No it's not...
Seriously, my 2 apps - KidSafe and Robots - are both created using REALbasic, a cross-platform BASIC dialect... and it works just fine.
To answer the OP's question, you should probably use NSIS - you can just copy/paste from existing launchers if you want to learn on-the-job, or you can read the NSIS docs if you want to get it down thoroughly first. The choice is up to you... (although you'll probably end up doing a lot of copy/paste stuff anyway, just to save time)
"The question I would like to know, is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. All we know about it is that the Answer is Forty-two, which is a little aggravating."
I definitely avoid language bashing anywhere. I figure if you know a language inside and out, you're doing good. Better then trying to implement something in a language you don't know just cause the language is more popular.
I will make a friendly exception for python though
We use NSIS here, so you're more likely to be able to get a response on how to do something.
The bonus is all the pieces of code you can find in different places. You're very likely to get a, download this launcher to see a implementation, check out lines 136 to 245 Just kidding, there's nothing that wordy, except maybe my comments.
Wow, I just re-posted everything computerfreaker just said.
Too many lonely hearts in the real world
Too many bridges you can burn
Too many tables you can't turn
Don't wanna live my life in the real world
As John said, it's ironic that we use NSIS when the apps are defined to not need installers :P.
Anyway, the only problem with NSIS (unless LogicLib comes in) is that it nurtures spaghetti code. C made that apparent (speaking of, does anybody know a good GUI designer?)
Insert original signature here with Greasemonkey Script.
I don't know quite why you're trying to hijack this thread with asking about GUI designers. Anyway, it depends entirely on what GUI system you're using (Windows API usage, wxWidgets, GTK, Qt, etc.).
I am a Christian and a developer and moderator here.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
Sure, it's possible...
In REALBasic, the development environment I use (not for installers though), you can create a "plain box" window - no title bar, no frame, no icon, just a plain box. I'd just create a plain box window, put the "Unsupported release" icon as its Backdrop, then use a timer to hide it.
Of course, the instructions will vary from dialect to dialect of BASIC... but the general idea is the same.
"The question I would like to know, is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. All we know about it is that the Answer is Forty-two, which is a little aggravating."
The possibilities of REALbasic are completely different from those of BASIC. BASIC is command-line only, REALbasic (or Visual Basic, or Small Basic) are Windows programs. With BASIC it is utterly impossible to do a splash screen such as we use.
I am a Christian and a developer and moderator here.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
Yes, but we're not talking about commandline only apps. We're talking about windows apps.
And our NSIS based system uses windows to let the user know if something has gone wrong. Not dos-based windows.
Therefore, the use of straight basic is pretty much ruled out, not because of the splash screen issue, but because there would be no way to create these message boxes that we use. Correct? Please tell me if I'm off base with that statement.
But REALBasic would be acceptable, as it can display splash screens and create the needed interface.
Too many lonely hearts in the real world
Too many bridges you can burn
Too many tables you can't turn
Don't wanna live my life in the real world
I did but I did it using FreeBASIC and my limitations is that I still couldn't get registry functions working so I gave up on the idea, though I may try again but with c++ just for the fun of it.
your friendly neighbourhood moderator Zach Thibeau
Registry functions aren't too bad once you write a wrapper... I have a VB6 module that wraps the Registry functions, and RB includes Registry support built-in.
"The question I would like to know, is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. All we know about it is that the Answer is Forty-two, which is a little aggravating."
The original poster (OP) has only made two posts in this whole thread and neither specify the dialect of BASIC they're trying to use (QBASIC, FreeBASIC, REALbasic, etc). Until that nugget of knowledge is known, you can't say "it can't be done" because you don't know what they're trying to code with. This is a failing of the OP in being non-specific in their request.
I wouldn't call them dialects myself; I'd call them completely different languages from the original BASIC dialects like QuickBASIC. How much syntax do REALbasic and Microsoft QuickBASIC share? Almost none is putting it gently.
I am a Christian and a developer and moderator here.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
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Just don't use BASIC. Why would you be using BASIC? Which implementation of BASIC, anyway?
I am a Christian and a developer and moderator here.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
...
That language is OLD...
No it's not...

Seriously, my 2 apps - KidSafe and Robots - are both created using REALbasic, a cross-platform BASIC dialect... and it works just fine.
To answer the OP's question, you should probably use NSIS - you can just copy/paste from existing launchers if you want to learn on-the-job, or you can read the NSIS docs if you want to get it down thoroughly first. The choice is up to you... (although you'll probably end up doing a lot of copy/paste stuff anyway, just to save time)
"The question I would like to know, is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. All we know about it is that the Answer is Forty-two, which is a little aggravating."
I definitely avoid language bashing anywhere. I figure if you know a language inside and out, you're doing good. Better then trying to implement something in a language you don't know just cause the language is more popular.
