Rockwell Automation 2708-NBD VBASIC Language Development Kit - Manual (Page 10)

Chapter 1
Introduction to BASIC
1–2
Almost no one is using the original ANSI standard BASIC any more. The
language only allowed 26 variables, had no string capability, and was very
simplistic. Visual BASIC is a product of Microsoft Corporation which
expands greatly on the original language, and provides an integrated
development environment containing a BASIC program editor, a BASIC
compiler with a vast array of statements, and a debugging platform.
The Visual BASIC program editor checks each line of the program for
syntactical errors as they are entered. It has all the functions normally found
in program editors and is designed to interact with the compiler and
debugger. It facilitates the separation of functions and subroutines into
easy-to-read pages, and has full search and replace facilities.
The Visual BASIC program compiler can be invoked from inside the editor,
or from the DOS command line. Once an error is found, the compiler returns
control to the editor on the line with the mistake so that changes can be made
to correct the problem. When the program is compiled successfully, it can be
run either from inside the debugger, or from the DOS command line. If a
run-time error is encountered, the screen returns to the editor at the line
containing the error.
In the event the program fails to do what was planned, the program debugger
can be used to track down any logical problems.
These tools are essential for programmers at any level. We highly
recommend that you make use of Microsoft’s Visual BASIC to develop
application programs for the workstations.
What is Visual BASIC ?