XBasic

XBasic refers to a family of BASIC (Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) programming languages. Historically, it generally denotes a dialect of BASIC that aimed for greater structure, features, and capabilities compared to earlier, simpler versions of BASIC such as those found on early personal computers like the Commodore 64 or Apple II. XBasic versions often offered improvements in areas like data types, control structures, modularity, and access to system resources.

The term "XBasic" wasn't necessarily tied to a single, universally recognized standard or implementation. Instead, it served as a general descriptor for extended or advanced BASIC implementations offered by different vendors or as user-created derivatives. These versions sought to overcome limitations of earlier BASIC dialects and make the language more suitable for larger, more complex software development.

Specifically, XBasic implementations often included:

• Improved Data Types: Support for integer, single-precision floating-point, double-precision floating-point, string, and sometimes user-defined data types.
• Structured Programming Constructs: While earlier BASICs relied heavily on GOTO statements, XBasic versions typically incorporated more robust control structures such as IF...THEN...ELSE, WHILE...WEND, FOR...NEXT, and SELECT CASE statements, facilitating structured programming practices.
• Subroutines and Functions: Facilities for defining and using subroutines and functions with parameter passing, promoting modularity and code reuse.
• Graphics and Sound Support: Extended features for interacting with graphics displays and sound hardware, allowing for the creation of more visually and aurally engaging programs.
• File Input/Output: More sophisticated mechanisms for reading and writing data to files.
• Memory Management: Improved memory management capabilities, enabling the creation of larger and more complex programs.

Because "XBasic" isn't a defined standard, the specific features and characteristics of any particular XBasic implementation would vary depending on the creator and intended use case. Some notable dialects sometimes considered under the XBasic umbrella included versions offered with certain operating systems or application development environments. However, the term served primarily as a generic indicator of a more advanced or extended BASIC compared to the original, simpler forms.