Can Select Case segments be safely nested, by placing another Select Case segment inside one or more of the primary Cases? Or will they "contaminate", messing up the stack of operations for the program?
I know we can nest For...Next and If...Then, but it's not made clear in the Help file whether this is ok for Select Case.
I'm still exploring, so this would be helpful to know.

In Windows 11, I go into Settings and then to the developer settings. Under "Terminal" I select Windows Terminal as the default terminal app to host command-line apps (the other choice would be the Windows Console Host).

After doing this, whenever I open the QB64 IDE, it also opens a Windows Terminal window. If I close that Terminal window, it also shuts down QB64. Likewise, if I close QB64, the Windows Terminal window also closes.

The next time I reopen QB64 it asks if I want to recover my program from an auto-saved backup. 

Is this expected behavior?


My preference is to use Windows Terminal as the default terminal app, but this side-effect makes it awkward.

Embedding any files into your programs by converting it into DATA lines or an C-Array

'+---------------+---------------------------------------------------+

'| ###### ###### |     .--. .         .-.                            |

'| ##  ## ##   # |     |   )|        (   ) o                         |

'| ##  ##  ##    |     |--' |--. .-.  
-.  .  .-...--.--. .-.        |

'| ######   ##   |     |  \ |  |(   )(   ) | (   ||  |  |(   )       |

'| ##      ##    |     '   
'  
-
-'  
-'-' 
-
-
|'  '  
-
-'
-      |

'| ##     ##   # |                            ._.'                   |

'| ##     ###### |  Sources & Documents placed in the Public Domain. |

'+---------------+---------------------------------------------------+

'|                                                                   |

'| === MakeDATA.bas ===                                              |

'|                                                                   |

'| == Create a DATA block out of the given file, so you can embed it |

'| == in your program and write it back when needed.                 |

'|                                                                   |

'| == The DATAs are written into a .bm file together with a ready to |

'| == use write back FUNCTION. You just $INCLUDE this .bm file into  |

'| == your program and call the write back FUNCTION somewhere.       |

'|                                                                   |

'| == This program needs the 'lzwpacker.bm' file available from the  |

'| == Libraries Collection here:                                     |

'| ==      https://staging.qb64phoenix.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=23      |

'| == as it will try to pack the given file to keep the DATA block   |

'| == as small as possible. If compression is successful, then your  |

'| == program also must $INCLUDE 'lzwpacker.bm' to be able to unpack |

'| == the file data again for write back. MakeDATA.bas is printing   |

'| == a reminder message in such a case.                             |

'|                                                                   |

'+-------------------------------------------------------------------+

'| Done by RhoSigma, R.Heyder, provided AS IS, use at your own risk. |

'| Find me in the QB64 Forum or mail to support@rhosigma-cw.net for  |

'| any questions or suggestions. Thanx for your interest in my work. |

'+-------------------------------------------------------------------+



'--- if you wish, set any default paths, end with a backslash ---

srcPath$ = "" 'source path

tarPath$ = "" 'target path

'-----

IF srcPath$ <> "" THEN

    COLOR 15: PRINT "Default source path: ": COLOR 7: PRINT srcPath$: PRINT

END IF

IF tarPath$ <> "" THEN

    COLOR 15: PRINT "Default target path: ": COLOR 7: PRINT tarPath$: PRINT

END IF



'--- collect inputs (relative paths allowed, based on default paths) ---

source:

LINE INPUT "Source Filename: "; src$ 'any file you want to put into DATAs

IF src$ = "" GOTO source

target:

LINE INPUT "Target Basename: "; tar$ 'write stuff into this file (.bm is added)

IF tar$ = "" GOTO target

'-----

ON ERROR GOTO abort

OPEN "I", #1, srcPath$ + src$: CLOSE #1 'file exist check

OPEN "O", #2, tarPath$ + tar$ + ".bm": CLOSE #2 'path exist check

ON ERROR GOTO 0



'--- separate source filename part ---

FOR po% = LEN(src$) TO 1 STEP -1

    IF MID$(src$, po%, 1) = "\" OR MID$(src$, po%, 1) = "/" THEN

        srcName$ = MID$(src$, po% + 1)

        EXIT FOR

    ELSEIF po% = 1 THEN

        srcName$ = src$

    END IF

NEXT po%

'--- separate target filename part ---

FOR po% = LEN(tar$) TO 1 STEP -1

    IF MID$(tar$, po%, 1) = "\" OR MID$(tar$, po%, 1) = "/" THEN

        tarName$ = MID$(tar$, po% + 1)

