[Simh] off-topic basic translator

[Tom Morris]

If you want to target Python, you might look at using something like vb2py
as a starting point.
http://vb2py.sourceforge.net/

Tom

On Tue, Aug 4, 2015 at 3:34 PM, Dan Gahlinger <dgahling at hotmail.com> wrote:

> I was thinking of this one:
> http://h71000.www7.hp.com/commercial/basic/t12/t12_pro.html
> so definitely there was one, it's discontinued though.
>
> I don't know what to do with MAP or MAT statements, otherwise I could do
> most of it myself.
>
> C or C++ is not an ideal language, I was thinking of easier translations,
> like say to freepascal or python, as they are most "basic like" in looks.
> Strings as you say can be tough, but that's why pascal or even python is
> good,
> strings are just strings.
> basic was great for string manipulation because you could do literally
> anything.
>
> I was kind of hoping someone might have a copy of the HP/compaq product
> listed above
> I certainly don't want to buy it (though its discontinued so I can't) just
> to translate a dozen programs
> that I wrote myself back in the 80's.
>
> Update: it looks like I might be able to do it myself using this reference
> document:
>
> http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/dec/vax/lang/basic/AA-HY15B-TE_VAX_BASIC_User_Manual_Feb90.pdf
>
> Dan.
>
>
> ------------------------------
> Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2015 12:29:01 -0600
> Subject: Re: [Simh] off-topic basic translator
> From: khandy21yo at gmail.com
> To: dgahling at hotmail.com
> CC: simh at trailing-edge.com
>
>
> 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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