Please Sorry if i seem to be aggressive in py posting or if i seem to have no good manners.
My language is not the english, so i have not always the good or finest word word for explaining
my mind.
I really life here, i am a good guy always helping if i can.
Thanks for your understanding.
Here my answear:
General answear for all:
What i whas looking with BB3D:
a) a easy and fast access to DirectX without all the problems that DirectX need to work.
I think personnaly that MS have complicated for nothing his DirectX API.
There whas easy to give an Easy APIs commands and keep all the init stuff hidden or
not needed (Like BB, simple commands that do all the stuff in an easy way).
This is a good point for BB family
b) At least, a full compatibility in the BB family and a full range off datas size.
This is a bad point for BB family because i whas unable to compile sample games of BlitzPlus.
I will good understand that i can't compile a higher compiler source (BB3D) to a lower compiler (BB+)
But a 2D source => 3d Source MUST be full compatible other else problems are coming like a got
with ANY samples/sources of BB.
I don't know the date of creation of 'Blitz Boulders 2000' but if it is 2000, then whe are now 2004
and the source is incompatible and unable to run/compile.
Amos Basic (Amiga computers) and GFA-Basic (Amiga & Atari ST computers) whas very good
products as long as i can remember.
You can do everithing with it, and all size of datas + pointers whas present.
Everithing from the OS whas reacheable in an easy way.
I remember (for who knows the Amiga and the Amiga OS) that every OS of the Amiga whas easy
for graphics or others OS API (just make a call with params to a look-up table of functions)
and MS whas able to create an Easy OS API like this (for Win32 and DirectX but this another
story.
c) At least acces directly in an easy way to the OS API of Windows like BB dit it for DirectX.
I don't want have a hard day for simple OS API, this is just moving the problem.
I have the full (original and registred versions) of Borland C++ 4.5, Builder C++ 3.x,
Builder C++ 6.x, Delphi 2.0, Delphi 6.0.
And the free release of Borland C++ 5.5, Free-Pascal (very good and FREE).
But with this programming language, accessing DirectX is not an easy Task.
I don't want use BB for easy access to DirectX and difficulties to create a simple Menu or
'dialog box'.
d) A FULL documentation of the all instruction set and commands of BB.
A lot of things are not in the manual !!!
The auto-help (the F1 key) is nowhere (or not clearly ??) indicate in the manual, it is somebody
here in the forum that have give the infos.
BB is a good BASIC but there is not a good IDE, there is not a good documentation for
elementary functions (F1 Key, API access,...) that a newbie need to use and mastering BB.
Just imagine a genius cpu chip maker, that have created the best and fastest cpu of the universe,
but don't give the full instruction set documentation.
His cpu is useless and can go to the bin !
I am not a newbie in programming and i am ready to make a lot of effort to mastering BB,
i have learning programming in a time where ram size MUST be spared and code optimized.
I have keep habit of optimising my code, where if i can do it with a byte, i will not use 32 bits.
Just think about of a regular array of byte defining the tilemap of a level:
500 x 500 of byte = 250000 bytes = 244 Ko (rounded).
500 x 500 of byte x 4 (1 word = 4 bytes) = 244 Ko x 4 = 976 Ko.
976 Ko - 244 Ko = 732 Ko of ram spoiled just for NOTHING.
Personnaly, i don't think that it is very professional to spoil the hardware resource of
the user with this kind of programming.
Too bad everybody do it, Big companies like MS do it, but i am not a 'sheep of Panurge.'
I want to keep good habits of programming.
I think that previous programmers of the old school with very good programming technics whas
artist or craftman because there works whas great with very little in there. They can be proud
of there works. They have making the computers story a legend with unforgetables games hits.
For Dr Av:
I whas expecting about BB3D a lot of more commands for mastering and use the Win OS (like menu)
and compatibility with previous/and same family of BB.
