MicroShare Basic ("MSB") is an advanced
implementation of the Business BASIC computer language. It is
compatible with the rich features available in traditional
Business Basic and also contains enhancements which provide
capabilities required by modern computer software applications.
MicroShare Basic has been designed to allow more than one user
to share computer resources, hence the name
"MicroShare". Under UNIX and Linux, MSB taps into the
power of these inherently multi-user, multi-tasking operating
systems to allow multiple users to share system files and network
resources.
Both programs and data files are binary compatible between all
versions of MSB allowing for easy porting and maintenance of MSB
systems on different environments and hardware platforms.
MicroShare Basic supports all language elements of traditional
Business Basic, including:
Keyed access files (DIRECT, SORT, MKEYED)
Supports dynamic record growth
Relative access files (INDEXED)
Full implementation of input and output statements to
terminals and printers
Fixed precision numeric operations
Variable length strings with subscript addressing
Free standing programs and program libraries
Standard error and escape processing
Long variable and function names
Multi-dimensional string and numeric arrays
Global variables
Enhanced system variables
Error branches for all MSB directives and
system/user-defined functions
Full support of ASCII/text files using native OS line
terminators
KEY first/last/current/next/prior/prior-prior functions
for keyed-access files
Built-in windowing and full color and text-graphics
support
Binary compatibility of program and data files across
operating systems
Extensive raw I/O capabilities with serial devices
In addition, the MicroShare development environment greatly
expands the power of MSB by providing the following tools:
Console mode calls to public programs
Over 50 MicroShare Basic utilities callable from
the command line
A full-screen program editor
Flexibility to use external program editor
Debugging directives
Go until a specific line number
Step through program execution one line at a time
Display current variables in use
Built-in utility programs and menu system
Click here
to view the MicroShare Basic language reference manual