        EXIT FOR

    ELSEIF po% = 1 THEN

        tarName$ = tar$

    END IF

NEXT po%

MID$(tarName$, 1, 1) = UCASE$(MID$(tarName$, 1, 1)) 'capitalize 1st letter



'--- init ---

OPEN "B", #1, srcPath$ + src$

filedata$ = SPACE$(LOF(1))

GET #1, , filedata$

CLOSE #1

rawdata$ = LzwPack$(filedata$, 20)

IF rawdata$ <> "" THEN

    OPEN "O", #1, tarPath$ + tar$ + ".lzw"

    CLOSE #1

    OPEN "B", #1, tarPath$ + tar$ + ".lzw"

    PUT #1, , rawdata$

    CLOSE #1

    packed% = -1

    OPEN "B", #1, tarPath$ + tar$ + ".lzw"

ELSE

    packed% = 0

    OPEN "B", #1, srcPath$ + src$

END IF

fl& = LOF(1)

cntL& = INT(fl& / 32)

cntB& = (fl& - (cntL& * 32))



'--- .bm include file ---

OPEN "O", #2, tarPath$ + tar$ + ".bm"

PRINT #2, "'============================================================"

PRINT #2, "'=== This file was created with MakeDATA.bas by RhoSigma, ==="

PRINT #2, "'=== you must $INCLUDE this at the end of your program.   ==="

IF packed% THEN

    PRINT #2, "'=== ---------------------------------------------------- ==="

    PRINT #2, "'=== If your program is NOT a GuiTools based application, ==="

    PRINT #2, "'=== then it must also $INCLUDE: 'lzwpacker.bm' available ==="

    PRINT #2, "'=== from the Libraries Collection here:                  ==="

    PRINT #2, "'=== https://staging.qb64phoenix.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=23 ==="

END IF

PRINT #2, "'============================================================"

PRINT #2, ""

'--- writeback function ---

PRINT #2, "'"; STRING$(LEN(tarName$) + 18, "-")

PRINT #2, "'--- Write"; tarName$; "Data$ ---"

PRINT #2, "'"; STRING$(LEN(tarName$) + 18, "-")

PRINT #2, "' This function will write the DATAs you've created with MakeDATA.bas"

PRINT #2, "' back to disk and so it rebuilds the original file."

PRINT #2, "'"

PRINT #2, "' After the writeback call, only use the returned realFile$ to access the"

PRINT #2, "' written file. It's your given path, but with an maybe altered filename"

PRINT #2, "' (number added) in order to avoid the overwriting of an already existing"

PRINT #2, "' file with the same name in the given location."

PRINT #2, "'----------"

PRINT #2, "' SYNTAX:"

PRINT #2, "'   realFile$ = Write"; tarName$; "Data$ (wantFile$)"

PRINT #2, "'----------"

PRINT #2, "' INPUTS:"

PRINT #2, "'   --- wantFile$ ---"

PRINT #2, "'    The filename you would like to write the DATAs to, can contain"

PRINT #2, "'    a full or relative path."

PRINT #2, "'----------"

PRINT #2, "' RESULT:"

PRINT #2, "'   --- realFile$ ---"

PRINT #2, "'    - On success this is the path and filename finally used after all"

PRINT #2, "'      applied checks, use only this returned filename to access the"

PRINT #2, "'      written file."

PRINT #2, "'    - On failure this function will panic with the appropriate runtime"

PRINT #2, "'      error code which you may trap and handle as needed with your own"

PRINT #2, "'      ON ERROR GOTO... handler."

PRINT #2, "'---------------------------------------------------------------------"

PRINT #2, "FUNCTION Write"; tarName$; "Data$ (file$)"

PRINT #2, "'--- option _explicit requirements ---"

PRINT #2, "DIM po%, body$, ext$, num%, numL&, numB&, rawdata$, stroffs&, i&, dat&, ff%";

IF packed% THEN PRINT #2, ", filedata$": ELSE PRINT #2, ""

PRINT #2, "'--- separate filename body & extension ---"

PRINT #2, "FOR po% = LEN(file$) TO 1 STEP -1"

PRINT #2, "    IF MID$(file$, po%, 1) = "; CHR$(34); "."; CHR$(34); " THEN"

PRINT #2, "        body$ = LEFT$(file$, po% - 1)"

PRINT #2, "        ext$ = MID$(file$, po%)"

PRINT #2, "        EXIT FOR"

PRINT #2, "    ELSEIF MID$(file$, po%, 1) = "; CHR$(34); "\"; CHR$(34); " OR MID$(file$, po%, 1) = "; CHR$(34); "/"; CHR$(34); " OR po% = 1 THEN"

PRINT #2, "        body$ = file$"

PRINT #2, "        ext$ = "; CHR$(34); CHR$(34)