I whas very angry and upset to see that i cannot compile a demo source code from BlitzPlus with
a BB3D full version (and upgraded with the last patch).
I had try find where whas the problem with 'check errors' and 'run the program' but they give
errors messages without saying where is located the problem.
This i why i have write a post to say how i whas disapointed.
When i send a e-mail to the support team i got no response.
This is why iwas angry and said that Blitz ltd and BB is not professional.
And not about the shareware/programmers that it use it.
It is too easy to put an 'Support e-mail' and never respond to any question that is send to it,
because there is a forum with good happy users that make the job for nothing.
I have nothing againt the forum or others help-users community because i have used/helped it a lot
with different purpose (programming, emulators, rpg,...).
For Anthony Flack:
- "Blitz Basic *is* 100% compatable with blitz3d however. "
False, see above !
- "Aside from that, I also think that when you say that blitz is only for amateurs you insult
everyone who is using it to create professional products, and personally, I take offense at
that."
Sorry about this misunderstand, this whas not what i mind, see above.
- "And of course when you say "This is Not professional And Not serious enterprise."
This is what i think, because there is no respond to e-mail.
If the question whas in the doc, the a proffessional that take care of customers give a
least a hint where you can find the answear. In this case nothing !
This is while a keep my mind about Blitz ltd.
For MystiK:
- "Perhaps you should take more than just a few days to evaluate a language before you
start posting this sort of rubbish. "
- "Did you even try the demo version before buying Blitz? "
Maybee i don't have past enough time withh BB, but i know enough to see what is wrong.
Yes, i have try the demo is not a full product and i whas hope thas in full versions this
missing whas gone.
For Semar:
- "you may try it a bit longer before to make your assumptions. "
I will try again, but it will not make disappear all the problems that i have listed.
Upgrade is free ?! This is a minimum, every compiler have free upgrade to download !
Yes, it has a lot of functions, but it lacks of basics ones, like byte and pointers supports.
See above.
Yes, very fast to create program. For the speed of graphics, nothing amazing because it use the DirectX.
This is not BB that is fast in graphics but only DirectX.
- "The offending error location is given by the debugger, which can be turned on from within
the IDE menu. It would give you the statement where the error has occurred. "
Sorry to say, it is false in some case. Try to compile 'Blitz Boulders 2000' from BB+.
I don't need "whistles-and-bells" but for example a 'cancel' after a bad paste is a minimum.
And a 'Option' for set the preference is needed.
Remember the working directory is an absolute neccesity, if this option is availlable where in
the doc is it explained ?
I use UltraEdit-32 and very satisfied of it, but why use an external editor if the IDE
is good made ?
Too bad the IDE is a bad one, and using UltraEdit is not a real solution because there is
no 'jump to function' at the right of the screen.
Where in the manual is it write that you can modify the config file and how ?
But i have found already, without some docs i don't touch it for security.
Ah yes, the F1 key ...Where in the manual is it write...
Yes, BB is a little Amiga style with less access to API.
- "I have no problem to compile a source of BlitzPlus with Blitz3D, unless I use commands that
are expecially made for BlitzPlus - such canvas, buttons, and such - or the other way around
- ex. using 3D commands which are expecially made for Blitz3D and not for BlitzPlus. "
Sorry to say, it is false in ANY case. Try to compile 'Blitz Boulders 2000' from BB+.
Try to compile ANY sample games of BB+
I am not stupid, if i had buy BB3D, it is just because i wanted a full compatibility with lower
edition of BB.
- "one strong point of Blitz is his compatibility. Of course, "
Yes, sure see above.
From BlitzBasic FAQ:
- Q: Is there an upgrade discount for Blitz2D owners wanting to buy BlitzPlus?
A: Unfortunately, no. We would have liked to have provided such a discount, but circumstances
beyond our control made this impossible.
I am not in this case, but... if this is your case, too bad, pay again.
