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NS Basic/CE is a complete BASIC toolkit (see packaging) that lets you program on a Windows Embedded/Windows Mobile device or on your desktop. It uses Microsoft's standard VBScript engine as its core, combined with extensions to create a complete development and runtime environment. NS Basic/CE provides a full, modern implementation of BASIC, with proper subroutines, variant data types and no line numbers. VBScript is built into the ROM of many devices, keeping memory requirements low.

Extensions provide support for file I/O, serial I/O, WINSOCK, financial functions, database I/O and a set of standard screen input and output objects and dialog boxes. Microsoft technologies such as ADO and ActiveX are supported. Applications you create are freely distributable and are write once, run anywhere. It comes with a 240 page spiral bound Handbook and lots of sample code.

With NS Basic/CE, you'll have everything you need to create great apps - on your device or on your desktop. No cables, no desktop toolkits, no synchronization, no downloading - or develop entirely on your desktop.

What's New

• Gradient buttons, giving a modern
• Automatic creation of device installers
• Embedded pictures, sounds and files
• Smaller runtime
• Over 40 other enhancements and fixes.

Highlights

• File I/O
• Serial and IR I/O
• Database support - SQLite, ADOCE, Pocket Access and SQL CE 2.0
• Internet access - Winsock
• Standard dialog boxes
• Input and output objects
• Extensive list of third party ActiveX Controls
• Easy to use program editor
• Visual Studio or Visual Basic not required
• Royalty free distribution of your programs
• Write once, run anywhere
• 240 page pocket sized handbook
• Lots of sample code

Summary of Advantages

NS Basic/CE provides a rapid application development.

It is quickly usable by Visual Basic programmers with little or no introduction.

NS Basic/CE is based on the language and development environment that Visual Basic programmers are used to, but optimized for the Windows CE/Windows Mobile environment.

NS Basic/CE is designed to take maximum advantage of the Windows CE/Windows Mobile architecture. Making use of code in the ROM of every Windows CE/Windows Mobile device, NS Basic has several advantages

• Small runtime (<200 k)
• Memory efficient applications
• Conformance with Windows CE/Windows Mobile User Interface specifications
• Compatibility with new versions of Windows CE/Windows Mobile
• Easy extensibility with OS functions

A powerful feature of NS Basic/CE is its ability to call standard Windows CE ActiveX controls. These work much like controls do on a Windows desktop, adding features to the core NS Basic product. Since they can be made using eMbedded Visual C++ which is free from Microsoft, it is easy for third parties and users to extend the functionality of the language. There are currently over 80 controls available.

Furthermore, NS Basic/CE allow you to call system API functions directly from your code, unlocking all the power of Windows CE.

Internationalization

NS Basic/CE has full support for European and double byte languages, such as Japanese, Chinese, Hebrew and Greek. Documentation is also available in Japanese and German.

The IDE is table driven and easy to localize for different languages. Versions are available in English, German, Spanish and Japanese. Other languages are easy to add.

Minimum Requirements

NS Basic/CE comes with installers for standard "go to market" versions of Windows CE. These include:

• Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
• Windows Mobile 6.1 Classic
• Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional
• Windows Mobile 6.0 Classic
• Windows Mobile 5.0
• Windows Mobile Pocket PC Second Edition
• Windows Mobile Pocket PC
• Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC
• Pocket PC Phone Edition 2003

Tour

Here is a look at NS Basic/CE in action on the desktop:
http://www.nsbasic.com/ce/info/DesktopTour1.html

Here is a look at NS Basic/CE in action on the device:
http://www.nsbasic.com/ce/info/Tour.html

Here is a tour of the Visual Designer on the device:
http://www.nsbasic.com/ce/info/Tour01.html

Specifications

With the addition of ActiveX controls, hundreds of more functions are available:
http://www.nsbasic.com/ce/info/technotes/TN01.htm

Kudos

Screenshots

1. Main IDE Screen - Desktop
2. Code Window on a Pocket PC
3. Visual Designer on a Pocket PC
4. Screen shots of the Winners of the latest NS Basic/CE Programming Contest

Ordering

Orders can be placed online or through dealers at
http://www.nsbasic.com/order.shtml

Questions?

A list of frequently asked questions is posted here:
http://www.nsbasic.com/ce/info/faq.html

You can also visit the busy NS Basic/CE Web Board:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nsbasic-ce

Company

The company's tools have always been grounded in BASIC, the most commonly used programming language. Virtually all programmers are familiar with the language: it's always been a reliable way of getting from point A to point B. It has a gentle learning curve as well, making it suitable for new or rusty programmers.

NS Basic/CE, released in 1998, is by no means the only development tool released by the company. It is complemented by NS Basic for Palm, for Palm OS devices and NS Basic/Desktop, for developing apps for Windows 2000 and XP. The company was also responsible for NS Basic/Newton and for Newtcard, a Hypercard-like product for the now defunct Newton.

All of the company's products come with complete and concise hardcopy documentation. The products are well supported with regular updates. Support is offered directly by the company (support@nsbasic.com) and by very active web boards on Yahoo Groups.