All about QBasic and QuickBasic
What is QBasic/QuickBASIC?
QBasic as well as QuickBasic is an easy-to-learn programming language (and therefore ideal for beginners), based on DOS operating system, but also executable on Windows. Differences between QBasic and QuickBasic: QBasic is the slimmed-down version of QuickBasic. Compared to QuickBasic, QBasic is limited as it lacks a compiler. Therefore QBasic cannot be used to produce executables (.exe files). The source code (usually files with .bas extension) can only be executed immediately by the built-in QBasic interpreter. Furthermore, QuickBasic has a more extensive command set than QBasic.
Offers on QuickBasic Cafe:
The download section contains a lot of free software for programming in QBasic and QuickBasic, including compilers and interpreters for DOS and Windows, libraries for extending the command set of QuickBasic, sample programs (partially with source code), games and much more. In addition, articles and tutorials about programming with QBasic and QuickBasic. Please visit our QBasic Forum as well to know more about programming with QBasic and QuickBasic.
QBasic / QuickBASIC - an excellent Introduction in programming for Beginners
Best way to learn programming is to start with a lightweight programming language and a simple compiler. Qbasic (short: QB) has great advantages for pros and beginners that other compilers can't offer:
Helpful on typing proper Code
Code is checked for errors while typing; each expression will be evaluated immediately after typing. By the way, this extraordinary feature is an important reason for the great popularity of QB: the ability to check expressions while typing. This saves a tremendous amount of time when checking the code, in particular for large projects; just because a comma is missing somewhere.
QBasic with modern Windows OS's
Back then, when DOS was the most widely used operating system, QB IDE enjoyed great popularity. On current Windows systems, QBasic / QuickBASIC requires a DOS emulator, e.g. DOSBox.
Some more Features
No installation necessary, QBasic / QuickBASIC is portable and does't affect the system’s registry. When launching QB, a command line window opens that displays a couple of menus with access to standard functions such as editing, searching and debugging, just to name a few. Qbasic is ideally suited to all users, from beginners to experts; it's an impressive code interpreter including a powerful IDE.
Download Essentials
QBasic with Windows
Run Qbasic under Windows 7, 8, 10 & 11 (both 32 bit and 64 bit) within DOSBox or VMware Player: QBasic with Windows
QBasic Compilers
QBasic 4.5, Quickbasic Extended 7.1 and Visual Basic for DOS: QuickBASIC Compiler & Visual Basic
Most Popular Articles
QBasic with DOSBox
This Article describes how to run QuickBASIC 4.5 on Windows 7 and higher by using DOSBox: QBasic with DOSBox
QBasic for Beginners
This Tutorial will teach you how to start programming in QBasic: QBasic for Beginners
QBasic Online Manual
This section contains the complete command set of the most important QBasic versions, listed in alphabetical order (shown here as an overview). After clicking on a keyword, the corresponding information will be displayed: Description, Syntax, Parameters, Examples and Cross References.