GAMBAS, which stands for “GAMBAS Almost Means Basic,” is an open-source programming language and integrated development environment (IDE) primarily designed for creating desktop applications in the Linux environment. It is similar to Microsoft Visual Basic and provides a simple and easy-to-learn syntax for developing graphical user interface (G.U.I.) applications.
History of Gambas
Gambas was created by Benoît Minisini in 1999 to provide a user-friendly alternative to complex programming languages. It has developed into an effective tool for creating various programs, from simple utilities to complex graphical user interfaces, throughout time.
Salient Features
Here are some of the salient features of GAMBAS:
BASIC-like Syntax:
GAMBAS uses a BASIC-like syntax, making it accessible to developers familiar with BASIC or Visual Basic. This simplicity makes it an excellent choice for beginners and those transitioning from other BASIC dialects.
Integrated Development Environment (IDE):
GAMBAS includes a comprehensive IDE that offers features like code editor, debugger, form designer, and project management tools. This IDE streamlines the development process, making creating, testing, and debugging applications easy.
G.U.I. Development:
GAMBAS specializes in G.U.I. application development. It provides a visual form designer that allows developers to create user interfaces by dragging and dropping elements onto forms. This makes it straightforward to build interactive desktop applications.
Event-Driven Programming:
Like Visual Basic, GAMBAS follows an event-driven programming model. Developers can define event handlers for various user interactions, such as button clicks, mouse movements, or keyboard input, making it easy to respond to user actions.
Database Connectivity:
GAMBAS has built-in database support, enabling developers to connect to databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, and more. It provides a simple interface for querying and manipulating databases within applications.
Cross-Platform:
While GAMBAS is primarily associated with Linux, it is possible to create cross-platform applications using the tool. You can adapt GAMBAS applications to run on Windows and macOS with some additional effort.
Extensive Libraries:
GAMBAS has a library of components and controls that can be used to build diverse types of applications. These components cover a wide range of functionality, from basic input forms to more advanced features like charting and multimedia playback.
Community and Support:
GAMBAS has an active and supportive user community, which provides resources, tutorials, and assistance for developers. The availability of community-contributed modules and extensions also enhances its functionality.
Open Source: GAMBAS is released under an open-source license, which means it is free to use and can be modified and distributed by developers. This fosters a collaborative environment for software development.
Scripting and Automation:
Beyond desktop applications, GAMBAS can be used for scripting and automating tasks on the Linux platform, offering a convenient way to create custom scripts and utilities.
In summary, GAMBAS is a user-friendly, open-source programming language and development environment tailored for creating desktop G.U.I. applications in Linux. It is a good choice for both beginner and experienced developers to create graphical apps in the Linux ecosystem due to its simplicity, based on events approach, and extensive IDE.
F.A.Q.s
Q. Is Gambas suitable for beginners?
Gambas is beginner-friendly, thanks to its simple syntax and extensive documentation.
Q. Can I develop cross-platform applications with Gambas?
Absolutely! Gambas supports multiple platforms, making cross-platform development a breeze.
Q. Is Gambas limited to G.U.I. applications?
No, while Gambas excels in G.U.I. development, it can also be used to create console applications.
Q. Are there any notable projects built with Gambas?
Gambas has been used in various projects, including point-of-sale systems and data analysis tools.
Q. Where can I find Gamba’s tutorials and support?
You can find Gambas tutorials and seek support from the Gambas community through their official website and forums.
