thinBasic 1.6.0.1 preview released

[ErosOlmi]

Here we are again with a new development line: thinBasic preview version 1.6.0.1

This preview will be the last thinBasic development cycle to support Win98, WinME operating systems. We will do our best to get a final stable version as much bug free as possible in order to satisfy all those people using (for one reason or the other) Win98 or WinME OSs. When this preview will be released as stable (in a couple of months) no more improvements will be release for unsupported OS. Remain clear that if any important bugs will be found preventing usage of thinBasic under unsupported OSs, we will in any case do our best to fix.

Now, back to new improvements introduced with this new preview version.

UI module will be highly implemented in this release.
We have incorporated progress bar functions directly into UI module. We have started with ListView, now, added with ProgressBar, we will continue with ImagesLists, TreeView and possible TABs. You will see.
Dialogs can now have background images in client area.
There are different ways to put a background image into dialog. All very easy to be used, just one line of code and UI engine will do the rest. We have some other ideas on that but will be more precise when something to test will be ready.
A new way to assign values to 2 dimension arrays.
Much easier and less code to write.
What about adding data, rows and columns, to a ListView with just one line of code using matrix arrays?
Now you have it. ListView_InsertData is the way.
Petr do not loose any chance to always improve TBGL help file.
Also this time he made some work on it. He also added a new function, TBGL_GetWindowAnyKeyState, that will allow to test if one or more keys are pressed. This will avoid to write many ORs in IF statement to test if %VK_W or %VK_UP keys are pressed. Just use this function with all the keys you want assign the same action. Thanks Petr.


Have fun
thinBasic Team

_________________________________________________
As usual, list of changes can be found in thinBasic help on-line at:
http://www.thinbasic.com/public/products/thinBasic/help/html/version_underdevelopment.htm

Download from official web site:
http://www.thinbasic.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=19&Itemid=66
or from mirror site
http://www.thinbasic.org/public/applications/thinbasic/thinBasic_1.6.0.1.zip

[kryton9]

Thanks for the update guys.

[Petr Schreiber]

Hi,

thanks a lot for new version.
Good to mention new keyboard function is in TBGL thanks to Eros!

Other improvements are really good ones, I like image on background of listview :P...


Bye,
Petr

[Michael Hartlef]

Great update as allways. Thanks guys!

[ErosOlmi]

Version updated.

This version contains:

new commands to set dialog background images and gradient
splitter control. A new nice control able to redimension other controls on the fly


After installation, see examples under the following directories:
\thinBasic\SampleScripts\UI\Dialogs
\thinBasic\SampleScripts\UI\Splitter

Regards
Eros

_________________________________________________
List of changes can be found in thinBasic help on-line at:
http://www.thinbasic.com/public/products/thinBasic/help/html/version_underdevelopment.htm

Download from official web site:
http://www.thinbasic.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=19&Itemid=66
or from mirror site
http://www.thinbasic.org/public/applications/thinbasic/thinBasic_1.6.0.1.zip

[Petr Schreiber]

Thanks Eros,

good to have it in one package now :)


Bye,
Petr

[catventure]

Hi Eros,

Thanks for new preview. Gradient and Splitter programs working Ok for me too.

Regards,
catventure.

[kryton9]

Thanks for the update Eros with all the new features in one place now!

[Michael Clease]

\thinBasic\SampleScripts\UI\Splitter seems to be missing

ignore this I think I installed the wrong version

[ErosOlmi]

Abraxas,

I just re-tested current online files and seems ok. Both official and mirror site.
Can you please delete your browser cache? Maybe it is loading a local copy. Also check setup file inside the ZIP. It should be dated 21.01.2008

Thanks
Eros

[Michael Clease]

I know what I did, I downloaded it then didnt extract the file but ran an old version with the number, it all gets a bit confusing when the version number are the same.

[ErosOlmi]

::)
When we will start the new development phase (not Win9x compatible) we will reconsider current update strategy.
Maybe we will introduce real build version, that is instead of always update the same preview version, release a stable version and a preview that has build number (the last number) always incremented.