PRINT #2, "        EXIT FOR"

PRINT #2, "    END IF"

PRINT #2, "NEXT po%"

PRINT #2, "'--- avoid overwriting of existing files ---"

PRINT #2, "num% = 1"

PRINT #2, "WHILE _FILEEXISTS(file$)"

PRINT #2, "    file$ = body$ + "; CHR$(34); "("; CHR$(34); " + LTRIM$(STR$(num%)) + "; CHR$(34); ")"; CHR$(34); " + ext$"

PRINT #2, "    num% = num% + 1"

PRINT #2, "WEND"

PRINT #2, "'--- write DATAs ---"

PRINT #2, "RESTORE "; tarName$

PRINT #2, "READ numL&, numB&"

PRINT #2, "rawdata$ = SPACE$((numL& * 4) + numB&)"

PRINT #2, "stroffs& = 1"

PRINT #2, "FOR i& = 1 TO numL&"

PRINT #2, "    READ dat&"

PRINT #2, "    MID$(rawdata$, stroffs&, 4) = MKL$(dat&)"

PRINT #2, "    stroffs& = stroffs& + 4"

PRINT #2, "NEXT i&"

PRINT #2, "IF numB& > 0 THEN"

PRINT #2, "    FOR i& = 1 TO numB&"

PRINT #2, "        READ dat&"

PRINT #2, "        MID$(rawdata$, stroffs&, 1) = CHR$(dat&)"

PRINT #2, "        stroffs& = stroffs& + 1"

PRINT #2, "    NEXT i&"

PRINT #2, "END IF"

PRINT #2, "ff% = FREEFILE"

PRINT #2, "OPEN file$ FOR OUTPUT AS ff%"

IF packed% THEN

    PRINT #2, "CLOSE ff%"

    PRINT #2, "filedata$ = LzwUnpack$(rawdata$)"

    PRINT #2, "OPEN file$ FOR BINARY AS ff%"

    PRINT #2, "PUT #ff%, , filedata$"

ELSE

    PRINT #2, "PRINT #ff%, rawdata$;"

END IF

PRINT #2, "CLOSE ff%"

PRINT #2, "'--- set result ---"

PRINT #2, "Write"; tarName$; "Data$ = file$"

PRINT #2, "EXIT FUNCTION"

PRINT #2, ""

PRINT #2, "'--- DATAs representing the contents of file "; srcName$

PRINT #2, "'---------------------------------------------------------------------"

PRINT #2, tarName$; ":"

'--- read LONGs ---

PRINT #2, "DATA "; LTRIM$(STR$(cntL& * 8)); ","; LTRIM$(STR$(cntB&))

tmpI$ = SPACE$(32)

FOR z& = 1 TO cntL&

    GET #1, , tmpI$: offI% = 1

    tmpO$ = "DATA " + STRING$(87, ","): offO% = 6

    DO

        tmpL& = CVL(MID$(tmpI$, offI%, 4)): offI% = offI% + 4

        MID$(tmpO$, offO%, 10) = "&H" + RIGHT$("00000000" + HEX$(tmpL&), 8)

        offO% = offO% + 11

    LOOP UNTIL offO% > 92

    PRINT #2, tmpO$

NEXT z&

'--- read remaining BYTEs ---

IF cntB& > 0 THEN

    PRINT #2, "DATA ";

    FOR x% = 1 TO cntB&

        GET #1, , tmpB%%

        PRINT #2, "&H" + RIGHT$("00" + HEX$(tmpB%%), 2);

        IF x% <> 16 THEN

            IF x% <> cntB& THEN PRINT #2, ",";

        ELSE

            IF x% <> cntB& THEN

                PRINT #2, ""

                PRINT #2, "DATA ";

            END IF

        END IF

    NEXT x%

    PRINT #2, ""

END IF

PRINT #2, "END FUNCTION"

PRINT #2, ""

'--- ending ---

CLOSE #2

CLOSE #1



'--- finish message ---

COLOR 10: PRINT: PRINT "file successfully processed..."

COLOR 9: PRINT: PRINT "You must $INCLUDE the created file (target name + .bm extension) at"

PRINT "the end of your program and call the function 'Write"; tarName$; "Data$(...)'"

PRINT "in an appropriate place to write the file back to disk."

IF packed% THEN

    COLOR 12: PRINT: PRINT "Your program must also $INCLUDE 'lzwpacker.bm' available from"

    PRINT "the Libraries Collection here:"

    PRINT "     https://staging.qb64phoenix.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=23"

    PRINT "to be able to write back the just processed file."

