Converts PowerBASIC source code to C++ using uCalc Transform.

If you write programs using PowerBASIC and would like to extend the reach of your software to smartphones and tablets and other operating systems, with platforms like iOS, Mac OS X, Linux, Android, Windows Phone OS, etc, or if you want to have a 64-bit version of your DLL for Windows, then one solution is to convert your code to C++, which can then be re-compiled on these other platforms. You can still continue developing in PowerBASIC, and later perform the auto-conversion of your code to C++ when needed.

To convert your source code with this tool, do the following:

1. Download uCalc Transform from http://www.ucalc.com/transform.html
2. Click the Download ZIP button found on this page
3. Place the file(s) you want to convert in the same directory as the files from this page
4. Run uCalc Transform, then click on the C:\> Batch button
5. Go to the directory containing your file(s), and type: PBtoCPP.Bat MyFile.Bas

(where MyFile.Bas is the file you want to convert)

PBtoCPP.Bat /D to debug (produces intermediate files) PBtoCPP.Bat /F for faster transform

This requires version 2.98 or above.

To load transforms for editing, enter LoadAll.Bat at the command prompt.

Automatically translating source code from one language to another is among the things uCalc Transform (downloadable from http://www.ucalc.com/transform.html ) is designed for. This Open Source project is about constructing the transform file(s) that will tell uCalc Transform how to take PowerBASIC source code as input, and automatically generate equivalent C++ output.

The process is very simple. A transform file consists of a list of Find/Replace criteria pairs, one of which may look like this:

The Find part (representing PowerBASIC): If {cond} Then {statement%}{nl}

The Replace part (representing C++): if ({cond}) { {statement} }{nl}

Your help is needed in creating Search/Replace patterns covering as many PowerBASIC statements and constructs as possible. PowerBASIC is close enough to Visual Basic in a number of ways, so VB users can also help. Even C++ users who don't program in any flavor of BASIC can help with C++ parts. On the other hand, if you don't do any C++, there's plenty you can do, such as work on transforms that refactor PowerBASIC code before it is translated to C++. There's a part for everyone.

Here are various ways you can contribute (choose any combination of these):

• Test existing patterns, and point out situations where it doesn't work (or confirm that it works in all cases you've tried it).

• Post test cases that other contributors can test their patterns against to make sure their patterns work as intended. Please post a short snippet of sample PowerBASIC code in one file with a .bas extension, and also, if possible, a similarly named file, but with a .cpp extension representing what the output should look like.

• Post Find/Replace patterns. The following are suggested guidelines. Feel free to suggest other guidelines that could make the process even easier.

  • Use the current version of uCalc Transform to construct your Find/Replace patterns.
  • Test it.
  • Click where it says: "[Add a description]" in uCalc Transform (on the bottom right of the save button), and identify yourself as the author of that section, along with a summary of what you're contributing. Note: Each individual Find/Replace criteria also includes a Comment property. You may also enter text in a Find box, and remove the checkmark (so it is ignored) to have it serve as a comment for items below.
  • Save it and upload it along with the test code you used.

• Make suggestions, ask questions, cheer the project on, invite others to join, etc.