When BlitzBasic whas came out, i whant really buy it, i have the chance that i have no
do it (i whas waiting how this product will evolve, luck for me) because they are so many
product very good (Just Look for Jade, a game creator programming language (From the author
of Amos basic) with a lot of more possibility (like internet games applets) but cost a lot more.
Morality: NEVER BUY a previous/beta release, or you will be ...
- Compatibility of BB and different version ?
See above. Enough example THAT there is different incompatible BB:
- BB2D.
- BB+.
- BB3D.
- "- a very friendly forums where you may find the answers to your questions; "
This is TRUE but this not a SUPPORT service, this is a friendly way to help together.
- "- the forum code archives, which is a repository of useful source code snippets, which covers
several topics, in both 2D and 3D programming. "
I must go see it somethime. I hope the source code is well documented, other else...
- "As in the real life, if you post a thread in a gentle and correct way, you may get help
from lots of users. If you, instead, act like an immature and shoot nasty words at 360
degrees, then you can't complain if you get no help. "
Like i explain before, i don't know perfectly the english, so somethimes i don't use the correct word
for say something. I don't want to be agressive, i am a nice guy and pacifist man ;-).
But really, i whas angry of all this unneccessary problems just for compiling a BB source code.
I just wanted to see how whas the size/speed/and efficience of 2D arcade game with 32 bits
sized tilemaps.
I had already started a levelmap/sprites editor but after writing somes line of code,
i see that thereis no byte support, no pointers, no unsigned variables.
The oldest BASIC that i can remember (ZX spectrum 48K in 1983) had unsigned variables and pointers.
Hiw disapointing not to find it here in BASIC of 21th century.
- "Again, you find the menu function and all the basic dialog box in the BlitzPlus command set.
I guess you need read more documentation, before to post such a thread. "
Why is this command not implemented in BB3D the most powerfull (and highest priced of BB family) ?
Just for selling 2 time the same product ?
For Dr Av and Semar:
Thanks for the links. I will look after, Yes BB seem to be good and powerfull but it can be better !
My language is not the english, so i have not always the good or finest word word for explaining
my mind.
I really life here, i am a good guy always helping if i can.
Thanks for your understanding.
Here my answear:
General answear for all:
What i whas looking with BB3D:
a) a easy and fast access to DirectX without all the problems that DirectX need to work.
I think personnaly that MS have complicated for nothing his DirectX API.
There whas easy to give an Easy APIs commands and keep all the init stuff hidden or
not needed (Like BB, simple commands that do all the stuff in an easy way).
This is a good point for BB family
b) At least, a full compatibility in the BB family and a full range off datas size.
This is a bad point for BB family because i whas unable to compile sample games of BlitzPlus.
I will good understand that i can't compile a higher compiler source (BB3D) to a lower compiler (BB+)
But a 2D source => 3d Source MUST be full compatible other else problems are coming like a got
with ANY samples/sources of BB.
I don't know the date of creation of 'Blitz Boulders 2000' but if it is 2000, then whe are now 2004
and the source is incompatible and unable to run/compile.
Amos Basic (Amiga computers) and GFA-Basic (Amiga & Atari ST computers) whas very good
products as long as i can remember.
You can do everithing with it, and all size of datas + pointers whas present.
Everithing from the OS whas reacheable in an easy way.
I remember (for who knows the Amiga and the Amiga OS) that every OS of the Amiga whas easy
for graphics or others OS API (just make a call with params to a look-up table of functions)
and MS whas able to create an Easy OS API like this (for Win32 and DirectX but this another
story.
c) At least acces directly in an easy way to the OS API of Windows like BB dit it for DirectX.
I don't want have a hard day for simple OS API, this is just moving the problem.
I have the full (original and registred versions) of Borland C++ 4.5, Builder C++ 3.x,
Builder C++ 6.x, Delphi 2.0, Delphi 6.0.
And the free release of Borland C++ 5.5, Free-Pascal (very good and FREE).
