benstopics

benstopics / powerbasilisk

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An open-source 64-bit PowerBasic compiler written in Rust targeting LLVM

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100% credibility
Found Feb 22, 2026 at 11 stars -- GitGems finds repos before they trend. Get early access to the next one.
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AI Analysis
Rust
AI Summary

PowerBasilisk compiles legacy PowerBASIC 9.x programs into modern native executables for Windows, macOS, and Linux using an interpreter for testing.

How It Works

1
🔍 Discover PowerBasilisk

You hear about a free tool that brings your old PowerBASIC programs back to life on today's computers.

2
📥 Grab the ready program

Download the simple program file for your computer—no setup needed, just unzip and go.

3
📝 Pick your old file

Choose the .bas file from your treasured PowerBASIC project that you want to update.

4
⚡ Update it instantly

Run the tool on your file and watch it create a brand new version that works everywhere.

5
🚀 Run your revived program

Double-click the new file and see your old creation running smoothly on your modern machine.

🎉 Your legacy lives on

Relive the joy of your program, now fast and ready for Windows, Mac, or Linux—preserved forever.

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Star Growth

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AI-Generated Review

What is powerbasilisk?

PowerBasilisk is an open-source 64-bit PowerBASIC compiler written in Rust, targeting LLVM to revive abandoned PB 9.x codebases. It processes .bas files through preprocess, lex, parse, and codegen stages, outputting plain text LLVM IR that clang turns into native exes, DLLs, or objects for Windows, macOS, or Linux. Developers get CLI tools like `pbcompiler build hello.bas --exe --target x86_64-pc-windows-msvc` plus a lightweight interpreter for instant testing.

Why is it gaining traction?

In a sea of github open source tools, it stands out by handling 180k-line real-world apps that rewrites in C++/Rust failed, thanks to a zero-dependency frontend and inspectable IR. Prebuilt binaries across platforms skip Rust setup, and features like session structs for FFI or debug crash handlers make legacy ports reliable. It's a practical open source github copilot alternative for BASIC diehards eyeing 64-bit without full rewrites.

Who should use this?

PowerBASIC holdouts maintaining 32-bit Windows apps needing 64-bit for open source software for windows 10 64 bit. Financial sim or business tool devs with decades-old .bas files, like Wall Street Raider ports. Teams evaluating self-hosted compilers over proprietary tools for quick native builds.

Verdict

Worth a spin for PB migration—comprehensive tests cover loops, strings, DLLs, and file I/O, with welcoming contrib via code samples. At 10 stars and 1.0% credibility, it's early and niche-focused, but robust docs and cross-platform binaries make it viable now.

(198 words)

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