Ciao
Eros

[Michael Hartlef]

What I do know is adding the date that I downloaded a preview to the filename. This way I can revert back easily.

[kryton9]

I don't understand the numbering system for versions, but there are lots of available numbers it seems with the current layout and I think an increment to the number for each minor update or quick fix would make lots of sense and easier to know what is what.

[sandyrepope]

What I do know is adding the date that I downloaded a preview to the filename. This way I can revert back easily.
I do the same thing. It helps me keep up with which preview I've got.

Thanks
Sandy

[ErosOlmi]

Version updated.

This version mainly contains:

statusbar control. Now statusbar is a native UI control with a set of dedicated commands.
few fixes and improvements
and just in case someone needs a browse for folder 3rd party control, I've got authorization to use zBff control, a browse for folder control created by Patrice Terrier. See Patrice words at http://www.zapsolution.com/
In case of problems, I need to tell you that zBff is not supported by us. In any case it is very stable. Also almost very close to original Explorer.
See example in \SampleScripts\UI\zBff\ Quite easy to be used.


After installation, see following examples. StatusBar has been added to some already present scripts:
\thinBasic\SampleScripts\UI\ProgressBar\ProgressBar.tBasic
\thinBasic\SampleScripts\UI\RichEdit\RichEdit_002.tBasic

Regards
Eros

_________________________________________________
List of changes can be found in thinBasic help on-line at:
http://www.thinbasic.com/public/products/thinBasic/help/html/version_underdevelopment.htm

Download from official web site:
http://www.thinbasic.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=19&Itemid=66
or from mirror site
http://www.thinbasic.org/public/applications/thinbasic/thinBasic_1.6.0.1.zip

[kryton9]

Thanks Eros for the update!

[Petr Schreiber]

Nice update,

I like a lot the statusbar with icons in new RichEdit_002 sample!


Thanks,
Petr

[catventure]

Yes. StatusBar examples working good here also.

Many thanks,

catventure.

[ErosOlmi]

Version updated.

This version mainly contains:

many fixes in thinAir. All recent bug reports should now be addressed
thinAir has now a templating system for scripts. Templates are generic pre-built scripts (or files) used to automate the creation of new scripts.
In thinAir configuration you will see a new Tab for Templates setup.
Under thinBasic\thinAir directory you will find a new directory dedicated to templates repository. Use that directory to manage your templates. New subdir can be created.
Use button "New" in toolbar to open Templates selection.


There can be some little problems in new thinAir template system under Win9x OS. We already know them and we are tryng to fix.

Let us know your impressions on new templating system. We have the idea it can be important for the future because it can be a way to distribute new basic but working scripts covering specific language functionality in details.

Regards
Eros

_________________________________________________
List of changes can be found in thinBasic help on-line at:
http://www.thinbasic.com/public/products/thinBasic/help/html/version_underdevelopment.htm

Download from official web site:
http://www.thinbasic.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=19&Itemid=66
or from mirror site
http://www.thinbasic.org/public/applications/thinbasic/thinBasic_1.6.0.1.zip

[Petr Schreiber]

Hi,

this was highly expected release, and I am very happy about it so far!
Roberto thanks for templating a lot! I will prepair TBGL templates for next release.

I have few ideas, but I will post them in appropriate forum.


Thanks thanks!,
Petr

[ErosOlmi]

Version updated.

This version contains the following enancements:

thinAir fix on syntax coloring and "recent files" lists
speed improvement in script user defined functions by more than 10%


Regards
Eros

_________________________________________________
List of changes can be found in thinBasic help on-line at:
http://www.thinbasic.com/public/products/thinBasic/help/html/version_underdevelopment.htm

Download from official web site:
http://www.thinbasic.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=19&Itemid=66
or from mirror site
http://www.thinbasic.org/public/applications/thinbasic/thinBasic_1.6.0.1.zip

[Petr Schreiber]

Hi Eros,

all thinAir files are from 8.2.2008, I think the fixed version is not present ???


