DID YOU KNOW #4 : GB32 CREATES & USES LIBRARIES !

[(X)]

DID YOU KNOW #4 : GB32 CREATES & USES LIBRARIES !

   

You can see this latest video here:

    youtu.be/nEsQifHbEgQ

This is the transcript of the latest in the DID YOU KNOW series of the YouTube Channel:

    www.youtube.com/@gfabasic32

Hi, this is Xavier aka (X). Welcome to my channel, where I share tips and tricks on how to use this powerful programming language. Today's topic is: how to create compiled code that can be imported as libraries or LG32 files.

DID YOU KNOW that GFA-BASIC 32 can compile your code into executable files that can run independently and into Library files that can be used by other GB32 programs? This feature allows you to reuse your code, distribute your applications, and enhance your performance.

To create a compiled file, you need to use the Compile menu in the IDE. You can choose to compile your project as an EXE file or an LG32 file when $Export "Lib name" is specified.

To import an LG32 file, you need to use the Library command in your code. For example, if you have an LG32 file called MathLib.lg32 that contains some mathematical functions, you can import it by writing: $Library "MathLib.lg32".

That's all for today. I hope you learned something new and useful. If you liked this video, please subscribe to my channel and leave a comment. If you want to learn more about GB32, you can visit the official website at gfabasic32.blogspot.com/, or check out my YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@gfabasic32. Thanks for watching, and see you next time!

"(Code_tight) && !(Bit_bugs Byte)"

[larrybtoys]

Good information

[Roger Cabo]

I would like to have a tutorial for this topic.
With possible problems an solutions as well.
And what's important and how to!

[(X)]

That is an excellent idea.
Does anyone know of a utility that can do that?

[(X)]

I may have sourced information incorrectly.

Although I know GB32 can create .LG32 files I don't see how to use GB32 to create DLL files.

This paragraph from : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GFA_BASIC  seems adamant that GFA-BASIC for Windows can compile DLL files.  It is perhaps only available for an earlier 16 bit version of GFA-BASIC for Windows.

This is an exact quote from the Wiki page:

One of the advantages of GFA BASIC for Windows was that the compiler (sold separately) could create stand-alone .exe files, and also included a relatively easy option for creating Dynamic Link Library (.DLL) files for Windows. This allowed a user to write and test routines within GFA Basic, export them as functions to a Windows .DLL file, and then access those pre-compiled functions from within other tools or programs, such as Visual Basic 3.0, which was unable to produce compiled code. This feature allowed GFA BASIC to be used as a "number-crunching" add-on product for Visual Basic, for writing high-speed routines for applications such as database sorting or media signal processing that would have been impractical under the then-current version of Visual Basic.

Apparently, a 16 bit DLL might run on 32 bit but won't run on 64 bit Windows.

---

Not to worry!

There are ways to create GB32 compatible DLL files using other resources (languages: C++, C#), but, that is beyond my abilities to demonstrate.  

There are already many, many, many tutorials available that demonstrate the creation of a DLL file.

Sorry for the misleading information.  We can't be 100% correct 100% of the time.

[Roger Cabo]

No problem for the dells.

But like to know and have a step by step tutorial for the libs!
There are some things seems to be take care of, from what I know.

[(X)]

As soon as I can get a good screen capture solution going, tutorials should start popping up.
The best advice I can offer for now is to rely on the Help Doc and Sample LG32 files.
There are a few LG32 related posts on this forum about "special case" problems.
I've been working on a 'one button' library update IDE based utility, but, it is still "under construction".

[larrybtoys]

Code Snippets are cool. It does not look like there have been any updates on those in a long time. At least it seems like it...

gfawhelp.gfa.net/code32.htm

[(X)]

Possible GB32 Library (LG32) information sources (in no particular order):

- Sjouke's Blog:
gfabasic32.blogspot.com/

- Thread & Posts on this forum:
GB32.proboards.com

- Dale Bryant's site:
www.gfawhelp.gfa.net/main.htm

- Scalion's site:
www.gfabasic32codes.info/

gfabasic32.free.fr/

levrainicolas.free.fr/

scalion.free.fr/

- YouTube: GFA-BASIC 32 FOR WINDOWS (GB32)
www.youtube.com/@gfabasic32

- Roland Walter

www.rowalt.de/pc/

gfa.net/

- GB32's Help Document
- GB32's Sample programs

[Roger Cabo]

It's also possible to create screenshots and place them into obsproject.com (free)

Anyway.. If you know how to create the most simple Library, you can create step by step with some simple screenshots.

I tried to understand this site:
gfabasic32.blogspot.com/search/label/Library

But it explain how to create message boxes into a lib.
That's far beyond for anyone that doesn't know anything about Libs.
And I gave it up at anytime.

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


How I would do:

1) Create the most easy example eg Add 2 values in a function.
Function AddTwoINTValues(val1%, val2%) as INT
Return val1% + val2%

2) Create all additional lines for this Lib simple example and compile a Lib with GB32.
+ Show what important while compiling.
+ Define the name for the Lib
+ Compile

3) Add the new Lib inside a new LoadMyLib.g32 source code.

4) Are there any important things to know about using new Lib inside of the LoadMyLib.g32 ?

5) What I have to care about while shipping the lib with my complete compiled package?
+ Where the Lib have must be placed? (separate folder, same folder, is it possible to rename).. etc.


Then it would be possible to create samples and info for:

+ What are the restrictions of a library?
+ How are Strings used, do I have to destroy them manually?

+ What happen to pointers?
+ What happen to inline Assembler?
+ Can I call system DLLS inside of a lib.
+ What happen to large arrays?

---

ChatGPT 4.0 can also create GB32 Libs!

I've made a text file of the help file



GFABasic32 Libs description.txt (29.22 KB)

Then loaded it into ChatGPT. But only V4.0 is able to:



ChatGPT4.0 - Creates a library in GB32

Please note, I never tested this Lib created by ChatGPT!
But ChatGPT takes care of all the restrictions in
GFABasic32 Libs description.txt (29.22 KB)

But you can also let ChatGPT write Code in GB32! That's funny!

[(X)]

Thanks Roger,

I looked into "OBS Studio" a while back. It seems better now. I'll give it another try.

OK !  There was a little hickup in the default config, but, after switching to software encoding*; I'm off! 

*(I'm trying this out on my usual coding laptop.)