From: danieli@cps.msu.edu (Thomas Danieli)
Newsgroups: alt.lang.basic
Subject: Press release for Visual Basic for DOS
Date: 4 Sep 92 14:16:17 GMT
Organization: Department of Computer Science, Michigan State University
Originator: danieli@atlantic.cps.msu.edu

Since there seems to be some interest in this I am posting the press release
for the new language. I have been part of a alpha and beta site for testing of
the product, and can answer some , but probably not all questions. 

We are using this language as part of a new introductory course at michigan
state. 

tom danieli 
michigan state university
danieli@cps.msu.edu
danielit@clvax1.cl.msu.edu


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From: Newswire Mailing
Subject: Microsoft: Introduces MS Visual Basic for MS-DOS
Date: Tue, Sep 1, 1992 8:36AM


    Microsoft Introduces Microsoft Visual Basic for MS-DOS

	REDMOND, Wash. -- Sept. 1, 1992 -- Microsoft
Corporation today announced the Microsoft* Visual Basic*
programming system for MS-DOS*, Standard and Professional
Editions.  Visual Basic for MS-DOS is based on the same easy-to-
use, visual programming model pioneered in Visual Basic for the
Windows* operating system.  Combining the ease of graphical
design with the power and versatility of traditional programming,
developers simply draw the user interface and attach code that
responds to events.
	Designed to offer developers the fastest and easiest way to
create portable applications, Visual Basic for MS-DOS provides the
same collection of objects available in its counterpart for Windows.
Forms, menus, 15 standard controls and a compatible programming
language allow developers to simultaneously develop applications
for MS-DOS and Windows.  Finished applications can be compiled
into native 80X86 standalone executable files.  No runtime library is
required.
	"This extension of the Visual Basic product line addresses
many issues for organizations in transition between MS-DOS and
Windows," said Tom Button, group product manager for the
applications programmability product unit at Microsoft.
"Applications written in Visual Basic for MS-DOS will smooth the
path to Windows for developers, PC managers and their users.
Developers can leverage their code, PC managers can preserve their
investment in older PCs, and users can benefit from similar
applications on both platforms.  Corporations, VARs and
independent software vendors can now focus their resources on
developing a consistent set of applications, targeted to the two
most popular PC platforms," he continued.
	In addition to compatibility with Visual Basic for Windows,
Visual Basic for MS-DOS runs the existing Microsoft QuickBasic* development
system, Basic professional development system, and MS-DOS
QBasic* Interpreter code unchanged, preserving the investments of
more than a million users worldwide.  New features can be
incrementally added to Microsoft QuickBasic-based applications
without restructuring existing code.

Microsoft Visual Basic for MS-DOS, Standard Edition
	The Standard Edition is designed for hobbyists, engineers,
students and other casual programmers who need an easy,
productive means for creating compiled
MS-DOS-based applications that are portable to and from
Windows.  Features such as a form designer for drawing user
interfaces, a multi-window, syntax checking code editor, rich
debugging tools, and a Toolkit of commonly used dialog boxes give
developers the ability to become productive quickly.
	Learning to use Visual Basic for MS-DOS is made easy
with sample applications, context-sensitive Help with extensive on-
line sample code, and an on-line tutorial.

Microsoft Visual Basic for MS-DOS, Professional Edition
	Microsoft Visual Basic for MS-DOS, Professional Edition,
adds the speed, capacity and database access required by
professional developers.  VARs, ISVs and software consultants
working in both Windows and MS-DOS operating systems will find
the additional power they need to quickly develop a wide range of
full-featured, high-performance applications for MS-DOS.
	In addition to all of the features in the Standard Edition, the
Professional Edition includes the following tools and features:
	*	386/486 Code Optimization.  Compiler option
		generates code tuned for 386/486 microprocessors to
		yield significant performance gains.
	*	Integrated High-speed ISAM (Indexed Sequential
		Access Method) database engine.  Provides fast and
		easy access up to 128MB of data facilitating the
		development of data-centric applications.
	*	Microsoft Overlay Environment (MOVE)
		technology.  Enables developers to write overlaid MS-
		DOS-based applications that use up to 16MB of
		overlaid code.  MOVE automatically takes advantage
		of EMS/XMS memory if available or swaps to a disk if not.
	*	Alternate Math Library.  Accelerates floating-point
		math operations up to 300 percent when running on a
		computer without a math co-processor.
	*	Charting, On-line Help, Setup and Financial
		Function Toolkits.  Provides tools and source code for
		creating applications with charts, hypertext help and
		custom setup programs.
	*	Custom Control Development Kit.  Allows the
		developer using Visual Basic for MS-DOS to build new
		custom controls.  Contains complete documentation
		and sample code for creating custom controls in C,
		Assembly or Visual Basic itself.
	*	Source Code Profiler.  Assists in performance tuning
		by displaying program statistics such as length of time
		to execute procedures and identifying the number of
		times each procedure was called.

Extensibility Offers Programmers Wide Variety of Choices
	Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows created a large third
party market for add-on tools.  The unique extensibility mechanism
in the Visual Basic programming system enables third-party
developers to extend the Toolbox with additional pre-built
components called custom controls.  Microsoft Visual Basic for
MS-DOS offers similar extensibility through custom controls,
database add-ons, utilities and libraries.  In addition, more than a
dozen third party books have been announced supporting Visual
Basic for MS-DOS.  A complete 48-page catalog of third party
add-ons is included.

System Requirements, Pricing and Availability
	The Standard Edition of Microsoft Visual Basic for MS-
DOS requires a PC/XT or above with 640K memory and takes
advantage of EMS/XMS memory if present.  The suggested retail
price is $199.  Microsoft QuickBasic, Basic PDS, Visual Basic for
Windows and Borland* language users may acquire it at a special
price of $99.  Students and educators can get the single-user
packages for $49.95 and 10 packs for $199.
	The Professional Edition requires a PC/XT or above with
640K memory, with an additional 1MB of EMS/XMS memory
recommended.  The suggested retail price is $495.  Microsoft
QuickBasic, Basic PDS, Visual Basic for Windows and Borland
language users may purchase at a special price of $199.
	Microsoft Visual Basic for MS-DOS, Standard and
Professional Editions are scheduled to be available in early
September.  In addition, French and German versions will be
available simultaneously, with Italian and Japanese versions
available later this year.
	Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ MSFT) is the worldwide
leader in software for personal computers.  The company offers a
wide range of product and services for business and personal use,
each designed with the mission of making it easier and more
enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal
computing every day.

			#########
Microsoft and MS-DOS are registered trademarks and Microsoft Quick 
Basic, QBasic, Visual Basic and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft 
Corporation.
Borland is a registered trademark of Borland International, Inc.

All prices are U.S. suggested retail prices.  Reseller prices may vary.