From personal experience, there is no such thing as free.Psychophanta wrote:What is the best free basic compiler for linux and windows?
In this case, the amount of time and effort it would take to install and set up the environments, just to get started on any of the free compilers, is simply going to be frustrating. Then, support and documentation are almost non-existent, having to depend solely on lethargic communities, kept alive by a handful of enthusiasts who are often programming novices themselves. And good luck with bug fixes.
The eighty bucks that you invest in PureBasic, for a lifetime license, on three desktop platforms, each with their own IDE and form designer, is truly pennies on the pound, virtually free in itself. It literally works out of the box, with built-in and online documentation, chock-full of easy-to-follow examples, and has been supported by its diligent and responsive team of developers for over twenty years now. Plus, it boasts a very active and supportive forum community.
Clearly, a no-brainer!