    KILL tarPath$ + tar$ + ".lzw"

END IF

done:

COLOR 7

END

'--- error handler ---

abort:

COLOR 12: PRINT: PRINT "something is wrong with path/file access, check your inputs and try again..."

RESUME done



'$INCLUDE: 'QB64Library\LZW-Compress\lzwpacker.bm'






And now the second tool MakeCARR. It will do the whole thing in an array on C/C++ level, rather then in DATAs on the BASIC level. Although it's handling is a bit more tricky, as you get not only a .bm file, but also a .h file, and both must match (ie. the DECLARE LIBRARY path in the .bm must point to the .h), this approch has several advantages especially for big files:
Unless DATAs, which are included in the final EXE as written (ie. as ASCII chars), a C-Array containing numbers is embedded as (you guess) array of binary numbers, hence even uncompressed it would not take more space than the original file. This makes the compression even more valuable, as it really reduces the final EXE size, instead of just compensating the Number-to-Ascii bloat only as for the DATAs.


As the array is stored as successive numbers in memory, it's possible to write back the entire array with just one disk access, which is much faster than reading all single DATAs and concatenate them into one big string, which is then written out.


As the converted data is not in the included .bm file anymore (but in the .h file now), the syntax checking/compiling in the IDE will need less, depending on filesize much less time to finish, as it doesn't need to check 100s (or even 1000s) of DATA lines.


On C/C++ level it's easy to expand the given writeback path/filename into a full qualified absolut path using a standard library call. This path/filename is returned through the writeback function and can be used in your program to always safely access the written file, doesn't matter how often you change the current working directory using the CHDIR statement.


For any files, which are only needed temporarily during program runtime you can specify an auto-cleanup, which automatically deletes the written file again, as soon as your program terminates. This feature is also easily accessible on C/C++ level through an 'atexit()' function.



Again, if you're using at least QB64 v1.4 or any Phoenix Edition version and don't wanna use the extra Lzw packer libarary, but the QB64 built-in zlib compression instead, then simply substitute the LzwPack$ call (line 98) with the respective _DEFLATE$ call and the LzwUnpack$ call (line 312) with an _INFLATE$ call. Also delete the $INCLUDE line at the end.

MakeCARR.bas

Code: (Select All)
'+---------------+---------------------------------------------------+

'| ###### ###### |     .--. .         .-.                            |

'| ##  ## ##   # |     |   )|        (   ) o                         |

'| ##  ##  ##    |     |--' |--. .-.  
-.  .  .-...--.--. .-.        |

'| ######   ##   |     |  \ |  |(   )(   ) | (   ||  |  |(   )       |

'| ##      ##    |     '   
'  
-
-'  
-'-' 
-
-
|'  '  
-
-'
-      |

'| ##     ##   # |                            ._.'                   |

'| ##     ###### |  Sources & Documents placed in the Public Domain. |

'+---------------+---------------------------------------------------+

'|                                                                   |

'| === MakeCARR.bas ===                                              |

'|                                                                   |

'| == Create a C/C++ array out of the given file, so you can embed   |

'| == it in your program and write it back when needed.              |

'|                                                                   |

'| == Two files are created, the .h file, which contains the array(s)|

'| == and some functions, and a respective .bm file which needs to   |

'| == be $INCLUDEd with your program and does provide the FUNCTION   |

'| == to write back the array(s) into any file. All used functions   |

'| == are standard library calls, no API calls are involved, so the  |

'| == writeback should work on all QB64 supported platforms.         |

'|                                                                   |

'| == Make sure to adjust the path for the .h file for your personal |

'| == needs in the created .bm files (DECLARE LIBRARY), if required. |

'| == You may specify default paths right below this header.         |

'|                                                                   |

'| == This program needs the 'lzwpacker.bm' file available from the  |

'| == Libraries Collection here:                                     |

'| ==      https://staging.qb64phoenix.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=23      |

'| == as it will try to pack the given file to keep the array(s) as  |

'| == small as possible. If compression is successful, then your     |

'| == program also must $INCLUDE 'lzwpacker.bm' to be able to unpack |

'| == the file data again for write back. MakeCARR.bas is printing   |

'| == a reminder message in such a case.                             |

'|                                                                   |

'+-------------------------------------------------------------------+

'| Done by RhoSigma, R.Heyder, provided AS IS, use at your own risk. |

'| Find me in the QB64 Forum or mail to support@rhosigma-cw.net for  |

'| any questions or suggestions. Thanx for your interest in my work. |

'+-------------------------------------------------------------------+



'--- if you wish, set any default paths, end with a backslash ---

srcPath$ = "" 'source path

tarPath$ = "" 'target path

'-----

IF srcPath$ <> "" THEN

    COLOR 15: PRINT "Default source path: ": COLOR 7: PRINT srcPath$: PRINT

END IF

IF tarPath$ <> "" THEN

    COLOR 15: PRINT "Default target path: ": COLOR 7: PRINT tarPath$: PRINT

END IF



'--- collect inputs (relative paths allowed, based on default paths) ---

source:

