QBASIC
As an introduction, QBASIC is a high-level programming language. Its full form is Quick Beginner's All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, and it is known for being simple and easy to learn. The original BASIC language was designed in 1964 by John G. Kemeny and Thomas E. Kurtz at Dartmouth College.
To start using QBASIC, you need to install an emulator program like DOSBox since QBASIC is an old programming language and cannot be directly opened like in Windows XP. Here are the steps to run QBASIC through DOSBox:
1. Download DOSBox from https://www.dosbox.com/.
2. Install DOSBox by double-clicking on the installation file.
3. After the installation, the shortcut icon for DOSBox will appear on the desktop.
4. Open the QBASIC folder and select the file QB.EXE.
5. Drag and drop the icon of DOSBox on your desktop.
6. QBASIC will then open inside DOSBox.
Alternatively, QB64 is a newer version of QBASIC that can run on Windows 7, 8, or 10 without the need for DOSBox. You can easily write, edit, debug, and execute QBASIC programs in QB64 by following these steps:
1. Download QB64 from Google.
2. Unzip or extract the file.
3. Double-click on Qb64.exe to run QBASIC.
Finally, here are some shortcut keys that you can use while working in QBASIC:
- To select the file menu: ALT +F
- To open a new file: ALT +F+ N
- To open an existing file: ALT +F+ O
- To save your program file: ALT +F+ S
- To exit from QBASIC: ALT +F+ X
- To run program: F5
- To get help: ALT +H +V or F1
- To exit from help: ESC
