Welcome to FreeBASIC

Welcome to our world!  This page is an overview of our online warehouse of 
knowledge.  Enjoy your surfing and we hope this will be the first of many 
visits.

Introduction
	FreeBASIC is a free, BASIC compiler for Windows (32-bit and 64-bit), 32 
	bit protected-mode DOS (COFF executables, like DJGPP), and Linux (x86, 
	x86_64, and ARM).  It is open source and GnuLicenseslicensed under the GPL. It is 
	designed to be syntax compatible with QuickBASIC, while expanding on the 
	language and capabilities. It can create programs for MS-Windows, DOS 
	and Linux, and is being ported to other platforms. See CompilerAboutAbout FreeBASIC 
	and CompilerFeaturesMain Features.

Latest Version
	FreeBASIC is a beta release compiler and development is ongoing.  With 
	each full update, many features are added, and bugs from previous 
	releases are fixed.  To see the latest version available, visit 
	https://www.freebasic.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=1the News section on the forum.

Requirements and Installation
	Minimum hardware is listed on the CompilerRequirementsRequirements page.  Visit our 
	CompilerInstallingInstallation page for setting up FreeBASIC on your computer.

Running
	FreeBASIC is a compiler and as such is not packaged with an IDE 
	(Integrated Development Editor), although there are a few IDE's 
	available. For information on using FreeBASIC without an IDE, see CompilerRunningRunning
	.

Compatibility with QuickBASIC
	FreeBASIC is designed to be syntax compatible with QuickBASICQuickBASIC.  For best 
	code-compatibility with QuickBASIC, the CompilerDialectsQB dialect can be used when 
	compiling source code. See CompilerDialectsFreeBASIC Dialects and LangQBDifferences from QB.

Documentation
	All official documentation can be found online in the wiki at 
	https://www.freebasic.net/wikihttps://www.freebasic.net/wiki.  The online documentation is the most 
	up-to-date resource available.  In all cases it can be regarded as the 
	correct version.  The downloadable versions of the manual are snapshots 
	of the documentation available at a particular time and should be mostly 
	correct for a specific released version of the compiler.  However, we do 
	not maintain multiple versions of the documentation so there may be some 
	discrepancies.

Starting points in the Manual
	* DocTocTable of Contents
	* CompilerHelpGetting Help with FreeBASIC
	* CatPgProgrammerProgrammer's Guide

Starting points on the Web
	* Official Website at https://www.freebasic.nethttps://www.freebasic.net
	* Official Forums at https://www.freebasic.net/forumhttps://www.freebasic.net/forum

Thank you for using FreeBASIC.  Happy coding!

