Hi Jim, I'm afraid not. The Basic programming languages never really were that popular with Unix and Linux developers. The closest thing to Basic on Linux would be Python which is fairly easy to learn, and is the closest thing to an entry level programming language for Linux. The majority of applications and tools are written in C or C++ with some increasing use of the Open Java JDK for Linux.
I think that is due to the fact Linux has never really been popular with the average home user or amateur programmer like yourself. Linux is, and has always been, primarily used by IT professionals and has a much stronger market on business machines rather than with personal computer users. Although, that is changing somewhat the fact still remains Linux's primary core of users are highly trained professionals who may have skills in C, C++, Java, and may have professional training in one or more of those languages. As a result they never really had a need for a Basic programming language per say. That's not to say their aren't some good alternatives though. As I mentioned above Python is fairly easy to learn, and you can do quite a lot with Python these days. There are a number of free amateur games for Linux written in Python using the cross-platform PyGame API, and it is totally possible to add text to speech support using PyTTS for Linux. Basically, all the necessary components are in place if you or anyone else wanted to write games in Python. In fact, the RS Games Client for Linux is written in Python, speaks text via ESpeak, and so on. SoundRTS is written in Python, uses PyGame, and although it takes some fiddling to install the correct dependencies it is a fairly decent game written in pure Python as well. Point being that if you were ever thinking of a replacement for VB Python for Windows, Linux, or Mac is probably the next best thing. As for myself personally if I weren't a C++ man I'd probably choose Python. It is simple to learn, is quite powerful, and has been used for everything from simple shell scripts to full blown apps like the Orca screen reader. More importantly, for you I think, is that Python doesn't require any type of formal training or education. It was intentionally designed to be used by amateur developers, and you don't have to worry about many of the advanced types of programming concepts like data types, pointers, and so on that you would have to know in a language like C/C++. Cheers! On 7/3/11, Jim Kitchen <j...@kitchensinc.net> wrote: > Hi Thomas, > > I most likely will not be switching to linux mostly for all of the reasons > that you and Dark have been discussing. But I was just curious, does linux > have a Basic programming language? You know something similar to VB6. You > know with a screen reader friendly Basic IDE and SDKs to give one the > ability to play sound files and use a text to speech engine. > > Thanks. > > BFN > > Jim > > I like Visual Basic 6.0 because I can not C. > > j...@kitchensinc.net > http://www.kitchensinc.net > (440) 286-6920 > Chardon Ohio USA > --- > Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org > If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to > gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. > You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at > http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. > All messages are archived and can be searched and read at > http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. > If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, > please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. > --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.