GCBASIC Files

*Introduction*

GCBASIC can be used when using the Linux operating system.

This instructions are not distribution specific, but are for Linux only (not Windows).

*Instructions*

Complete the following steps to compile and install GCBASIC for Linux:

1. Install FreeBasic from your distributions repository or http://www.freebasic.net/wiki/CompilerInstalling
   If your Distribution eg. Debian are not provide Freebasic download it first from https://sourceforge.net/projects/fbc/
   and follow the instructions for compiling and installing Freebasic 

2. Download the "GCBasic - Sources" from SourceForge at https://sourceforge.net/projects/gcbasic/files/GCBasic%20-%20Linux%20Distribution/
    a) download the "GCBASIC.rar"
    b) password to unarchive/unrar is:  GCB

3. Unrar/unpack GCBASIC.rar to a location of your choice within your home directory (eg. within Downloads) with either a file manager or from a console.
   (for example in console) unrar x GCBASIC.rar
    Using file manager you can right click on GCBASIC.rar and open the Archive manager and choose the destination directory there.  
    This destination directory (GreatCowBASIC) will be where you have access to the demo file directory and others. This directory is where 
    I put my GCB developement files.  Yes, another copy of these files will be in the /opt/GCBASIC directory but you need root access to operate there.  


4. From a console, change to the GCBASIC Sources in the unpacked directory:
   eg. cd ~/Downloads/GreatCowBASIC/sources
   
    Now You are using the console (aka 'terminal'), that window with a blinking cursor.
    two commands you need  to move around in the directory tree are:  cd (change directory)   and ls  (list the files)
    cd ..                 moves up one level in the directory tree
    cd GreatCowBASIC      drills down to GreatCowBASIC dir
    cd Gre*               drills down to GreatCowBASIC dir if you are too lazy to type all that  or there are long dir names
                          Just enough of the name of the directory to make it unique.
    ls                    List the files and sub directories in this directory
    keyboard arrow up will go through your previous commands you have run  so you don't need to retype something you already did type

    Drill your way down to /GreatCowBASIC/sources
    cd linuxbuild               now  /GreatCowBASIC/sources/linuxbuild
    This is where these instructions hide out!   Chicken and egg paradox
    
    make the install.sh script executable using either the file browser(properties/permissions/allow executing file as program)
     OR set as executable (ie. 'chmod +x install.sh') here in console

5. You need to use the install.sh twice.  First to build the executable "gcbasic" using the fbc you intalled earlier by executing:

     ./install.sh build

    do not take off the './'  because that points to the previous directory
     

6. You'll need root privileges for the next step. You can switch user (su) to root, or optionally use 'sudo'.
 
7. Do you have an old Installation of GCBasic?
   If so, it would be wise to mv it away, Execute:

    sudo  mv /opt/GCBASIC /opt/GCBASIC_old

    Note that this is the directory(/opt/GCBASIC) that linux will execute gcbasic from and have all the resources it needs.
    You can run gcbasic from anywhere after it is installed in the next install step

   
   Execute: [sudo] pwd  (it should still show the path like it was in Step 4.)(/GreatCowBASIC/sources/linuxbuild)
    Need to be in the correct directory.
   
   Now you are ready fo Install

   sudo ./install.sh install

    do not take off the './'  because that points to the previous directory.

8. If you su'd to root, use 'exit' to drop back to your normal user. Then, be sure to follow the instructions given by the script for updating your path.

9. Confirm proper execution, and the version, of GCBASIC by executing from console:
    
   gcbasic /version 

   The output will look like this:  0.99.01 2022-01-27 (Linux 64 bit) : Build 1073

   

Now you can create and compile GCB source files.


To program your microprocessor with your GCBASIC-created hex file, you'll need additional software.

For PIC programming, you might find what you need at:
http://www.microchip.com/DevelopmentTools/ProductDetails.aspx?PartNO=pg164120 
or
https://www.microchip.com/Developmenttools/ProductDetails/PG164130

For AVR programming, you'll need 'avrdude'. It should be available in your distributions repository. If not, check here: http://www.nongnu.org/avrdude/

Do not forget to look into the folder /opt/GCBASIC/documentation/