Thanks,
Petr

[ErosOlmi]

Please download it again.
I uploaded old file because I forgot to put new setup exe file in zip.

Sorry, sorry!

[Petr Schreiber]

Hi Eros,

everything is ok now, back in color :)


Thanks guys,
Petr

[kryton9]

This is a very exciting release. I think having templates built by gurus in the language will be great to get started on all sorts of projects with all the initial steps setup correctly. Thanks guys for this important release!!

[ErosOlmi]

Version updated.

Mainly a maintenance update:

a new timer resolution counter
a little more execution speed improvement
some fixes in recent controls
thinAir more stability


Regards
Eros

_________________________________________________
List of changes can be found in thinBasic help on-line at:
http://www.thinbasic.com/public/products/thinBasic/help/html/version_underdevelopment.htm

Download from official web site:
http://www.thinbasic.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=19&Itemid=66
or from mirror site
http://www.thinbasic.org/public/applications/thinbasic/thinBasic_1.6.0.1.zip

[Michael Hartlef]

Thanks guys :)

[kryton9]

Thanks again guys!

[ErosOlmi]

Version updated.
_________________________________________________

TADAAAA: new TBGL module 0.2.2 from Petr Schreiber ;)
After installation, see \thinBasic\SampleScripts\TBGL\TBGL_0220_Samples\ for demos of new features.
Also read TBGL help file for the many new features and fix Petr has developed. Great job!
some fix in UI module. Still not perfect but should be better than previous preview
some more speed improvements especially in script function calling.
Compared with thinBasic stable 1.6.0.0 this preview version give a nice speed improve in script that have user defined functions inside


Regards
Eros

_________________________________________________
List of changes can be found in thinBasic help on-line at:
http://www.thinbasic.com/public/products/thinBasic/help/html/version_underdevelopment.htm

Download from official web site:
http://www.thinbasic.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=19&Itemid=66
or from mirror site
http://www.thinbasic.org/public/applications/thinbasic/thinBasic_1.6.0.1.zip

[matthew]

Ever since I got Vista I've experienced problems using thinBasic. :(

I've just installed the new version on thinBasic and rebooted my computer, now every time I start thinBasic I get a message on the screen saying 'thinAir.exe has stopped working'. I've tried 'right-clicking' on a thinBasic file and selecting 'edit' but thinAir still crashes.

[ErosOlmi]

Thanks matthew.
I'm checking with Roberto ...

[ErosOlmi]

There is a problem in configuration area of thinAir under Microsoft VISTA.

A temp workaround ONLY FOR VISTA USERS:

goto directory \thinBasic\thinAir\
rename thinairdat.ini to something else
now open again thinAir.exe. It should work now
goto menu Window\Options
check ".ini text file" in "Store option to" area


We are checking the reason why GPF. It should be related to the way Vista maps INI and Registry handling.
Eros

[matthew]

Thank's, it works now. :)

[ErosOlmi]

Good :-[
By tomorrow (CET time) we should have fix.

Ciao
Eros

[Michael Hartlef]

With all the latest releases, I had to delete the config file after installing a new version. And I'm not on VISTA.

[ErosOlmi]

Preview version updated after the mess of today. Problem fixed in this update are:

GPF on closing windows when executing UI scripts under Vista
thinAir is back to its version of 2008.02.12. Should work fine under all OS except Vista Tomorrow we will try to fix it
added 2 thinAir templates for TBGL script. Also created TBGL templates dir. Thanks Petr


Sorry for the mess of today.
Eros

[Michael Hartlef]

No Problem Eros,

it's the preview version and so errors are expected. I can allways work around these things.

Take care
Michael

[kryton9]

Thanks so far everything I am testing is coming out ok. I looked at the new tbgl samples so far and all is great!

[ErosOlmi]

Preview version updated.

