NS Basic 4.0 For Palm OS Released

Posted By: Ryan Thursday, November 20, 2003 11:36:32 AM

NS BASIC Corporation has released NS Basic/Palm 4.0. Major new features include improved shared library/API function support and closer ties to POSE and the Palm OS Simulator. There is also support an e-commerce plug in, and enhancements for OS 5 devices and larger screens.

"The enhancements in NS Basic 4.0 will make it easier for developers to build, test and sell their applications", said George Henne, President of NS BASIC Corporation. "The enhanced POSE and Simulator support means that users will be able to develop and test right out of the box, without needing to download anything else or having a Palm OS device."

The new version is available immediately. Upgrades for existing users start at $49.95. Customers who bought after October 1, 2003 will get the upgrade for free. Existing NS Basic programs are upwardly compatible with the new version. The 146 page handbook has been updated with the new features.

Here is what has been added in 4.0:

1. Shared library support greatly enhanced.
a. .INF format enhanced to contain variable type info.
b. Up to 50 args now allowed on shared lib and API calls.
c. No need to preallocate string for return values
d. Shared libraries can now be self contained in the project.
2. The Emulator now includes a ROM - no need to download/upload!
3. The Simulator can now be controlled from NS Basic.
4. GetVersion(prcName) returns the TVER version number of any prc file.
5. Pocket Purchase support added.
6. Support added for Tungsten T3.
7. Chinese Help files added.
8. French String Table added.
9. Hebrew String Table added.
10. Portuguese (Brasil) String Table added.
11. Russian String Table added.
12. Faster and more reliable installer.
13. Changes made to PalmOne device event codes.
14. GetVersion(prcName) returns tver version string for apps.
15. Tech Notes updated
16. SpecEvents sample updated
17. Improved messages in low memory situations
18. VFSLib: New function: GetDeviceUniqueString
19. SysInfo(9,10,11) added.

More about NS Basic for Palm OS
NS Basic allows developers who have used tools like Visual Basic to rapidly develop applications for Palm OS 5 based and earlier devices. NS Basic includes features such as databases, serial and IR communications, signature capture, bar code reading, wireless communications and more. NS Basic/Palm is priced at $149.95 for a single user version. An Enterprise edition is available. There are no runtime royalty charges for apps created with NS Basic/Palm.

On the desktop, NS Basic for Palm runs on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP. It also runs on Mac under Virtual PC and Linux under Win4Lin and VmWare. The executables produced will run on any Palm OS device using Palm OS 3.1 or later. The IDE is available in 10 different languages.

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Woo Hoo

Hal2000 @ 11/20/2003 6:24:37 PM #
First Post! Woo Hoo
I guess this is not important.

"One hour martinizing! Who is this guy martin anyhow?"
RE: Woo Hoo
RhinoSteve @ 11/21/2003 5:34:45 PM #
http://www.martinizing.com/

Learn it, live it, love your polyester.

Any NS Basic apps out there?

twocents @ 11/20/2003 6:17:32 PM #
Can anyone list apps made whit this tool? Also, are you required to install a VM or runtime?

RE: Any NS Basic apps out there?
pilot1000 @ 11/20/2003 8:44:48 PM #
I have messed around with version 1 and 2 but haven't gone for any of the upgrades since then. You need to install 2 libraries in order for most programs to run.

RE: Any NS Basic apps out there?
rmhurdman @ 11/21/2003 9:20:51 AM #
I made a trading game with NS Basic 2.2. I admit that a lot has probably changed since then, but I was totally unimpressed with everything but the ease of writing the program. It was huge (comparitively) because I decided to compile with the library, instead of requiring it to be loaded seperately. And it ran really slowly. I also found it very restrictive in what it allowed the programmer to do. I switched right away to Metrowerks CodeWarrior and have never looked back.

Robert Hurdman
www.iquebec.com/roberthurdman

RE: Any NS Basic apps out there?
nsbasic @ 11/21/2003 9:48:13 AM #
It's tough to know which apps are done with NS Basic unless you look at a hex dump. With the number of people using it nearing 10,000, it's a safe bet that there are a good number of apps out there using NS Basic.

There is no need to install libraries with an NS Basic program. There is an option to build them into your program so you have a single prc file.

RE: Any NS Basic apps out there? (2)
nsbasic @ 11/21/2003 9:48:13 AM #
Codewarrior is a vastly different tool than NS Basic. We use it in house and it's a great development environment. It's also C, which is a far tougher language to program in and it takes a lot longer to do projects. We've had many people tell us it what takes a day in NS Basic takes a month in Codewarrior.

Speed has come a long way since when you tried it. An NS Basic program runs 6 times faster on current devices than it did on the Palm III generation you were probably using, a combination of improvements in hardware and NS Basic. We're continuing to improve this, but our priority has always been easy of use and functionality.

Here are some comments from users:
http://www.nsbasic.com/palm/info/kudos.html

What a bunch of BS
acorntree @ 11/21/2003 1:19:52 PM #
Gee comparing a 16Mhz processor to a 400Mhz processor.
How nice. Why don't you compare apples w/ apples. Anyways, I won't be buying NSBasic.

RE: Any NS Basic apps out there?
nsbasic @ 11/21/2003 3:33:20 PM #
You can't compare 68k machines to StrongArm machines based on mips. Palm OS 5 essentially runs apps in a 68K emulator, so you only get a small part of the benefit of the faster CPU.

RE: Any NS Basic apps out there?
Edward Green @ 11/23/2003 6:35:03 AM #
I wrote kHiTeAnim very quickly in NSBasic
http://tinyurl.com/w6s0

I loved the environment.

The only reason I don't use NSBasic now is that I have very little time to develop - and a hobbiest choose not to spend my money on such things.

However if i was ever looking to produce a bespoke application - especially presentation or information for a Palm device NSBasic would be a real consideration alongside HTML and Flash.

Edward Green
--
http://www.khite.co.uk

Try HB++

margerum @ 11/21/2003 10:00:18 AM #
I've been playing around with handheld basic all week. It looks absolutely incredible. It compiles to native code and use the real palm controls. It doesnt try to be multiplatform which is a good thing IMHO. There's no runtime and no royalties. Its a little pricey at $1,000 but if basic is what you need it may be worth it. Check it out www.handheld-basic.com


RE: Try HB++
Highlander @ 11/21/2003 10:56:46 AM #
Price per license: 990 Euro = 1,181.47 USD !! OMG ! That's "cheap" !

No, thanks, I will definitely choose Codewarrior instead.

RE: Try HB++
Colmerauer @ 1/14/2004 8:16:48 PM #
Hi all,

good news, HB++ Professional Edition is now available for 413 Euro.

Unfortunaltly, my company bought before the sale :-(
The Entreprise Edition is for 613 euro, but it comes with unlimited support.

But it's worth the money IMHO.

Kevin

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