LINE INPUT "Source Filename: "; src$ 'any file you want to put into a C/C++ array

IF src$ = "" GOTO source

target:

LINE INPUT "Target Basename: "; tar$ 'write stuff into this file(s) (.h/.bm is added)

IF tar$ = "" GOTO target

'-----

ON ERROR GOTO abort

OPEN "I", #1, srcPath$ + src$: CLOSE #1 'file exist check

OPEN "O", #2, tarPath$ + tar$ + ".bm": CLOSE #2 'path exist check

ON ERROR GOTO 0



'--- separate source filename part ---

FOR po% = LEN(src$) TO 1 STEP -1

    IF MID$(src$, po%, 1) = "\" OR MID$(src$, po%, 1) = "/" THEN

        srcName$ = MID$(src$, po% + 1)

        EXIT FOR

    ELSEIF po% = 1 THEN

        srcName$ = src$

    END IF

NEXT po%

'--- separate target filename part ---

FOR po% = LEN(tar$) TO 1 STEP -1

    IF MID$(tar$, po%, 1) = "\" OR MID$(tar$, po%, 1) = "/" THEN

        tarName$ = MID$(tar$, po% + 1)

        EXIT FOR

    ELSEIF po% = 1 THEN

        tarName$ = tar$

    END IF

NEXT po%

MID$(tarName$, 1, 1) = UCASE$(MID$(tarName$, 1, 1)) 'capitalize 1st letter



'---------------------------------------------------------------------

' Depending on the source file's size, one or more array(s) are

' created. This is because some C/C++ compilers seem to have problems

' with arrays with more than 65535 elements. This does not affect the

' write back, as the write function will take this behavior into account.

'---------------------------------------------------------------------



'--- init ---

OPEN "B", #1, srcPath$ + src$

filedata$ = SPACE$(LOF(1))

GET #1, , filedata$

CLOSE #1

rawdata$ = LzwPack$(filedata$, 20)

IF rawdata$ <> "" THEN

    OPEN "O", #1, tarPath$ + tar$ + ".lzw"

    CLOSE #1

    OPEN "B", #1, tarPath$ + tar$ + ".lzw"

    PUT #1, , rawdata$

    CLOSE #1

    packed% = -1

    OPEN "B", #1, tarPath$ + tar$ + ".lzw"

ELSE

    packed% = 0

    OPEN "B", #1, srcPath$ + src$

END IF

fl& = LOF(1)

cntL& = INT(fl& / 32)

cntV& = INT(cntL& / 8180)

cntB& = (fl& - (cntL& * 32))



'--- .h include file ---

OPEN "O", #2, tarPath$ + tar$ + ".h"

PRINT #2, "// ============================================================"

PRINT #2, "// === This file was created with MakeCARR.bas by RhoSigma, ==="

PRINT #2, "// === use it in conjunction with its respective .bm file.  ==="

PRINT #2, "// ============================================================"

PRINT #2, ""

PRINT #2, "// --- Array(s) representing the contents of file "; srcName$

PRINT #2, "// ---------------------------------------------------------------------"

'--- read LONGs ---

tmpI$ = SPACE$(32)

FOR vc& = 0 TO cntV&

    IF vc& = cntV& THEN numL& = (cntL& MOD 8180): ELSE numL& = 8180

    PRINT #2, "static const uint32_t "; tarName$; "L"; LTRIM$(STR$(vc&)); "[] = {"

    PRINT #2, "    "; LTRIM$(STR$(numL& * 8)); ","

    FOR z& = 1 TO numL&

        GET #1, , tmpI$: offI% = 1

        tmpO$ = "    " + STRING$(88, ","): offO% = 5

        DO

            tmpL& = CVL(MID$(tmpI$, offI%, 4)): offI% = offI% + 4

            MID$(tmpO$, offO%, 10) = "0x" + RIGHT$("00000000" + HEX$(tmpL&), 8)

            offO% = offO% + 11

        LOOP UNTIL offO% > 92

        IF z& < numL& THEN PRINT #2, tmpO$: ELSE PRINT #2, LEFT$(tmpO$, 91)

    NEXT z&

    PRINT #2, "};"

    PRINT #2, ""

NEXT vc&

'--- read remaining BYTEs ---

IF cntB& > 0 THEN

    PRINT #2, "static const uint8_t "; tarName$; "B[] = {"

