Futurebasic

FutureBASIC

FBtoC Documentation Project

The Wikibook project supports the development of the FutureBASIC programming language. FutureBASIC, also known as FB, is a compiled procedural BASIC dialect used to develop applications for Apple Macintosh family of computers.

If you would like to contribute energy to the FB Documentation Project, please read our Style Guide for FB Documentation.

Language Reference and Programming Guide

The Language Reference focuses on the FutureBASIC language and syntax. While programming is discussed, this is primarily to demonstrate the language syntax. The Programming Guide offers far more detail on accomplishing specific tasks. The Beginner's Guide is primarily concerned with how to use the FB IDE and compiling programs. It exists to explain the process of compiling applications, not as a replacement for the Programming Guide.

1. The FutureBASIC Language
   1. FB Syntax and Language Elements
      1. Variables
      2. Data Types
      3. Numeric Expressions
      4. String Expressions
   2. Screen Output
      1. Console Applications
      2. Command-Line Applications
      3. Command-Line Applications
      4. Working with Windows
   3. Files and Folders
      1. FSSpec (File Spec) Records
      2. FSRef Structures-- Modern Approach
      3. FSRef Structures-- Legacy Discussion
      4. CFURLRef Structures
      5. POSIX Paths (Not posted)
      6. Path Conversion Functions
   4. Print Commands
2. A Beginner's Guide to Using FutureBASIC
   1. Editing FutureBASIC code
      1. The "Hello World!" Example: Compiling Your First Application
3. Programming Guide for FB (and FBtoC)
   1. Carbon and Why it Matters
   2. Developing Structured Code
      1. Flow Control
      2. Local Functions
   3. Event Driven Programming (Not posted)
      1. Event driven Programming with Carbon Events (Not posted)
   4. Introducing User Interfaces
      1. Creating and Using Menus (Not posted)
      2. Working with Windows (Not posted)
      3. Working with Controls (Not posted)
      4. Dialogs and Alerts (Not posted)
   5. Working with FIles and the File System
      1. Interaction with the Finder (Not posted)
      2. Reading & Writing Files, Navigation-Services (Not posted)
   6. Manipulating Data
      1. Working with Text Values
      2. Working with Numeric Values
      3. Working with Dates
      4. Working with Arrays
      5. Working with Records
   7. Working with Graphics
      1. Drawing with Core Graphics (CG) (Not posted)
      2. Drawing with OpenGL (Not posted)
   8. Printing from FutureBASIC (Not posted)
   9. User Interfaces
      1. NIB-based Graphical User Interfaces (Not posted)
      2. Advanced Menu Programming (Not posted)
      3. Complex Windows (Not posted)
      4. Advanced Control Programming (Not posted)
      5. More on Dialogs and Alerts (Not posted)
   10. Multimedia and FutureBASIC
       1. Sound and Music
       2. Videos and More
   11. Advanced Application Topics
       1. Text & Multilingual Text (Not posted)
       2. Introduction to Core Foundation (CF) (Not posted)
       3. Resources & Application Bundle (Not posted)
       4. Preferences Files (CF-Prefs) (Not posted)
       5. Threading in FB (Not posted)
       6. AppleScripting with FB (Not posted)
   12. Other topics are also planned!
4. Language Reference (Not every page of the complete LR is posted - yet!)
5. Using FBtoC
6. Beginners Guide to Programming Fundamentals
7. Glossary of Terms

Notes

The FutureBASIC and FBtoC freeware projects can be located at: http://4toc.com/fb4/