I will make a friendly exception for python though
We use NSIS here, so you're more likely to be able to get a response on how to do something.
The bonus is all the pieces of code you can find in different places. You're very likely to get a, download this launcher to see a implementation, check out lines 136 to 245
Just kidding, there's nothing that wordy, except maybe my comments.
Wow, I just re-posted everything computerfreaker just said.
Too many lonely hearts in the real world
Too many bridges you can burn
Too many tables you can't turn
Don't wanna live my life in the real world
As John said, it's ironic that we use NSIS when the apps are defined to not need installers :P.
Anyway, the only problem with NSIS (unless LogicLib comes in) is that it nurtures spaghetti code. C made that apparent (speaking of, does anybody know a good GUI designer?)
Insert original signature here with Greasemonkey Script.
We use LogicLib for everything now.
I don't know quite why you're trying to hijack this thread with asking about GUI designers. Anyway, it depends entirely on what GUI system you're using (Windows API usage, wxWidgets, GTK, Qt, etc.).
I am a Christian and a developer and moderator here.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
there's one for autohotkey, is that what you're looking for?
Too many lonely hearts in the real world
Too many bridges you can burn
Too many tables you can't turn
Don't wanna live my life in the real world
I know of SmartGUI, but it's 50% unpredictable, so I think I'll try my hand a Python. What kind of GUI designers are there for that?
Insert original signature here with Greasemonkey Script.
Start at Graphical user interface builder (Wikipedia). (Not here, you're hijacking this thread, please stop it)
I am a Christian and a developer and moderator here.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
im talkin about the splash screen at the start of running the program
https://portableapps.com/files/images/development/SplashDevelopmentTestR...
high explosives and electricity yay!
As I said, just don't use BASIC. You can't do it with it.
I am a Christian and a developer and moderator here.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
thx
high explosives and electricity yay!
um I believe zach thibeau managed to do that. Only problem he had was is you had to dismiss the screen . . .
EDIT:
I just did a quick google search and it appears that it is possible.
Too many lonely hearts in the real world
Too many bridges you can burn
Too many tables you can't turn
Don't wanna live my life in the real world
Sure, it's possible...
In REALBasic, the development environment I use (not for installers though), you can create a "plain box" window - no title bar, no frame, no icon, just a plain box. I'd just create a plain box window, put the "Unsupported release" icon as its Backdrop, then use a timer to hide it.
Of course, the instructions will vary from dialect to dialect of BASIC... but the general idea is the same.
"The question I would like to know, is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. All we know about it is that the Answer is Forty-two, which is a little aggravating."
The possibilities of REALbasic are completely different from those of BASIC. BASIC is command-line only, REALbasic (or Visual Basic, or Small Basic) are Windows programs. With BASIC it is utterly impossible to do a splash screen such as we use.
I am a Christian and a developer and moderator here.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
Yes, but we're not talking about commandline only apps. We're talking about windows apps.
And our NSIS based system uses windows to let the user know if something has gone wrong. Not dos-based windows.
Therefore, the use of straight basic is pretty much ruled out, not because of the splash screen issue, but because there would be no way to create these message boxes that we use. Correct? Please tell me if I'm off base with that statement.
But REALBasic would be acceptable, as it can display splash screens and create the needed interface.
Too many lonely hearts in the real world
Too many bridges you can burn
Too many tables you can't turn
Don't wanna live my life in the real world
I did but I did it using FreeBASIC and my limitations is that I still couldn't get registry functions working so I gave up on the idea, though I may try again but with c++ just for the fun of it.
your friendly neighbourhood moderator Zach Thibeau
Registry functions aren't too bad once you write a wrapper... I have a VB6 module that wraps the Registry functions, and RB includes Registry support built-in.
"The question I would like to know, is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything. All we know about it is that the Answer is Forty-two, which is a little aggravating."
The original poster (OP) has only made two posts in this whole thread and neither specify the dialect of BASIC they're trying to use (QBASIC, FreeBASIC, REALbasic, etc). Until that nugget of knowledge is known, you can't say "it can't be done" because you don't know what they're trying to code with. This is a failing of the OP in being non-specific in their request.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_BASIC_dialects_by_platform#Microsof...
Cancer Survivors -- Remember the fight, celebrate the victory!
Help control the rugrat population -- have yourself spayed or neutered!
I wouldn't call them dialects myself; I'd call them completely different languages from the original BASIC dialects like QuickBASIC. How much syntax do REALbasic and Microsoft QuickBASIC share? Almost none is putting it gently.
I am a Christian and a developer and moderator here.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
Or edit the entry yourself.
"This is a list of dialects of the BASIC computer programming language, sorted into groups for better conceptual organization."
Cancer Survivors -- Remember the fight, celebrate the victory!
Help control the rugrat population -- have yourself spayed or neutered!
I think you should use punch cards.