    PRINT #2, "    "; LTRIM$(STR$(cntB&)); ","

    PRINT #2, "    ";

    FOR x% = 1 TO cntB&

        GET #1, , tmpB%%

        PRINT #2, "0x" + RIGHT$("00" + HEX$(tmpB%%), 2);

        IF x% <> 16 THEN

            IF x% <> cntB& THEN PRINT #2, ",";

        ELSE

            IF x% <> cntB& THEN

                PRINT #2, ","

                PRINT #2, "    ";

            END IF

        END IF

    NEXT x%

    PRINT #2, ""

    PRINT #2, "};"

    PRINT #2, ""

END IF

'--- some functions ---

PRINT #2, "// --- Saved full qualified output path and filename, so we've no troubles"

PRINT #2, "// --- when cleaning up, even if the current working folder was changed"

PRINT #2, "// --- during program runtime."

PRINT #2, "// ---------------------------------------------------------------------"

PRINT #2, "char "; tarName$; "Name[8192]; // it's a safe size for any current OS"

PRINT #2, ""

PRINT #2, "// --- Cleanup function to delete the written file, called by the atexit()"

PRINT #2, "// --- handler at program termination time, if requested by user."

PRINT #2, "// ---------------------------------------------------------------------"

PRINT #2, "void Kill"; tarName$; "Data(void)"

PRINT #2, "{"

PRINT #2, "    remove("; tarName$; "Name);"

PRINT #2, "}"

PRINT #2, ""

PRINT #2, "// --- Function to write the array(s) back into a file, will return the"

PRINT #2, "// --- full qualified output path and filename on success, otherwise an"

PRINT #2, "// --- empty string is returned (access/write errors, file truncated)."

PRINT #2, "// ---------------------------------------------------------------------"

PRINT #2, "const char *Write"; tarName$; "Data(const char *FileName, int16_t AutoClean)"

PRINT #2, "{"

PRINT #2, "    FILE   *han = NULL; // file handle"

PRINT #2, "    int32_t num = NULL; // written elements"

PRINT #2, ""

PRINT #2, "    #ifdef QB64_WINDOWS"

PRINT #2, "    if (!_fullpath("; tarName$; "Name, FileName, 8192)) return "; CHR$(34); CHR$(34); ";"

PRINT #2, "    #else"

PRINT #2, "    if (!realpath(FileName, "; tarName$; "Name)) return "; CHR$(34); CHR$(34); ";"

PRINT #2, "    #endif"

PRINT #2, ""

PRINT #2, "    if (!(han = fopen("; tarName$; "Name, "; CHR$(34); "wb"; CHR$(34); "))) return "; CHR$(34); CHR$(34); ";"

PRINT #2, "    if (AutoClean) atexit(Kill"; tarName$; "Data);"

PRINT #2, ""

FOR vc& = 0 TO cntV&

    PRINT #2, "    num = fwrite(&"; tarName$; "L"; LTRIM$(STR$(vc&)); "[1], 4, "; tarName$; "L"; LTRIM$(STR$(vc&)); "[0], han);"

    PRINT #2, "    if (num != "; tarName$; "L"; LTRIM$(STR$(vc&)); "[0]) {fclose(han); return "; CHR$(34); CHR$(34); ";}"

    PRINT #2, ""

NEXT vc&

IF cntB& > 0 THEN

    PRINT #2, "    num = fwrite(&"; tarName$; "B[1], 1, "; tarName$; "B[0], han);"

    PRINT #2, "    if (num != "; tarName$; "B[0]) {fclose(han); return "; CHR$(34); CHR$(34); ";}"

    PRINT #2, ""

END IF

PRINT #2, "    fclose(han);"

PRINT #2, "    return "; tarName$; "Name;"

PRINT #2, "}"

PRINT #2, ""

'--- ending ---

CLOSE #2

CLOSE #1



'--- .bm include file ---

OPEN "O", #2, tarPath$ + tar$ + ".bm"

PRINT #2, "'============================================================"

PRINT #2, "'=== This file was created with MakeCARR.bas by RhoSigma, ==="

PRINT #2, "'=== you must $INCLUDE this at the end of your program.   ==="

IF packed% THEN

    PRINT #2, "'=== ---------------------------------------------------- ==="

    PRINT #2, "'=== If your program is NOT a GuiTools based application, ==="

    PRINT #2, "'=== then it must also $INCLUDE: 'lzwpacker.bm' available ==="

    PRINT #2, "'=== from the Libraries Collection here:                  ==="

    PRINT #2, "'=== https://staging.qb64phoenix.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=23 ==="

END IF

PRINT #2, "'============================================================"

PRINT #2, ""

PRINT #2, "'-----------------"

PRINT #2, "'--- Important ---"

PRINT #2, "'-----------------"

PRINT #2, "' If you need to move around this .bm file and its respective .h file"

PRINT #2, "' to fit in your project, then make sure the path in the DECLARE LIBRARY"

PRINT #2, "' statement below does match the actual .h file location. It's best to"

PRINT #2, "' specify a relative path assuming your QB64 installation folder as root."

