I’m building a #VB6-style interpreter in #FreePascal! 
It parses & runs `.BAS`-like code with support for classic keywords like `Dim`, `If`, `For`, `Sub`, `Goto`, `Print`, and more.
Done:
`If/Then/Else`, `Goto`, `Sub`, `Call`, `Input`, `Print`, `For/Next`, `Do While`, etc.
In progress: `ElseIf`, `Select Case`, `Exit Sub`, `Const`, loops
Next: `Function`, `Return`, `Gosub`, `File I/O`, `Type`, `Error Handling`
@babble_endanger #FreePascal runs on #MSDOS, 9x, XP and up, #PowerPC MacOS and lots more. Heck, VisualBasic 6 #VB6 runs on 9x thru Win11 and is more stable an ABI on #Linux via Wine than Linux apps have. #Rust ’s problem is a matter of will; a turning up of the nose of anything that isn’t “current” — a moniker they haven’t realised they don’t control; that’s in the hands of Microsoft, Apple, Google etc.
Moved instance, so time for a new #introduction!
I'm Alex and I have a PDA problem.
In 2018, after 16 years of using various #Psion portables, I decided to try my hand at developing hardware and software for my beloved Series 3c to help me with journalling and creative writing.
6 years and repeated sidequests later, I've ended up doing a lot of research into the SIBO/EPOC16 platform, and done my best to document it when I can. I've also nudged former developers into open sourcing their old Psion apps.
My current main projects are:
Outside of #retrocomputing, I'm your common-or-garden British nerd. I'm a Linux user - mostly Arch, but I dabble with others. I also like a bit of #HaikuOS and I'm planning on giving #FreeBSD a go very soon.
I used to be a senior computer monkey, specialising in on-prem SME infrastructure (I lament the loss of vSphere). Now I train others to become computer monkeys (for better or worse). As a result, sometimes you'll see me wrestling with old Cisco ASAs, Ubiquiti APs, or modded kit running #OpenWrt.
Generally, I like making things do stuff, especially if it's stuff that the thing wasn't originally designed to do.
VA3KZR as of 2023-12-09
Started with #Commodore Vic-20 - at school, we learned graphical #LOGO on PETS and Apple IIe's... crashed the school Unisys ICON network far too often...
Headed to college, *thought* I would be heavily involved in, electronics design, and engineering - instead, it was #programming.
First was #VisualBasic 1.0; next, Borland #Delphi 1.0 / #ObjectPascal - still dabble with #FreePascal #Lazarus, a smidge of #Java, a lot of #CSharp and some #Python.
Blog post: "Thinking Back on ‘Turbo Pascal’ as It Turns 40"
I had several meaningful encounters with Turbo Pascal over the years, in my early developer days, and I thought I'd share some fond memories.
https://bytecellar.com/2023/12/04/thinking-back-on-turbo-pascal-as-it-turns-40/
Who me? Just a #Maker, IT Consultant and "all-around-#nerd".
I grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons, original #StarTrek re-runs, reading #Fantasy & #SciFi (not SyFy), lots of #Lego and eventually graduated to #RPG and #tabletop gaming.
My first computer was a #Commodore Vic-20 - at school, we learned graphical #LOGO on PETS and Apple IIe's... crashed the Unisys ICON network often before getting my first PC - grudgingly - really wanted an #Amiga.
Eventually, it was time for college - I *thought* I would be heavily involved in the physical aspects of technology, circuit design, and hardware engineering - instead, I gravitated to #programming.
My first professional #programming language was #VisualBasic 1.0; eventually, jumping into Borland #Delphi 1.0 and #ObjectPascal - still dabble with #FreePascal #Lazarus, a smidge of #Java, a lot of #CSharp and some #Python. My #JavaScript is ancient...
