https://rapidq.phatcode.net/download/index.html
RapidQ does not use resources or the registry, so there is really no
need for an installer. Also, this makes deleting the package simple.
https://rapidq.phatcode.net/
http://www.wildgardenseed.com/RQDP/
Discussion groups and collection of files to members
https://groups.io/g/rapidq
The RapidQ2 project at https://rapidq.phatcode.net/
is intended to improve the compiler by creating include files with added
functionality.
1.0 If RapidQ is a Beta release does the
program have a lot of bugs? Will they be fixed?
The bugs are not too bad and many can be avoided by
alternative coding. The main reason for this new documentation is
to inform programmers of possible bugs and alternative coding options.
Obviously there is potential for a bug in your program that will not be
fixed since support for the compiler is gone. Don't contact William Yu,
or RealBasic about supporting the compiler! You can always look into
other basics that have support like Real BASIC or FreeBasic.
Since there will be no upgrade to the compiler, the only way to improve
the language is through coding and API calls. The RapidQ2.INC file at
https://rapidq.phatcode.net was made as
a way to start sharing standard code between programmers. It's not so
bad, what compiler doesn't have a bug somewhere?
1.1 How slow is Rapid-Q anyway?
Although Rapid-Q is based on compiling your sources to byte-code,
execution isn't as slow as many think. Byte-coded programs, which can
be faster than some scripted programming languages. Obviously your
programs will be slower than optimized C/C++ code and other compilers
that build machine language code. however, it is not all that slow!
You will notice slow speed for nested loops, heavy computations, or to
perform very low level manipulation to data. For example, reading a
single byte from a 1MB file will take longer in Rapid-Q than in most
languages, but not so extremely slow. Same with looping I = I + 1 a
few thousand times. But in terms of displaying graphics, controls and
forms, it's just as fast as any other language. The problem with
byte-code is going away with faster and faster computers. If you need
real speed you can run a separate DLL written in another language
(FreeBasic, BCX, HotBasic, C,but not ActiveX, COM or C++). There is
also a way to add assembly language code to your program using RQASM..
1.2 What about bloat-ware?
At a minimum the Rapid-Q interpreter requires about 300KB
(150KB for Linux, 600KB for Sparc). So this is the overhead that all
your programs will have. Compared to some Windows programs, this isn't
that bad, Most likely your bytecode is less than 50KB anyway (for a
moderate/large application), plus any resources and graphics you may
want to include of course.
1.3 Does Rapid-Q require extra runtime DLLs?
No. All your programs require no extra runtime DLLs or
externalities. Just distribute your .EXE file and that's it. They
should run on any Win95/98/NT system, assuming the end user hasn't
done anything to his/her Windows System files. If you compare the
bloat-ware of Rapid-Q and the runtime DLLs of other languages, Rapid-Q
isn't that bad in terms of bloated size.
1.4 How much memory does Rapid-Q suck out of my
programs?
It doesn't suck anything out of your programs (not literally), but
it does suck memory out of Windows which in turn limit the amount of
memory for your program(s). It really isn't as bad as one might think
though. It eats up less than 200KB for virtual, global, and heap
memory combined. This is because all variables and objects are created
dynamically. The heap/stack memory is the one you should look out for.
If your program is deeply nested or involves intense recursion, this
can grow and shrink very rapidly. You don't need to worry about
cleaning up your objects or variables when your program terminates.
Rapid-Q will free all your objects and clean up the memory space for
you.
1.5 How easy is it to hack into my programs?
Being a byte-code compiler, if the end user knows how everything
is constructed, then it's just a formality. However, Rapid-Q generates
a non-standard, or non-specific type byte-code output, which means,
unless the user specifically knows what each operation does, it is
very very difficult to hack your program. It's easy to hack into your
string variables (like any other language), because these things
aren't encrypted anyway. In most cases, your program should be safe
from snoopers, they might not even know your program is byte-code
generated! Unlike Java or other languages, Rapid-Q does not attach any
symbol table or extra debugging information to your .EXE.
1.6 Do I need a license to distribute my programs?
No. You don't need a license to use Rapid-Q (it's free), and you
definitely don't need any license to distribute or sell your programs.
The only agreement you have to worry about is that if you choose to
use Rapid-Q, you assume any and all consequences, direct or indirectly
from the use of Rapid-Q. Rapid-Q can be used for any task, whether
it's profit-seeking or otherwise. You don't pay me a cent, and you
don't even have to acknowledge that your program was created with
Rapid-Q (although this would be a nice gesture). You CANNOT, however,
distribute Rapid-Q (the program itself) and charge for it. You're
allowed to bundle Rapid-Q along with your program(s), so long as the
user is well informed that it's not buying into Rapid-Q, but rather,
buying into your program. How is that done? By not even advertising
that your distribution includes a copy of Rapid-Q. Call it the hidden
feature.
Q. Can you make a DLL
with RapidQ? Can you link with .LIB files?
A. No, there is no
support for making your own DLL, ActiveX, or COM programming interface.
However, RapidQ can freely use DLLs written in another language if you
can properly set up DECLARE SUB/FUNCTION statements. RapidQ cannot use
DLL with COM interfaces. Also there is no ability for the compiler
to do a run-time link with a library file (.LIB). Again FreeBasic,
BCX, FSBL, HotBasic, and RealBasic are good alternatives here.
Q. What
is the latest version of DirextX supported?
