[needs-packaging] SmallBASIC

[chriswarrensmith]

SmallBASIC is a fast and easy to learn BASIC language interpreter ideal for everyday calculations, scripts and prototypes. SmallBASIC includes trigonometric, matrices and algebra functions, a built in IDE, a powerful string library, system, sound, and graphic commands along with structured programming syntax.

URL: http://smallbasic.sourceforge.net/
License: GPL
Notes: Project is already debian-ized so should be fairly easy to package (make deb)

Latest source code is here: http://downloads.sourceforge.net/smallbasic/smallbasic-0.10.7.tar.gz
Depends on FLTK version 2 available here: http://www.fltk.org/software.php

[Brian Murray (brian-murray)]

*** This is an automated message ***

This bug is tagged needs-packaging which identifies it as a request for a new package in Ubuntu. As a part of the managing needs-packaging bug reports specification, https://wiki.ubuntu.com/QATeam/Specs/NeedsPackagingBugs, all needs-packaging bug reports have Wishlist importance. Subsequently, I'm setting this bug's status to Wishlist.

[David Sugar (dyfet-deactivatedaccount)]

Being one of the people involved in the development of Blankenship Basic decades ago, naturally I found this rather interesting. I could take a stab at doing a preliminary package for revu for it.

[E.K.Virtanen (asciiworld)]

Aye, i love this dialect and having it packed for ubuntu, would be awesome.

[Clay Stuart (clay-stuart1)]

Agreed. Please add to ubuntu packaging.

[chriswarrensmith (cwarrensmith)]

I have updated the project README[1] file to include detailed instructions for building under Ubuntu. Also, I have recently fixed a few problems with building a 64bit version of SmallBASIC under Ubtuntu. We already have the debianisation stuff in place so this really should not take anyone too much time. It would be fantastic if someone could action this request; it's almost the project's 10th birthday!

Cheers,
Chris

[1] http://smallbasic.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/smallbasic/trunk/smallbasic/README

[Ted Clayton (tclayton)]

I am an engineering/science-type, and have used SmallBASIC since it was actually still aimed mainly at the then-rabid Palm crowd (tho I never had one).

I have kept WUBI Ubuntu since v9.6, and I am in it & using it, 'constantly'. My upcoming new machine will trim any default Redmond OS back to a corner-partition, and will boot Ubuntu when the switch clicks.

I have used BASIC for (gulp) 25 years. I have several of them, but I use SmallBASIC. I am quite likely to direct 'development' attention into FreeBASIC. FB may or may not have additional Linux/Ubuntu issues ... but regardless, having the lower-threshhold SmallBASIC critically positioned for entry-level & ancient users, will remain a priority to me, as it has been for many years.

SmallBASIC has been stable for a long time, and Chris Warren Smith has consistently done a very smart job of care-taking the project. I think it would be a long-term asset to Ubuntu, and I would be another of the 'old crew' who would help keep the dust from accumulating.

Best to all at Ubuntu & Canonical!

Ted Clayton

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.

[chriswarrensmith (cwarrensmith)]

Hi,

SmallBASIC has undergone a few changes since I originally raised this request.

The desktop GUI version is now based on SDL2. It also has a couple of other main-stream dependencies; libfreetype and fontconfig.

The code now lives in github: https://github.com/smallbasic/SmallBASIC

The changes will hopefully simplify implementing this request.