PRINT #2, "'---------------------------------------------------------------------"

PRINT #2, ""

'--- writeback function ---

PRINT #2, "'"; STRING$(LEN(tarName$) + 19, "-")

PRINT #2, "'--- Write"; tarName$; "Array$ ---"

PRINT #2, "'"; STRING$(LEN(tarName$) + 19, "-")

PRINT #2, "' This function will write the array(s) you've created with MakeCARR.bas"

PRINT #2, "' back to disk and so it rebuilds the original file."

PRINT #2, "'"

PRINT #2, "' After the writeback call, only use the returned realFile$ to access the"

PRINT #2, "' written file. It's the full qualified absolute path and filename, which"

PRINT #2, "' is made by expanding your maybe given relative path and an maybe altered"

PRINT #2, "' filename (number added) in order to avoid the overwriting of an already"

PRINT #2, "' existing file with the same name in the given location. By this means"

PRINT #2, "' you'll always have safe access to the file, no matter how your current"

PRINT #2, "' working folder changes during runtime."

PRINT #2, "'"

PRINT #2, "' If you wish, the written file can automatically be deleted for you when"

PRINT #2, "' your program will end, so you don't need to do the cleanup yourself."

PRINT #2, "'----------"

PRINT #2, "' SYNTAX:"

PRINT #2, "'   realFile$ = Write"; tarName$; "Array$ (wantFile$, autoDel%)"

PRINT #2, "'----------"

PRINT #2, "' INPUTS:"

PRINT #2, "'   --- wantFile$ ---"

PRINT #2, "'    The filename you would like to write the array(s) to, can contain"

PRINT #2, "'    a full or relative path."

PRINT #2, "'   --- autoDel% ---"

PRINT #2, "'    Shows whether you want the auto cleanup (see description above) at"

PRINT #2, "'    the program end or not (-1 = delete file, 0 = don't delete file)."

PRINT #2, "'----------"

PRINT #2, "' RESULT:"

PRINT #2, "'   --- realFile$ ---"

PRINT #2, "'    - On success this is the full qualified path and filename finally"

PRINT #2, "'      used after all applied checks, use only this returned filename"

PRINT #2, "'      to access the written file."

PRINT #2, "'    - On failure (write/access) this will be an empty string, so you"

PRINT #2, "'      should check for this before trying to access/open the file."

PRINT #2, "'---------------------------------------------------------------------"

PRINT #2, "FUNCTION Write"; tarName$; "Array$ (file$, clean%)"

PRINT #2, "'--- declare C/C++ function ---"

PRINT #2, "DECLARE LIBRARY "; CHR$(34); tarPath$; tar$; CHR$(34); " 'Do not add .h here !!"

PRINT #2, "    FUNCTION Write"; tarName$; "Data$ (FileName$, BYVAL AutoClean%)"

PRINT #2, "END DECLARE"

PRINT #2, "'--- option _explicit requirements ---"

PRINT #2, "DIM po%, body$, ext$, num%";

IF packed% THEN PRINT #2, ", real$, ff%, rawdata$, filedata$": ELSE PRINT #2, ""

PRINT #2, "'--- separate filename body & extension ---"

PRINT #2, "FOR po% = LEN(file$) TO 1 STEP -1"

PRINT #2, "    IF MID$(file$, po%, 1) = "; CHR$(34); "."; CHR$(34); " THEN"

PRINT #2, "        body$ = LEFT$(file$, po% - 1)"

PRINT #2, "        ext$ = MID$(file$, po%)"

PRINT #2, "        EXIT FOR"

PRINT #2, "    ELSEIF MID$(file$, po%, 1) = "; CHR$(34); "\"; CHR$(34); " OR MID$(file$, po%, 1) = "; CHR$(34); "/"; CHR$(34); " OR po% = 1 THEN"

PRINT #2, "        body$ = file$"

PRINT #2, "        ext$ = "; CHR$(34); CHR$(34)

PRINT #2, "        EXIT FOR"

PRINT #2, "    END IF"

PRINT #2, "NEXT po%"

PRINT #2, "'--- avoid overwriting of existing files ---"

PRINT #2, "num% = 1"

PRINT #2, "WHILE _FILEEXISTS(file$)"

