through HP's App Catalog undergo a five-day review process before publication.
A wrapper for the Intel AppUp Centre SDK is also available for GLBasic.
Features
GLBasic has the following features:
General
Programs are written in BASIC. String and numbers are automatically converted between types. Arrays can be a fixed size or dynamic. Sound, graphics and data can be compressed into a single file. Users can define their own types. Types within type and dynamic arrays are allowed. C code can be included by putting appropriate code between a starting and ending command, or can be included during compilation. In addition, for Windows, functions within DLLs can be called. A few features are only available in PC format. Programs for the iOS can use OpenFeint.
3D features
The 3D engine is simple to use and maintains fast processing of objects
Objects can be animated
Works with most of the common 3D formats
Objects can have shadows
An Entity System is available as a free open source library package
2D features
Sprites can be rotated and scaled and take account of blending and tinting values. Lines, filled rectangles, and other shapes can be drawn.
Network features
TCP/IP and UDP/IP sockets are available, as well as a higher-level library built atop the IP-sockets.
Compiler
The compiler is cross-platform. You do need an Intel Mac to compile the generated iPhone code though, as per Apple's legal requirements.
IDE
The editor is Windows only, but can run at a decent speed in most virtual machines. With Wine though, you can only compile for windows. Crossover/Mac support is given since version 10. A third-party editor for the Mac is being worked on.