RAD Basic 0.9.0 Pre-Beta 9 - Release Notes

RAD Basic Pre-Beta 9 release (0.9.0)

Notes: This is an early access to Beta version.

• [IDE] Compiler errors are shown in Editor with red underline decoration.
• [IDE] Added “Restore samples” button in Options dialog. Now, you can undo your changes made in RAD Basic shipped samples, resetting them.
• [IDE] Replaced the ChatGPT integration sample with a basic Excel automation example using COM dispatch calls, as the ChatGPT API is no longer free.
• [Compiler & IDE] Added support for environment variable for path location and make it default.
• [Compiler & IDE] Added support for recovering when a compiler error is found in source code (default mode). Now all errors in source code are listed. Can be switched back to VB6 style: Stop at any error in source.
• [Compiler] New internal Expression System. It fixes a lot of bugs.
• [Compiler] New Array implementation, more COM/ActiveX friendly:
  • Same internal layout as SafeArray (used in COM/OCX)
  • Fix use in expressions
  • Multidimensional support.
• [Compiler] Added Let keyword support in assignments (explicit use of the Let keyword is a matter of style, but it is usually omitted).
• [Compiler] Added support for read properties:
  • VB.CommandButton: Top, Left, Width, Height, Caption, Visible.
  • VB.Label: Top, Left, Width, Height, Caption, Visible.
  • VB.TextBox: Top, Left, Width, Height, Visible, Enabled.
  • VB.ComboBox: Top, Left, Width, Height, Visible, Enabled.
  • VB.Frame: Top, Left, Width, Height, Caption, Visible.
  • VB.Image: Top, Left, Width, Height.
  • VB.ListBox: Top, Left, Width, Height.
  • VB.OptionButton: Top, Left, Width, Height, Value, Caption, Visible, Enabled.
  • VB.PictureBox: Top, Left, Width, Height.
• [Compiler] Fix use of parentheses in expressions.
• [Compiler] Added Support of literal suffixes: “&” for Long literals, “!” for Single literals.
• [Compiler] Implemented GoTo Statement.
• [Compiler] Added new Math Operators:
  • Mod operator.
  • Pow operator (^).
  • Square root function (sqr).
• [Compiler & Runtime] Moved conversion from Twips to Pixels into runtime (in compile-time using always twips).
• [Runtime] VB.App.Path works as VB6 does: VBP file when running the application from the development environment or the path of the executable file when running the application as an executable file (outside IDE).
• [Runtime] Add functions for arrays: UBound and LBound.
• [Runtime] MsgBox: Implemented all parameters and enums (helpFile and context are ignored at this moment).
• [Runtime] Implemented functions from VBA.Conversion: CStr, CBool, CDbl, CInt, CLng and CSng.
• [Runtime] Implemented “DoEvents” function.

• [IDE] Changes in control and form names are updated dynamically in form layout and project explorer.
• [Compiler] Rebuild/Clean now removes all files in build directory.
• [Compiler & Runtime] Better management of lifecycle of application Forms/Windows.

• [IDE] Fixed crash when saving non form items.
• [IDE] Fixed issues in some samples projects.
• [Compiler] Fixed a regression that caused the compilation of user-defined classes to fail.
• [Compiler] Fixed not interpreted “\” character in VB Strings as scape character.
• [Compiler] Projects with “Sub Main” as Startup Object finish right (won't get stuck in memory forever).
• [Compiler] Procedures containing “_” (event name construction), not failing to compile if some part don't exists (report a warning instead).
• [Compiler] Fixed comparison of strings in some expressions don't use the right function internal operator.
• [Compiler] Lots of small bugs fixed.

• Due to internal rewrite of expressions evaluator, some bugs could be remaining.
• Installer and executables are not digitally signed because we are managing renovation of code signing certificate.
• [IDE] Form Designer Grid: not drawn properly while user resizes form and some performance issues in certain edge cases.
• [IDE] FRX values (Icon, Pictures, ComboBox List, …) are readonly values in Form Designer, as there issues saving into FRX file.
• [Compiler] UDT only support basic types as members.
• [Compiler] Variant type is not supported.
• [Compiler] Option Explicit is mandatory. Source code without option explicit will be supported in followings releases.