A. DirectX version
6.0 is the last version supported. DXsound is also version 6.0. The
DirectX and Direct3D components are very functional but only represent a
subset of all DirectX components, since they were not completed. Support
for Direct 3D is through DirectX Retained Mode interface. It will
continue to be provided by Microsoft but unfortunately is no longer
being upgraded by Microsoft. There is no current support for DirectShow,
DirectInput, and newer interfaces. It is possible to use wrapper DLLs
(the DLL does the work for you).
Q.
Can you use OpenGL for graphics and is it fast?
A. Yes, you can
use OpenGL. There is a set of include files () that allows you to interface to OpenGL (DLL libraries). There are not
many examples at the time of this writting and limited texture file
formats. The speed of OpenGL is mostly dependent on hardware
acceleration, but you will notice that RapidQ will be slower than C++
code for 3D objects with 1000's of vertices. For small number of
vertices, you may not notice any difference.
Q.
My virus detection software (Norton) tells me RapidQ has a Trojan
virus or some weird virus:
A. One is an old problem,
that requires you to update your antivirus software. Also RapidQ
compresses the executable with UPX.
This makes for a smaller executable but the UPX file compressor might
set off some virus dectection software. Unpack your program before
running / distribution. Older Norton Antivirus definition files (Dec.
2004), detects the new rapidq3.lib (a Dr electron fixed library)
as a "Hacktool." Norton tries to place the file(s) in quarantine. The
library does not have a virus. Your options are :
1) Update Norton virus definition file or use the older rapidq3.lib.
2) Exclude the file or folder, and perform a scan. To exclude a file or
folder, see:
http://service1.symantec.com/Support/nav.nsf/docid/199829164436
3) If Norton AntiVirus is set to its highest sensitivity, then put
the virus settings back to their default (standard) level. This may
be
important for AV alerts each time that a program writes to another file.
--Click Norton AntiVirus (NAV) 'options'
--Select Script blocking.
--Check the option "Ask me what to do (recommended)" under the title
'How to respond when a malicious script found'
See
http://service1.symantec.com/support/nav.nsf/docid/2002041014332806
Q.
I get a "Cannot focus a disabled or invisible window" error, how do I
fix it?
A. The error doesn't
cause any problems so just ignore it. The fix is to put the file
"riched32.dll " (dated 3/2003) into the directory with RapidQ.EXE and
RC.EXE. Obtain this file from rapidq source locations such
as g.slyip.com (use the search box). The problem is a
result of an newer richedit dll that comes with the newer versions of
windows. The IDE must have a disabled or invisible window that it
tries to focus when it first runs, but since earlier versions of the dll
in question didn't catch it, it went unnoticed until the dll's were
updated recently. Do not register this DLL! Just put it in the RapidQ
directory.
Q. How
to minimize an application to the task bar
A. Use QFormEx (found in
rapidq2.inc) or these commands minimize an application to
the task bar:
SetWindowLong(Form.Handle, GWL_HWNDPARENT, 0)
SetWindowLong(Application.Handle, GWL_HWNDPARENT, Form.Handle)
Form.WindowState = wsMinimized
Also the file http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rapidq/files/Scheduler.bas
shows you how to manage a
tray popup
menu.
Q. How do you to put a bitmap in the
ClipBoard?
A. Draw
to a QBitmapEx (found in rapidq2.inc) then use
Bitmap.PasteToClipboard.
The width, height and PixelFormat of theQBitmapEx object
affect how it looks.
Q. How
do you find out if my application is already running, also called
previous instance of your application.
A.
Look on the web for the Previnst.Bas example:
1) One solution is use FindWindow like this previnst.bas example:
http://citymap.getmyip.com
or http://g.slyip.com
Q. How
can you create a custom event?
A.
Yes, you can use an existing event like OnMouseMove, or make a
custom event using Windows messages. See the source code for
QFormEx to see custom events that hook the WndProc Callback function
with Windows messages.
Here is an example by Pavel Minayev:
' A short example demonstrating custom events
' QCircle is a simple control that looks a circle, and it
provides OnHitCircle event, which is called each time the
' user clicks inside of the circle. It also passes one argument
which is the distance from the center of the circle to
' the point clicked.
$INCLUDE "rapidq.inc"
' This declaration is used as a template for event handlers
' for OnHitCircle event
DECLARE SUB HitCircleEvent(d AS SINGLE)
TYPE QCircle EXTENDS QCanvas
' Declare an event based on previously declared handler template
OnHitCircle AS EVENT(HitCircleEvent)
EVENT OnPaint
WITH QCircle
.Circle(0, 0, .Width, .Height, clWindowText, clBtnFace)
END WITH
END EVENT
EVENT OnMouseDown(Button AS LONG, x AS LONG, y AS LONG, Shift AS LONG)
WITH QCircle
d = SQR((x - .Width / 2) ^ 2 + (y - .Height / 2) ^ 2)
' If cursor was inside of the circle, fire the event
IF d <= .Width / 2 THEN CALLFUNC(.OnHitCircle, d)
END WITH
END EVENT
CONSTRUCTOR
Width = 100
Height = 100
END CONSTRUCTOR
END TYPE
' ************* Test code *********
SUB Circle1_HitCircle(d AS SINGLE)
SHOWMESSAGE "Distance from center: " + STR$(d)
END SUB
CREATE Form AS QForm
Width = 300
Height = 300
CREATE Circle1 AS QCircle
OnHitCircle = Circle1_HitCircle
END CREATE
Center
ShowModal
END CREATE
