[Simh] off-topic basic translator

[Kevin Handy]

I don't think DEC ever did a translator, only compilers.

There used to be a company that sold one, but is definately wasn't free.
Cannot remember their name.

I wrote a heafty part of a VaxBasic to C++ translater, but never handled
MAP's or their like very well. It is useful to do a preliminary conversion,
but then needs a lot of editing for most programs. Things like programd
from "101 Basic Computer Games" mostly work without any problems. Nut it's
been a while since I did anything with it.

Problems with the yranslations are mostly vaused by the way Basic handles
variables, especially strings. C++ hastwo types of string (char* and
std::string), but Basic has several different types mixed together. MAPs
want a fixed length fixed position string which may overlap other strings.
Normal nasic strings are variable length and variable position. FIELD
statements can change a string from one type to another. It gets quite
complicated without writing the DEC string library, which is quite complex.

On Tue, Aug 4, 2015 at 9:52 AM, Dan Gahlinger <dgahling at hotmail.com> wrote:

> Does anyone have or know where I can get a copy of the Vax Basic
> translator?
> Especially for VMS or windows or something?
>
> I'd like to convert my old Vax Basic programs to something usable on
> modern systems,
> but while Vax Basic is simple enough there are a few things I have trouble
> with,
> such as MAP statements, records, etc.
>
> I've tried looking on the HP/etc sites and it seems it's been discontinued,
>
> does anyone have a copy I can use, or know where I can get one?
>
> I don't want to pay for a product, as this is just hobbyist use for
> personal programs I wrote
>
> thanks
>
> Dan.
>
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