Compare BASIC vs. Component Pascal vs. Visual Basic

BASIC, which stands for Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code, represents a collection of high-level programming languages that prioritize user-friendliness. In its early days, BASIC primarily focused on facilitating simple mathematical computations, initially incorporating batch processing for matrix arithmetic and later expanding to include character string capabilities by 1965. The introduction of BASIC was a key part of the broader transition to time-sharing computing systems. Certain variants of BASIC featured support for matrices and related operations, enabling users to tackle systems of simultaneous linear equations effectively. These variants allowed for various matrix operations, including assignment, addition, multiplication (for compatible types), and determinant evaluation. However, as the 1990s approached, BASIC's popularity waned due to the emergence of more powerful microcomputers and the rising adoption of programming languages like Pascal and C, which offered more sophisticated features suitable for modern computing demands. Consequently, the shift towards these advanced languages marked a significant turning point in the programming landscape during that era.

Component Pascal is a versatile programming language that draws inspiration from Pascal, Modula-2, and Oberon. Its key characteristics include a block structure, modular design, the ability for separate compilation, static typing with rigorous type checking even across module boundaries, type extension with associated methods, dynamic module loading, and automated garbage collection. The aspect of type extension allows Component Pascal to function as an object-oriented language. In this context, an object is defined as a variable representing an abstract data type that comprises private data (its state) along with procedures that manipulate this data. These abstract data types are defined using extensible records. Component Pascal effectively encompasses the essential concepts of object-oriented programming while leveraging the established terminology of imperative languages, thus reducing the complexity of similar concepts. Its commitment to complete type safety, coupled with the necessity for a dynamic object model, further positions Component Pascal as a component-oriented programming language. Ultimately, this combination of features fosters a robust environment for developing modular and maintainable software applications.

Visual Basic, an object-oriented programming language created by Microsoft, allows for the rapid and straightforward development of type-safe applications within the .NET framework. It emphasizes enhancing the capabilities of the Visual Basic Runtime (microsoft.visualbasic.dll) for .NET Core, marking the first iteration of Visual Basic that is tailored specifically for this platform. Future updates are anticipated to incorporate elements of the Visual Basic Runtime that rely on WinForms. The .NET framework itself is a versatile and open-source development environment designed for the creation of various types of applications. Regardless of the application type, the code and project files maintain a consistent appearance and functionality. This uniformity ensures that developers can leverage the same runtime, application programming interfaces (APIs), and language features across all their projects. A Visual Basic application is constructed using standard components, where a solution includes one or more projects, and each project can consist of multiple assemblies, which are in turn compiled from several source files. Overall, this structure enables developers to efficiently manage and build complex applications.