PRINT #2, "    file$ = body$ + "; CHR$(34); "("; CHR$(34); " + LTRIM$(STR$(num%)) + "; CHR$(34); ")"; CHR$(34); " + ext$"

PRINT #2, "    num% = num% + 1"

PRINT #2, "WEND"

PRINT #2, "'--- write array & set result ---"

IF NOT packed% THEN

    PRINT #2, "Write"; tarName$; "Array$ = Write"; tarName$; "Data$(file$ + CHR$(0), clean%)"

ELSE

    PRINT #2, "real$ = Write"; tarName$; "Data$(file$ + CHR$(0), clean%)"

    PRINT #2, "IF real$ <> "; CHR$(34); CHR$(34); " THEN"

    PRINT #2, "    ff% = FREEFILE"

    PRINT #2, "    OPEN real$ FOR BINARY AS ff%"

    PRINT #2, "    rawdata$ = SPACE$(LOF(ff%))"

    PRINT #2, "    GET #ff%, , rawdata$"

    PRINT #2, "    filedata$ = LzwUnpack$(rawdata$)"

    PRINT #2, "    PUT #ff%, 1, filedata$"

    PRINT #2, "    CLOSE ff%"

    PRINT #2, "END IF"

    PRINT #2, "Write"; tarName$; "Array$ = real$"

END IF

PRINT #2, "END FUNCTION"

PRINT #2, ""

'--- ending ---

CLOSE #2



'--- finish message ---

COLOR 10: PRINT: PRINT "file successfully processed..."

COLOR 9: PRINT: PRINT "You must $INCLUDE the created file (target name + .bm extension) at"

PRINT "the end of your program and call the function 'Write"; tarName$; "Array$(...)'"

PRINT "in an appropriate place to write the file back to disk."

IF packed% THEN

    COLOR 12: PRINT: PRINT "Your program must also $INCLUDE 'lzwpacker.bm' available from"

    PRINT "the Libraries Collection here:"

    PRINT "     https://staging.qb64phoenix.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=23"

    PRINT "to be able to write back the just processed file."

    KILL tarPath$ + tar$ + ".lzw"

END IF

done:

COLOR 7

END

'--- error handler ---

abort:

COLOR 12: PRINT: PRINT "something is wrong with path/file access, check your inputs and try again..."

RESUME done



'$INCLUDE: 'QB64Library\LZW-Compress\lzwpacker.bm'

i made a console program ($Console:Only) that should run in a terminal. it seems that when executing a console program, the current directory is the one of the executable. the _CWD$ function confirms it.

hello, i made a console program ($Console:Only) that should run in a terminal. at the end of the execution i have the message :

Press enter to continue

how to avoid it.

here's a wumpus-a-like I've been fiddling with. A simple treasure hunting/dragon slaying adventure. Simple text or choice base input control.

All planned features aren't in place yet but it's moving along.

I see again and again that Basic is apparently only used as a programming language for games etc., for example, but so Basic never gets rid of the "little-kids" level. Not that I want to deny games etc., but you can also develop serious programs with Basic, not just colorful circles and jumping who-knows-where.

So you can for example, write a program that calculates an additional payment to the pension.
An example: You take out an additional insurance into which you pay 3400.00 €/$ per year for 25 years. If you then go in pension, the program shows how much you can then have paid out from the supplementary insurance per month and for how many years. For me, this is a really practical program. There is certainly room for improvement, but this is something that can be used practically.

And in my very personal opinion, this is the only way to get Basic out of the gaming level and make it (again) a serious programming language.

That's my point of view.

Starting playing around with the power of LINE styles and it lead to 3d looking mystify like screensaver (in 1st code box).  Afterwards changed it to bouncing boxes, added some fading.  Kept in some LINE style stuff.  (Code box #2).   On my laptop 12 boxes seems to be the sweet spot when setting _LIMIT 30. 

- Dav


Bouncing LINEs....

With the help of B+'s reflection math code, I decided to make a Pong Clone today. You play against the computer using your mouse. First to reach 10 points wins. B+, I added your name to the welcome screen. Tell me what you think. It was a bit tricky to make it not too easy but also not impossible, I believe I found the right middle ground. There's a photo of it below.  Thanks for the help B+, I've always wanted to make my own Pong. I know most of them have rectangle rackets but I found it's more enjoyable to aim the ball with a round racket instead. 

Has anyone ever heard of FABS Plus Net from Computer Control Systems.  We use a program at my workplace that was written specially for a handful of automotive stores in the 80's and it calls FABSMB regularly.  I have been researching and found a reference to FABS here http://www.gcssoft.de/ I am trying to debug a couple of things in the program and i need to find a copy of this FABS if it is possible to look at the index files that are in use.  Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Garrett