'
'
' ######################## Max Reason
' ##### README.TXT ##### copyright 1988-2000
' ######################## Linux XBasic introduction
'
' http://www.xbasic.org
' http://groups.yahoo.com/group/xbasic
' maxreason@maxreason.com
'
' for Linux XBasic
'
'
' ##### introduction #####
'
' XBasic is a integrated software development environment
' including an advanced compiler, edit/run/debug environment,
' and interactive GuiDesigner. Windows XBasic and Linux XBasic
' are compatible implementations - even applications containing
' extensive graphics and GUI functionality will run unmodified
' on both operating systems without any source-code changes.
'
' XBasic is "open-source freeware". The XBasic compiler and
' edit/run/debug environment are subject to the GPL license
' reproduced in file COPYING included in this distribution.
' The general purpose XBasic function libraries are subject
' to the LGPL license reproduced in file COPYING_LIB included
' in this distribution. All sample programs included with
' this distribution are public-domain unless otherwise
' specified in the sample program itself.
'
' Which license that applies each file is specified near
' the top of the file.
'
'
' ##### install XBasic #####
'
' You must follow the installation instructions exactly,
' or XBasic will not work properly, if at all.
'
' - Installing from xbasic-$(VERSION)-linux-i386.tar.gz
' (note: replace $(VERSION) with the correct version
' number)
'
' 1. Put the xbasic-$(VERSION)-linux-i386.tar.gz file in
' your / root directory.
' 2. Start an xterm window, then enter the following
' lines: ' cd / ' tar xfz xbasic-$(VERSION)-linux-i386.tar.gz
'
' - Install from xbasic-$(VERSION).i386.rpm
' 1. Start an xterm window, then enter the following
' lines: ' rpm --install xbasic-$(VERSION).i386.rpm
' If a previous version of xbasic was installed, remove it
' first by running 'rpm --erase xbasic-$(VERSION)'.
'
' All files are installed in the /usr/xb directory and
' subdirectories of /usr/xb except a symbolic link to the
' XBasic executable which is installed /usr/bin/xb ->
' /usr/xb/bin/xb and a symbolic link to the XBasic library
' which is installed as /usr/lib/libxb.a ->
' /usr/xb/lib/libxb.a
'
' To run XBasic, enter the following line:
' xb
'
' Previous releases of XBasic created a directory ~/xb and
' copied some files into it. All versions from 6.1.0
' onwards don't do that anymore and an existing ~/xb
' directory is ignored.
' Previous releases also had a 'master directory' (/usr/xb)
' and a 'working directory' (~/xb). All versions from 6.1.0
' onward ONLY have a 'master directory' which contains all
' files needed by the XBasic compiler/PDE. You can now use
' any directory as the working directory. Using ~/xb is
' discouraged, using a seperate directory per project is
' strongly encouraged.
'
'
' ##### run XBasic #####
'
' To run XBasic, simply enter "xb" on an xterm command line.
' Better yet, put a link to /usr/bin/xb on your desktop.
' Thereafter start XBasic by double-clicking the icon.
'
' The first time you run XBasic, select "help+new" and
' "help+notes" in the main window menu-bar and read them.
'
'
' ##### documentation #####
'
' The old XBasic documentation was in Microsoft Word format.
' The new XBasic documentation is in HTML format, and will
' henceforth be enhanced and improved by XBasic programmers.
' See http://www.maxreason.com/software/xbasic/xbasic.html
' for links to the HTML documentation that you can view
' online and/or download into your computer.
'
'
' ##### build XBasic #####
'
' All XBasic source code and other files needed to modify
' and rebuild XBasic are in a separate distribution:
' xbasic-$(VERSION)-linux-src.tar.gz.
' Note that because XBasic is written in XBasic you need
' to have an XBasic compiler installed before you're able
' to rebuild XBasic.
' To rebuild XBasic do the following:
'
' 1. Start an xterm window, then enter the following:
' cd /usr/src (or any other directory you like) ' tar xfz xbasic-$(VERSION)-linux-src.tar.gz ' cd xbasic-$VERSION ' make ' make install ' Note: make install installs the new XBasic in ' /usr/xb-$(VERSION). This way you'll still have a ' working XBasic (the one in /usr/xb) if your build ' is faulty.
'
' "make" builds a new XBasic executable. By default, "make"
' finds instructions in the file called "makefile", and is
' equivalent to "make -f makefile". A more secure way to
'
' The files necessary to rebuild XBasic include (at least):
'
' xcm.x ' complex number function library ' xcol.x ' XBasic compiler ' xdis.x ' 32-bit i486+ disassembler ' xgr.x ' graphics function library ' xin.x ' sockets/network/internet library ' xit.x ' integrated development environment ' xma.x ' mathematics function library ' xrun.x ' standalone executable support ' xst.x ' standard function library ' xui.x ' GuiDesigner function library
'
' appstart.s ' standalone executable support
' xlib.s ' core/startup assembly library
' xstart.s ' standalone executable support
' ' many files in xxx subdirectory
'
'
' You can run, modify, debug "xma.x", "xcm.x", "xui.x"
' and possibly "xin.x" in the development environment.
' You can do the same with "xcol.x" if you do what is
' specified near the top of that source-file, but be
' careful not to forget changing those /xxx/ fields
' or you will have endless and unexplainable troubles!
'
' You need to understand what ##WHOMASK and ##LOCKOUT
' are for before you start adding or modifying XBasic.
' Hint: ##WHOMASK self-implements a crude "two-thread"
' scheme that distinguishes memory allocated for the
' development environment from programs running in it.
' And ##LOCKOUT prevents signal being processed inside
' signals where that might cause problems.
'
'
' ##### build executables #####
'
' To build a standalone executables from applications
' you already debugged in the development environment,
' do the following (assume your program is "prog.x").
'
' 1. Start an xterm window, then enter:
' cd <source directory> ' xb prog.x ' make prog.mak ' 2. To execute your application, enter: ' ./prog
'
' ##############################
' ##### Compiling XBasic #####
' ##############################
'
' To be able to compile XBasic itself you need the following things
' - A working XBasic compiler (note: XBasic is largely written in XBasic
' itself)
'
' To compile XBasic:
' - unpack the sources into a separate directory (from the XBasic binary
' directory)
' - Goto that directory
' - make
' - make install
'
'
' ##### status #####
'
' This is the first release of XBasic in open-source.
' The documentation included to support development
' of the source-code is minimal at present. Join the
' XBasic mail-list forum for receive and provide help.
' Browse to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/xbasic .
'
'
' ##### always #####
'
' I hope you enjoy XBasic.
'
'