But with this programming language, accessing DirectX is not an easy Task.
I don't want use BB for easy access to DirectX and difficulties to create a simple Menu or
'dialog box'.
d) A FULL documentation of the all instruction set and commands of BB.
A lot of things are not in the manual !!!
The auto-help (the F1 key) is nowhere (or not clearly ??) indicate in the manual, it is somebody
here in the forum that have give the infos.
BB is a good BASIC but there is not a good IDE, there is not a good documentation for
elementary functions (F1 Key, API access,...) that a newbie need to use and mastering BB.
Just imagine a genius cpu chip maker, that have created the best and fastest cpu of the universe,
but don't give the full instruction set documentation.
His cpu is useless and can go to the bin !
I am not a newbie in programming and i am ready to make a lot of effort to mastering BB,
i have learning programming in a time where ram size MUST be spared and code optimized.
I have keep habit of optimising my code, where if i can do it with a byte, i will not use 32 bits.
Just think about of a regular array of byte defining the tilemap of a level:
500 x 500 of byte = 250000 bytes = 244 Ko (rounded).
500 x 500 of byte x 4 (1 word = 4 bytes) = 244 Ko x 4 = 976 Ko.
976 Ko - 244 Ko = 732 Ko of ram spoiled just for NOTHING.
Personnaly, i don't think that it is very professional to spoil the hardware resource of
the user with this kind of programming.
Too bad everybody do it, Big companies like MS do it, but i am not a 'sheep of Panurge.'
I want to keep good habits of programming.
I think that previous programmers of the old school with very good programming technics whas
artist or craftman because there works whas great with very little in there. They can be proud
of there works. They have making the computers story a legend with unforgetables games hits.
For Dr Av:
I whas expecting about BB3D a lot of more commands for mastering and use the Win OS (like menu)
and compatibility with previous/and same family of BB.
I whas very angry and upset to see that i cannot compile a demo source code from BlitzPlus with
a BB3D full version (and upgraded with the last patch).
I had try find where whas the problem with 'check errors' and 'run the program' but they give
errors messages without saying where is located the problem.
This i why i have write a post to say how i whas disapointed.
When i send a e-mail to the support team i got no response.
This is why iwas angry and said that Blitz ltd and BB is not professional.
And not about the shareware/programmers that it use it.
It is too easy to put an 'Support e-mail' and never respond to any question that is send to it,
because there is a forum with good happy users that make the job for nothing.
I have nothing againt the forum or others help-users community because i have used/helped it a lot
with different purpose (programming, emulators, rpg,...).
For Anthony Flack:
- "Blitz Basic *is* 100% compatable with blitz3d however. "
False, see above !
- "Aside from that, I also think that when you say that blitz is only for amateurs you insult
everyone who is using it to create professional products, and personally, I take offense at
that."
Sorry about this misunderstand, this whas not what i mind, see above.
- "And of course when you say "This is Not professional And Not serious enterprise."
This is what i think, because there is no respond to e-mail.
If the question whas in the doc, the a proffessional that take care of customers give a
least a hint where you can find the answear. In this case nothing !
This is while a keep my mind about Blitz ltd.
For MystiK:
- "Perhaps you should take more than just a few days to evaluate a language before you
start posting this sort of rubbish. "
- "Did you even try the demo version before buying Blitz? "
Maybee i don't have past enough time withh BB, but i know enough to see what is wrong.
Yes, i have try the demo is not a full product and i whas hope thas in full versions this
missing whas gone.
For Semar:
- "you may try it a bit longer before to make your assumptions. "
I will try again, but it will not make disappear all the problems that i have listed.
Upgrade is free ?! This is a minimum, every compiler have free upgrade to download !
Yes, it has a lot of functions, but it lacks of basics ones, like byte and pointers supports.
See above.
Yes, very fast to create program. For the speed of graphics, nothing amazing because it use the DirectX.
