Update to Smart Basic?

[rbytes]

Mr. K., you have mentioned previously that you don't expect Apple will allow Future Basic iOS any way to import/export files, eg. from a cloud service or via iTunes, due to their (misguided) restrictions on "code importing".

If that is the case, why not then do an update to Smart Basic to remove the Dropbox connection and fix a few bugs such as the CAMERA crashes, unwanted extra spaces with paste, etc. If the new Future Basic language is going to have that limitation on IOS, maybe we need to start getting used to it.

Several possible workarounds to import files have already been demonstrated by Dutchman and others. But while Smart Basic still has the Dropbox link, I don't believe there will be any movement toward refining a standard method. The most promising one I have seen for importing files is with HTTP commands. But they require the user to have access to a website with enough free space to handle the files.

The new Future Basic language (the iOS version at least) will presumably have the same need, so at minimum should have a set of HTTP commands comparable to Smart Basic. It might be advisable to include an FTP function for uploading. Again, there will need to be a website to upload and download to. Should each user be advised to have their own website for this purpose, or should a common website be made available? If so, who will set up and maintain that website? Will the cost of it need to be included in the purchase price of SB and Future Basic, or will it be managed and funded on a volunteer basis by users?

I hope others will post their reactions to and suggestions for this post.

[Mr. Kibernetik]

If the new Future Basic language is going to have that limitation on IOS, maybe we need to start getting used to it.

iOS will be the last OS to port new BASIC to. Before that it will be ported to Android and Windows. And if I will find reliable ways to transfer data on iOS then it will be a desired experience.

[rbytes]

Thanks, but that really didn't answer my question about an update to Smart Basic.

We who prefer iOS will likely have to wait years for a version of Future Basic that will work on our platform. Our willingness to stick by and support Smart Basic ought to get some consideration - such as an update to fix the worst bugs.

There are many ifs about what you will be able to do for file sharing on iOS. So even years from now when we get a version of Future Basic, you don't have certainty about a method for importing and exporting. If we establish one for Smart Basic, you can duplicate it on Future Basic.

[Mr. Kibernetik]

Thanks, but that really didn't answer my question about an update to Smart Basic.

We who prefer iOS will likely have to wait years for a version of Future Basic that will work on our platform. Our willingness to stick by and support Smart Basic ought to get some consideration - such as an update to fix the worst bugs.

There are many ifs about what you will be able to do for file sharing on iOS. So even years from now when we get a version of Future Basic, you don't have certainty about a method for importing and exporting. If we establish one for Smart Basic, you can duplicate it on Future Basic.

New BASIC is not connected with smart BASIC in any way - they are different products and have different development paths.
It's very likely that new BASIC will never appear on iOS. New BASIC is planned for macOS and other OSes with open file systems. Future development will show its potential for iOS.

Updates to smart BASIC currently are not planned.

[GeorgeMcGinn]

I have Code I need to finish testing that will allow SmartBASIC code to be downloaded from GITHUB, SOURCEFORGE, even from StackExchange (while the last service isn't for storing code, it does work when I go after code snippets. I use this to download something in Python and will convert it to SB)

I've been kind of derelict in my coding as of late, but I need to get back into coding this program ( I have GITHUB working, but the code for SOURCEFORGE needs to be finished and tested).

Started working on these 2+ systems including phpBB that is used in this forum to download source code and data. I could put my server back online and start a phpBB on it just or program storage and retrieval. I have no issues in offering that for free.

My Mac OS/X G5 Xserver should be fixed in a couple of months, then I can ship that off and put that up as a dedicated server someplace.

Since I need it anyway for other projects, I have no problem hosting a website that will allow storage and use for smartBASIC.

Just a thought, and a way around using Dropbox so if it is eventually pulled from the smartBASIC code, then we have other options.

[Henko]

Hi George,

That would be nice, because i do not intend to switch to another platform for my programming hobby. Hence i will stick to SmartBasic as long as it is operational on my "frozen" iPad.

[rbytes]

Henk, I wonder if there is a Russian equivalent to the old saying "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush". You and I agree that Smart Basic is one of the best languages we have ever worked with. I now have 350 + programs running from my latest version of Launch. Yet here we are waiting for SB to die from neglect. The irony is that new users keep showing up. They have no idea that they are buying into a product with no future. At least, they don't unless they read our posts.

I wish the developer valued Smart Basic as much as we do. I wish we could convince him that if he updated it, it would be a more valuable asset than a new language he has to write from scratch for other platforms. If SB was sold by subscription for a few dollars a month, I would definitely sign up.

Wasn't the lack of success of SPL a pretty good indication of how the world will embrace yet another PC language? I did my best to support it, yet on the SPL Forum I was pretty much alone - and then development stopped.

There are many very good Basics already available on both PC and Android. The bar is higher, with much more competition. The same is true of Mac.

I am never going to switch to another platform. My iPad is a very comfortable environment for programming, so if/when Smart Basic fails I will probably move to Pythonista or Codea.

[Mr. Kibernetik]

Currently I think that presense of Dropbox support is more useful than correction of several bugs.
Do you have another opinion?

[Henko]

@ Richard: in Dutch we say "One bird in the hand is worth more than ten in the air".
Never heard of Codea, will have a look.

@ mr. K.: on the average over all sB users you might be right, but personally i put hardly any value on Dropbox. I never did use it to exchange files with other forum members (to and from). I use it to exchange files between my two iPads, but that can be done with email as well, be it a little bit more cumbersome.
Bugs? sB feels bugfree for me. It is a very robust programming language, and i stay with it as long as possible.
I agree with rBytes that venturing with a new language is a long and risky process.
What if you start on the other plarforms with a "lite" version of sB, specially targeted on kids, featuring some additional turtle graphics commands? The other "basic" sB statements are easy enough for kids, because it is Basic after all (and call it "Turtle Basic").
You would be much faster "in the air", i guess.
Anyhow, i hope you will succeed to make a living with your software activities. I know how hard it is from an experience long ago.

[Mr. Kibernetik]

Henko, thank you for your opinion.