This new tutorial has had many updates added to it from the previous version, such as more commands and more in-depth detail of difficult to grasp subjects. The old tutorial was coded by hand by the author making updates and changes difficult at best. By utilizing Google Sites, changes, updates, and new content can be readily added when needed. Stay tuned for more lessons to be added in the very near future. Current lesson count is 21.

If you were using the old tutorial site you'll need to delete the old tutorial folder in your QB64 directory and download the new tutorial asset file. It's the same procedure as before, download the tutorial asset file and move the "tutorial" folder found in the ZIP file into your QB64 (or QB64PE) folder.

Recent Updates:

• 04/14/23 - Joystick and Game Pad commands added to Lesson 7.

• 04/18/23 - Lesson 21: Advanced Controller Input added.

• 04/26/23 - Added a controller library to Lesson 21. The library is also included in the tutorial asset file.

• 05/05/23 - Phil has updated his Recall game in the games list to version 2.

• 05/07/23 - A new feature has been added to QB64 Phoenix Edition 3.7.0 and later that allows code to be exported as HTML (web page code). Up to this point I had to post tutorial code as screen shots to preserve the formatting and color coding of the source code. All of the code in the tutorial is now text based thanks to the new QB64 3.7.0 export feature. This means you can now copy and paste code directly from the tutorial web pages.

• 05/17/23 - Added two games, Octogo and Goblin's Gold, to the games list.

• 06/01/23 - The controller library in Lesson 21 has been updated to version 1.10.

• 06/03/23 - Added the statement OPTION _EXPLICIT to Lesson 2.

• 06/07/23 - Added looping speed comparisons to Lesson 4 with example program in tutorial asset file.

• 06/14/23 - The QB64 Phoenix Edition developers just released version 3.8.0. Read about it here.

• 09/17/23 - Added the _DISPLAY and _AUTODISPLAY statements to Lesson 5.

• 09/20/23 - Added the _LIMIT statement to Lesson 5.

• 09/20/23 - Lesson 22: Hardware Acceleration added.

• 09/20/23 - The tutorial asset file has been updated to include the lesson 22 programs and assets.

What is QB64?

QB64 is a modern version of Microsoft's QuickBasic from the 1980's. It has the same familiar, albeit enhanced, integrated development environment (IDE) from the original version. QB64 is nearly 100% compatible with source code written in QuickBasic. That source code from 1988 will load, compile, and run just fine. Furthermore, QB64 has added hundreds of new powerful commands to take advantage of today's high-powered computer systems. Visit the QB64 Wiki for a listing of all the new features available.

Why QB64?

The simple answer; because it's fun and easy. QuickBasic (and QBasic that shipped with DOS) was a very popular programming language in the 80's and 90's because many early computers, such as the Commodore 64, The Texas Instruments TI99/4A, and the TRS-80 line of Radio Shack computers, used BASIC as their operating system. Because of this many early computer enthusiasts "cut their teeth" using BASIC and moving to Microsoft's QuickBasic was a simple way to write software since the familiarity with BASIC was already there. QuickBasic (and BASIC in general) fell out of favor when 32bit operating systems started to become the norm. The developers of QB64 remember QuickBasic's heyday with fond memories and want to pass that experience onto others while adding modern features for today's powerful computer systems. Will the next killer app be written in QB64? Probably not. So why QB64? It's a simple way to get introduced to programming while at the same time allowing you to write custom software quickly and easily. And who knows, YOU just might write the next killer app in QB64.  The skills you learn using QB64 and this tutorial are easily transferred to other programming languages as well.

Install QB64

The first thing you'll need to do is get QB64 installed on your computer system. If you already have QB64 installed you may want to upgrade to the latest version. You'll also need the tutorial asset file installed to take full advantage of this tutorial. Visit the Install QB64 page to get started.

Useful Links

Tutorial Asset File

The tutorial asset file will be updated from time to time to reflect changes made to the tutorial. You can download it here:

• Download Tutorial Asset File

Latest update: September 20th, 2023

QB64 Phoenix Edition Forum

The QB64 Phoenix Edition forum is your one-stop shop for all things QB64 related. Stop by, create an account, and join in the conversations. There are many QB64 users here that are more than willing to answer your programming questions. Remember, there are no stupid questions! We were all new to programming once.

• QB64 Phoenix Edition Forum

QB64 Phoenix Edition Wiki

The QB64 Phoenix Edition Wiki is your go to place for everything QB64 command related. You'll find helpful code snippets and command syntax to help you complete your game project.

• QB64 Phoenix Edition Wiki

Versions of QB64

In early 2022 the QB64 community decided to take a few different directions. The author of this tutorial chose to align with the Phoenix Edition version of QB64. The author is in no way stating that one version is any better than another. As new versions appear the links to them will appear below to give users a chance to check out their varying features.

• QB64 Phoenix Edition

• QB64.com

• QB64 Team (before the 2022 change - static at this point)

Getting Involved With The Tutorial

I welcome any comments, suggestions, and/or criticisms you may have about the tutorial. Please feel free to email me with improvements or suggestions that you may have (see the fine print below for my email address). I welcome help in the following areas:

• You want to write a tutorial lesson on a topic that you have useful knowledge you wish to share with users.

• You have found and wish to report errors in the subject matter or source code listings. I really appreciate the help I have already received in this area.

• You have an idea for an advanced tutorial lesson in a subject area I'm not well versed in (3D graphics, OpenGL, etc..) but don't want to write the lesson yourself. I'm more than willing to learn from your examples and guidance and write a lesson based around your knowledge and expertise.

• You have written a game in QB64 and wish to have it included in the games section. You will need to allow users access to your source code however as pre-compiled .EXE files will not be accepted.