Roberto should have now fixed thinAir problems under Vista.
Some problems were mainly generated by our installer not correctly handling Vista authorizations so some setup was missed
new BEGIN CONST ... END CONST syntax added
TBGL module and help updated: minor maintenance. Thanks Petr!
few little last minute fix


We are still working on new templating window and all recent suggestions/bug reporting.
Eros

_________________________________________________
List of changes can be found in thinBasic help on-line at:
http://www.thinbasic.com/public/products/thinBasic/help/html/version_underdevelopment.htm

Download from official web site:
http://www.thinbasic.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=19&Itemid=66
or from mirror site
http://www.thinbasic.org/public/applications/thinbasic/thinBasic_1.6.0.1.zip

[Petr Schreiber]

Thanks Eros,

BEGIN /END CONST is very nice, I am getting addicted to it rapidly :)
Also thanks for adding TBGL templates!


Petr

[kryton9]

Thanks for the update as always. Constant blocks are so very nice and templates really are cool too!

[ErosOlmi]

Preview version updated.

thinAir
More stability under Windows Vista
A new way to manage complex scripts. Now thinAir code browser (press F2 to show) can be snapped with thinAir. They will move and resize in sync. To apply this, go to thinAir config dialog and under "General" tab set "Browser anchor" to the left or right of thinAir (restart thinAir to activate or press F2 when in code). There are still some little problems in sync resizing. We will solve in next previews.
Some more speed in script execution in particular with script containing user defined functions
MOD operator has been deprecated. To get the rest of a division use MOD() function instead
CALL DWORD statement added. It is still experimental but can be used to make some tricks in external function calling
... and ... tadaaa ... TBGL: new improved version with new Entity features. Pretty sure Petr will list and gave examples


Regards
Eros

_________________________________________________
List of changes can be found in thinBasic help on-line at:
http://www.thinbasic.com/public/products/thinBasic/help/html/version_underdevelopment.htm

Download from official web site:
http://www.thinbasic.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=19&Itemid=66
or from mirror site
http://www.thinbasic.org/public/applications/thinbasic/thinBasic_1.6.0.1.zip

[Petr Schreiber]

Thanks a lot,

thinAir is now very friendly, I like it :) ( especially expanded F2 and Templates dialogs )

Regarding TBGL news, I added the functions Abraxas requested. Again changed their names :P
Will make a post with sample script.


Bye,
Petr

[Michael Hartlef]

You guys do a great job as allways. Thanks a lot!

[ErosOlmi]

I feel more comfortable to say: we all together ...
A software without someone testing, improving and more important using it is ... nothing.
Thanks

[kryton9]

Thanks guys. To add new features, then go back and update some existing code to reflect the new changes... a daunting task. Shows the great team here and how well you guys pull these things together so well!

[catventure]

Hi,

The F2 Browser for functions and subs is very nice! Thanks again.

catventure.

[ErosOlmi]

Preview version 1.6.0.1 updated.

thinAir
More stability under Windows Vista. We hope to have fixed as much problems as possible.

New Machine Code evaluation and execution functions: MC_Eval and MC_Exec
New dynamic #INCLUDE directive let you indicate wildcards (* and ?) in files to be included. In one go you can include multiple files
Many other "invisible" but important insides


Regards
Eros

_________________________________________________
List of changes can be found in thinBasic help on-line at:
http://www.thinbasic.com/public/products/thinBasic/help/html/version_underdevelopment.htm

Download from official web site:
http://www.thinbasic.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=19&Itemid=66
or from mirror site
http://www.thinbasic.org/public/applications/thinbasic/thinBasic_1.6.0.1.zip

[ErosOlmi]

Sorry all.
If you have right now downloaded new preview and neew updated SDK, please download it again.
I missed to update Power Basic SDK

Sorry
Eros

[Petr Schreiber]

No problem Eros,

thanks a lot for update, I wondered how long will you resist to release one ;)


Petr

[kryton9]

I guess I will download this update and ignore the other partial dll updates from a couple of days. Thanks for such frequesnt updates as always. It is just so exciting to come on frequently and to see significant additions to a language, what a dream come true!!