FutureBASIC is a ticket inside Macintosh programming, with a far more modest headbanging quotient than other languages like Pascal, C, or C++. I might say it's designed for folks who don't have the time, inclination, or energy to learn a higher-level language, but that does FutureBASIC a disservice - its simple syntax, lovely editor, good debugger, and well-designed project interface make it a joy for programmers at any level.
Besides, it's cheap: US$49.95 for the program diskette, along with unusually clear and well-written documentation. For an additional $20, you get source code for four games, a diskette of the best of Inside Basic magazine, and a book called Programming the Macintosh Using FutureBASIC.
The highlight of the package is a game called Ball Catcher. It's not Doom, but by walking through the code, you'll learn about event traps, menus, creating resource files, and how to perform simple animations.
Whether you're writing commercial code or you just want to hack the Mac, FutureBASIC is a great product. - Daniel Marcus
FutureBASIC: US$49.95. Zedcor Inc.: (800) 482 4567, +1 (602) 881 8101.
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