This is not BB that is fast in graphics but only DirectX.
- "The offending error location is given by the debugger, which can be turned on from within
the IDE menu. It would give you the statement where the error has occurred. "
Sorry to say, it is false in some case. Try to compile 'Blitz Boulders 2000' from BB+.
I don't need "whistles-and-bells" but for example a 'cancel' after a bad paste is a minimum.
And a 'Option' for set the preference is needed.
Remember the working directory is an absolute neccesity, if this option is availlable where in
the doc is it explained ?
I use UltraEdit-32 and very satisfied of it, but why use an external editor if the IDE
is good made ?
Too bad the IDE is a bad one, and using UltraEdit is not a real solution because there is
no 'jump to function' at the right of the screen.
Where in the manual is it write that you can modify the config file and how ?
But i have found already, without some docs i don't touch it for security.
Ah yes, the F1 key ...Where in the manual is it write...
Yes, BB is a little Amiga style with less access to API.
- "I have no problem to compile a source of BlitzPlus with Blitz3D, unless I use commands that
are expecially made for BlitzPlus - such canvas, buttons, and such - or the other way around
- ex. using 3D commands which are expecially made for Blitz3D and not for BlitzPlus. "
Sorry to say, it is false in ANY case. Try to compile 'Blitz Boulders 2000' from BB+.
Try to compile ANY sample games of BB+
I am not stupid, if i had buy BB3D, it is just because i wanted a full compatibility with lower
edition of BB.
- "one strong point of Blitz is his compatibility. Of course, "
Yes, sure see above.
From BlitzBasic FAQ:
- Q: Is there an upgrade discount for Blitz2D owners wanting to buy BlitzPlus?
A: Unfortunately, no. We would have liked to have provided such a discount, but circumstances
beyond our control made this impossible.
I am not in this case, but... if this is your case, too bad, pay again.
When BlitzBasic whas came out, i whant really buy it, i have the chance that i have no
do it (i whas waiting how this product will evolve, luck for me) because they are so many
product very good (Just Look for Jade, a game creator programming language (From the author
of Amos basic) with a lot of more possibility (like internet games applets) but cost a lot more.
Morality: NEVER BUY a previous/beta release, or you will be ...
- Compatibility of BB and different version ?
See above. Enough example THAT there is different incompatible BB:
- BB2D.
- BB+.
- BB3D.
- "- a very friendly forums where you may find the answers to your questions; "
This is TRUE but this not a SUPPORT service, this is a friendly way to help together.
- "- the forum code archives, which is a repository of useful source code snippets, which covers
several topics, in both 2D and 3D programming. "
I must go see it somethime. I hope the source code is well documented, other else...
- "As in the real life, if you post a thread in a gentle and correct way, you may get help
from lots of users. If you, instead, act like an immature and shoot nasty words at 360
degrees, then you can't complain if you get no help. "
Like i explain before, i don't know perfectly the english, so somethimes i don't use the correct word
for say something. I don't want to be agressive, i am a nice guy and pacifist man ;-).
But really, i whas angry of all this unneccessary problems just for compiling a BB source code.
I just wanted to see how whas the size/speed/and efficience of 2D arcade game with 32 bits
sized tilemaps.
I had already started a levelmap/sprites editor but after writing somes line of code,
i see that thereis no byte support, no pointers, no unsigned variables.
The oldest BASIC that i can remember (ZX spectrum 48K in 1983) had unsigned variables and pointers.
Hiw disapointing not to find it here in BASIC of 21th century.
- "Again, you find the menu function and all the basic dialog box in the BlitzPlus command set.
I guess you need read more documentation, before to post such a thread. "
Why is this command not implemented in BB3D the most powerfull (and highest priced of BB family) ?
Just for selling 2 time the same product ?
For Dr Av and Semar:
Thanks for the links. I will look after, Yes BB seem to be good and powerfull but it can be better !