Learn GAMBAS with Real Code Examples

Gambas extends BASIC with object-oriented features and a rich set of libraries.

It includes an integrated development environment (IDE) with a form designer, debugger, and code editor.

Gambas supports GUI applications, database integration, networking, and multimedia on Linux desktops.

BASIC-like syntax with modern enhancements

Classes, modules, and objects

Signals and slots for event-driven programming

Automatic memory management

Integrated debugger and GUI designer

Variables and basic data types (Integer, String, Boolean, Array)

Subroutines and functions

Classes, modules, and objects

Event handling with signals and slots

Database connections and queries

Forms/ - GUI form files

Classes/ - object-oriented code

Modules/ - reusable code modules

Resources/ - images, icons, and data files

Config/ - project settings and metadata

Design forms using the visual designer

Implement event-driven code for GUI components

Organize code into modules and classes

Connect to databases if needed

Debug and run applications via the IDE

Beginner: console-based Gambas programs

Intermediate: GUI applications with basic database integration

Advanced: large desktop applications with multiple modules

Expert: complex event-driven and multimedia applications

Enterprise: Linux-only productivity tools and utilities

Similar in syntax to Visual Basic

Slower than compiled languages like C++

Smaller ecosystem than Python or Java

Best suited for Linux desktops rather than cross-platform apps

Offers rapid development with a full IDE

1999 – Initial creation by Benoît Minisini

2000s – Added GUI and object-oriented features

2005 – Gambas 2 major release with improved IDE

2010s – Gambas 3 introduced modern libraries and database support

2025 – Active development with Gambas 3.x series on Linux

Form: GUI window in Gambas

Module: reusable code container

Class: object-oriented structure

Signal: event trigger

Slot: method responding to a signal