# wxBasic > a free software based on syntax for novice programmers **Wikidata**: [Q362361](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q362361) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WxBasic) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wxbasic ## Summary wxBasic is a free, cross-platform BASIC programming language interpreter designed for novice programmers, built on the wxWidgets GUI framework to enable graphical application development. First published in 2002, it is distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License and runs on Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS operating systems. The software aims to provide an accessible entry point for beginners learning programming concepts while offering the capability to create windowed applications. ## Key Facts - **Name**: wxBasic - **License**: GNU Lesser General Public License - **Current Version**: 3.0.5.50 (released December 14, 2021) - **Initial Publication**: 2002 - **Platform**: Cross-platform (Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS) - **GUI Framework**: wxWidgets - **Wikipedia Titles**: de, en, fr, pt - **SourceForge Project**: wxbasic - **Freebase ID**: /m/03b2t9 - **Copyright Status**: Copyrighted - **Sitelink Count**: 4 - **Website**: https://www.wxbasic.net - **Classification**: Software library, free software, interpreter, programming language ## FAQs **What type of software is wxBasic?** wxBasic is a free, open-source BASIC programming language interpreter that allows users to write and run programs using BASIC syntax, with built-in support for creating graphical user interface applications through the wxWidgets framework. **What operating systems does wxBasic support?** wxBasic is cross-platform and runs on Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS, making it accessible to users regardless of their preferred operating system. **Who created wxBasic?** wxBasic is associated with SdlBasic as a related project, though specific individual creators are not detailed in the available source material. **What license governs wxBasic's use?** wxBasic is distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), which permits free use, modification, and distribution of the software. **What version of wxBasic is currently available?** The latest stable version is 3.0.5.50, released on December 14, 2021. **What makes wxBasic different from other BASIC implementations?** wxBasic is specifically designed for novice programmers and includes native support for wxWidgets, enabling beginners to create graphical windowed applications rather than just console-based programs. ## Why It Matters wxBasic serves an important role in programming education by providing a bridge between beginner-friendly BASIC syntax and real-world application development. Unlike traditional BASIC interpreters that typically produce console-only output, wxBasic's integration with wxWidgets allows new programmers to create functional graphical applications from the earliest stages of their learning journey. This practical approach to teaching programming helps maintain student engagement by immediately showing tangible results rather than abstract concepts. The software's cross-platform nature and free distribution under the LGPL make it accessible to educational institutions, hobbyists, and developers working in environments where cost considerations are important. By maintaining compatibility with the wxWidgets framework, wxBasic programs can be deployed across multiple operating systems without code modifications, teaching valuable cross-platform development concepts. The project's continued development, evidenced by the 2021 version 3.0.5.50 release, demonstrates ongoing support for this educational tool. The availability of documentation in multiple languages (German, English, French, and Portuguese) further extends its reach to non-English speaking programming learners worldwide. ## Notable For - First published in 2002, making it one of the longer-standing free BASIC implementations - Integration with wxWidgets GUI framework for graphical application development - Cross-platform compatibility across Windows, Linux, and macOS from a single codebase - Active development maintained with version 3.0.5.50 released in December 2021 - Available in four Wikipedia language editions (German, English, French, Portuguese) - Hosted on SourceForge with the project identifier "wxbasic" - Freebase identification as /m/03b2t9 indicating historical cataloging in major knowledge graphs ## Body ### History and Development wxBasic was first published in 2002 as an attempt to provide novice programmers with a modern, accessible programming environment. The project emerged during a period when graphical user interfaces were becoming increasingly important in personal computing, distinguishing itself from console-based BASIC interpreters of the era. The development philosophy centered on lowering the barrier to entry for programming while still producing useful, tangible results. The project is hosted on SourceForge under the identifier "wxbasic," a platform that has historically served as a central hub for open-source software development and distribution. This association with SourceForge places wxBasic within a community of well-established free software projects. ### Technical Architecture wxBasic operates as an interpreter, executing BASIC source code directly without requiring compilation into machine code. This interpretation approach aligns with its educational focus, as interpreters typically provide more immediate feedback and simpler execution models that benefit learners. The software's integration with wxWidgets is a defining technical characteristic. wxWidgets is a mature, cross-platform GUI toolkit that provides consistent abstract interfaces for creating graphical applications across different operating systems. By leveraging wxWidgets, wxBasic programs can create windows, buttons, menus, and other GUI elements using straightforward BASIC syntax, abstracting away the complex underlying API calls that would otherwise be required. The current stable release, version 3.0.5.50, was issued on December 14, 2021, demonstrating that the project remains under active maintenance despite its maturity. This version represents accumulated improvements and bug fixes over the project's nearly two-decade history. ### Licensing and Distribution wxBasic is distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), a permissive free software license that allows users to freely run, study, modify, and distribute the software and its modified versions. The LGPL specifically permits linking the licensed software with proprietary applications, providing flexibility for developers who might want to incorporate wxBasic components into larger projects. The copyright status is noted as "copyrighted," which is standard for software distributed under the LGPL—the license does not place works in the public domain but rather governs the terms under which the copyrighted work may be used and distributed. ### Platform Support The software supports three major operating system families: Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS. This cross-platform capability is achieved through the wxWidgets abstraction layer, which handles the differences between operating system APIs, allowing developers to write wxBasic programs that run identically on all supported platforms without modification. The cross-platform nature is particularly valuable for educational contexts, as students may use different operating systems at home or in computer labs, and instructors can provide consistent experiences regardless of the underlying platform. ### Community and Documentation wxBasic maintains a multilingual presence through Wikipedia articles in German, English, French, and Portuguese. This multilingual documentation base indicates international interest in the project and helps make the software accessible to non-English speaking programming learners. The official website at https://www.wxbasic.net serves as the primary resource for downloading the software, accessing documentation, and learning about wxBasic's capabilities. Additional documentation references indicate the existence of German-language resources, with a 2022 citation from a German wxBasic information page. ### Relationship to Related Projects wxBasic is related to SdlBasic, another BASIC implementation that shares similar educational and accessibility goals. While the exact nature of the relationship is not detailed in the source material, the association suggests shared development philosophy or perhaps common origins within the free BASIC implementation community. The project's classification encompasses multiple categories: it functions as a software library (providing reusable code components), as free software (meeting the definition of software distributed under free terms), as an interpreter (executing code at runtime rather than compiling), and as a programming language (providing syntax and semantics for writing programs). ### Knowledge Graph Integration wxBasic has been cataloged in major knowledge organization systems, including Wikidata, where it carries the description "a free software based on syntax for novice programmers." The assignment of a Freebase identifier (/m/03b2t9) indicates historical inclusion in that now-deprecated but influential knowledge graph, which influenced the development of Google's Knowledge Graph. The sitelink count of 4 corresponds to the Wikipedia articles in the four languages where the project has dedicated pages. ## References 1. [Source](http://wxbasic.sourceforge.net/) 2. [wxBasic Programming Language. 2006](https://wxbasic.sourceforge.net/index.php) 3. [Welcome to wxBasic](https://www.wxbasic.net/home) 4. [Download](https://www.wxbasic.net/downloads) 5. [Was ist denn nun eigentlich wxBasic?](https://www.wxbasic.de/was-ist-wxbasic.html) 6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 7. [Basic Programming Language for wxWidgets](https://www.wxbasic.net)