PBXB64 V21
PBXB64 V21 is a native Windows x64 toolchain with ten language frontends, EVAL, StringX and REGEX workflows, expanded bounded COBOL and FORTH subsets, detailed online feature documentation, and PBXB64 V21 within the V7 distribution.
The full reference help (CHM, EN+DE+ES+FR) ships in the download package — these feature pages replace the online help.
PBXB64 Additions vs. Original PB
PBXB64 retains PowerBASIC-style development while adding a unified native pipeline for B64, C, ASM, COBOL, FORTH, Logo, PILOT, Rust, and SPR. V21 adds runtime expression evaluation, broader StringX and REGEX workflows, expanded bounded COBOL and FORTH subsets, and stronger selected runtime/H-Lib interoperability.
| Area | Original PB | PBXB64 V21 |
|---|---|---|
| Languages | PowerBASIC only | PB/BASIC + B64 + C + ASM + COBOL + FORTH + Logo + PILOT + Rust + SPR NEW |
| Backend | Proprietary | Custom x64 IR + optimizer + assembler + linker NEW |
| Dependencies | External tools | Zero external dependencies NEW |
| Containers | None | 22 native core families plus the Safe synchronized wrapper V15 |
| Science types | None | DEC128 (18-digit decimal), RATIONAL (exact arithmetic) NEW |
| Regex | None | Built-in REGEXPR 1.25 engine, captures, backreferences, and replacement V15 |
| GUID/COM | None | GUID$(), CLSIDFROMPROGID$(), PROGIDFROMCLSID$() NEW |
| Wide integers | 64-bit max | 128 / 256 / 512-bit inline arithmetic NEW |
| Graphics | Classic PB graphics | Logo and BASIC turtle graphics NEW |
| Embedded automation | None | Embedded SPR with !! and VIP. NEW |
| Digital signing | None | V8: PBXB64.exe digitally signed, plus SHA-256 checksums NEW |
| Signing | None | Built-in PE Authenticode signing NEW |
X-Code, #OVERRIDE & Preprocessor
X-Code
Separate typed assembler dialect: virtual registers, X. commands, register allocation and APX modes. #XCODE … #ENDX accesses BASIC variables and bridge-imported storage. Additional to nine language inputs plus ASM; not another standalone file frontend.
View examples and details#OVERRIDE
Replace registered BASIC runtime functions with typed custom implementations. ABS(2)=42 example verified with V21. Distinct from the OVERRIDE method keyword and macro text substitution.
View syntax and exampleBASIC preprocessor
#INCLUDE, #DEFINE, conditional #IF branches and #REPEAT before compilation. A small V21 example checks their combined effect against result 42.
View checked exampleTargeted V21 evidence from 2026-09-30; native APX encoding checked separately, APX hardware execution not confirmed. The detail page explains a known emulation limitation.
Language Features and the V21 Package
PowerBASIC gains EVAL()/EVAL$(), expanded number and string conversion, practical StringX helpers, and updated REGEXPR access. The bounded COBOL frontend covers more linkage, arithmetic, OCCURS, STRING and UNSTRING scenarios; the tested native FORTH subset adds CATCH, THROW, EXECUTE, dictionary, memory, and mathematical words.
Feature Categories
Architecture
Ten language frontends, unified IR, custom x64 backend, built-in assembler, COFF writer, and PE32+ linker.
Data Types
Standard PB types plus the complete UN family, native H-Lib data structures, DEC128, RATIONAL, COM types, and wide integers.
Control Flow
IF, SELECT CASE, FOR/NEXT (all types, negative STEP), WHILE, DO, GOSUB/RETURN, GOTO, ON GOTO, WITH, EXIT.
H-Lib Containers
22 native core families plus Safe, with auto-init/final, method dispatch, subscripts, UDT payloads, BYVAL/BYREF, and SortUsing callbacks.
Science & Math
DEC128, RATIONAL, REGEXPR, GUID, wide integers, hyperbolic trig, ATN2, HYPOT, the complete UN family, MAT, and LINALG.
String Functions
REGEXPR 1.25 with REGEXPR, REGREPL, REGEX$, REGEXREPLACE$, captures, backreferences, binary-safe targets, plus ANSI and WSTRING operations.
Networking
TCP OPEN/CLOSE/SEND/RECV/LISTEN/ACCEPT, UDP, HOST ADDR/NAME, COMM serial ports. Real Win32 socket API.
Graphics & GUI
GRAPHIC WINDOW, LINE, BOX, CIRCLE, GUI NEW, DIALOG, CONTROL, DISPLAY, FONT, MENU. Real GDI/GDI+.
OOP & Classes
CLASS, INTERFACE, METHOD, PROPERTY, EVENTS FROM/END, RAISEEVENT, IMPLEMENTS, WITH. Full vtable dispatch.
COM & Automation
VARIANT, OBJECT, GUID, CreateObject, IDispatch automation. Type-safe with automatic reference counting.
Registry & System
REGISTER KEY/SET/GET/CLOSE/DELETE, COMM OPEN/CLOSE/SET/SEND/RECV, PROCESS PRIORITY, MOUSEPTR.
Dialogs & Controls
DIALOG SHOW MODAL/END, CONTROL ADD, DISPLAY BROWSE/COLOR/FONT/OPENFILE/SAVEFILE, MENU, ACCEL.
Clipboard & Shell
Clipboard GetText/SetText/Clear, SHELL, ENVIRON, COMMAND. Real Win32 clipboard API with atomic tests.
Resource Compiler
#RESOURCE directive, .rc to .res pipeline, windres integration. Icons, dialogs, string tables, version info.
V21 Language Frontends
Expanded bounded COBOL and FORTH subsets build on the ten-frontend pipeline, Logo/BASIC turtle graphics, embedded SPR, and typed frontend bridges.
V21 overview →Threading
Thread creation, synchronization-oriented helpers, and concurrent runtime surfaces.
Explore →V21 Release Scope
The V7 package contains PBXB64 0.50.0-V21, 218 canonical C17 headers, four reference CHMs (DE, EN, ES, FR), HelpSamples.chm and 6,321 sample source files. V21 specifically corrects the stale stdarg.h packaging; its release notes identify the compiler as unsigned.