Compiled Program CBasic Compiler Micro Any Amstrad with disc Price £49.00 Supplier Digital Research, Unit 12, Fenton Way, Southnelds, Basildon, Essex. The CBasic compiler is the only one of the four recent Digital Research programs that will run on CP/M 2.2 as well as CP/M Plus, but those who have CP/ M Plus will also be able to use the GSX Graphic system. CBasic is an implementation of Basic that has its weaknesses and also some very admirable strengths - an interpreted form of the language can be bought but the compiler version must represent the easiest way of preparing executable .Com files for use with CP/M. You are not supplied with an editor - most text editors or word processors will do, or even another language editor provided you can save the result as an Ascii file.
CBasic is not quite as comprehensive as the PCW's Mallard Basic but it is possible to define your own extensions and it is extremely strong on structured elements.
To allow full exploitation of these structured elements it is possible to compile functions and blocks on their own and chain them into other programs. When you get used to them these features are a joy to use. It must be said that DR's languages are not renowned for their speed and this is disappointing for a compiled language. However, the compilation helps enormously with the ease of use under CP/M and the program has much to recommend it. Tony Kendle
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