INTRODUCTION

PROFAN is a batch language and a complete programming language in one! PROFAN version
3.0 or higher is also a data base developing system. PROFAN contains both: Interpreter 
and a fast compiler! 

Of course, there are batch programming languages under Windows like "WinBatch" and "Oriel". 
"WinBatch" is a very powerful language, but practically without any graphic processing 
ability. "WinBatch" by "WilsonWare" (USA) is available as shareware or as a complete version 
as part of Norton Desktop for Windows (under a different name). "Oriel" has various graphic 
commands but limited other commands. There is no possibility for input and you cannot read 
files from a hard drive or disk. 
Neither language includes a compiler. Applications can only be used if the user 
is the registered owner of the language package. Purchasing a separate compiler can 
cost around US$ 400! 

Goals for PROFAN: 

* Simple syntax, also for beginners, based on BASIC 
* Includes all graphic options provided by "Oriel"... and more 
* Various file and management functionalities 
* Complete application size is smaller than 200 kB, no other DLLs 
or other files. 
* Ability to pass on applications without additional costs. 

The latest version is "PROFAN 3.3". PROFAN 3.3 is a complete programming language. 
The beginner will find many familiar BASIC commands like: 
PRINT, LOCATE, CLS, INPUT, GOTO, GOSUB, RETURN, IF, WHILE, WEND,
SOUND, PRINT #n, INPUT #n, END, LET, ... 

Also the variables and constants are handled in most cases similar to BASIC. 

We adapted the concept of PASCAL for file operations: 
ASSIGN, RESET, REWRITE, APPEND, RENAME, ERASE, CLOSE, ... 
Use COPY to copy files and CHDIR, MKDIR and RMDIR to manage your directories.
Special functions provide information about the current drive, path and more. 
In addition you will find WINDOWS specific tools like menus, list boxes, input boxes, 
load and save dialogs and much more. 

The biggest advantage are of course the extensive graphical commands that access 
directly the Windows graphical core: USEBRUSH, USEFONT, USEPEN, USEICON,
COPYBMP, RECTANGLE, ROUNDRECT, ELLIPSE, ARC, PIE, DRAWTEXT, ... 
Use LOADBMP and SAVEBMP to load, edit and save bitmap graphics. 

Another addition was necessary with Windows 3.1:
Triggering all multi-media devices and playback of WAV sound files with the sound card. 
Playback of music CD's is no problem as well as playing background music/sound 
for games or playback of Microsofts Video for Windows: MCISEND, PLAYSOUND, ... 

PROFAN version 3.0 or higher supports user defined dialogs and various database 
functions for reading and editing DBase III compatible databases. It is possible 
to control "foreign" windows and to send messages and keyboard codes. 
Some new commands and an option for linking allows you to easily program 
screen savers that can be integrated in the Windows desktop. 

The experienced user will probably not use the text- oriented commands of BASIC 
for soft copies but the new and powerful Windows commands. 

Structured programming is possible because only one command is allowed for each 
line and various control structures are available:
IF ... ELSEIF ... ELSE ... ENDIF, CASE, WHILE ... WEND, GOSUB ... RETURN. 
Use PROC ... ENDPROC to define procedures (like in PASCAL) and DEF to define 
new functions. Procedures and Functions have local variables. Indents and empty 
lines are valid. 

The compiler in PROFAN can create a very compact intercode that can be started with 
a Runtime Module. We increased the performance speed of compiled programs for 
version 3.0. The linker is the last important part of the complete programming language 
that links Runtime Module and intercode to a independent EXE file or screen saver. 
And because the Runtime Module is only a little bigger than 170 kB Windows applications 
below 200 kB are possible. A finished PROFAN application can still function as 
Runtime Module for more intercode files and since it is possible to transfer parameter, 
modularized programming is no problem. The most valuable part is the development 
environment PROFED that was again enhanced for this version: font selection, 
project management and display of current line number...

And here the famous "Hello World" program in Profan: 

  Print "Hello World" 
  WaitKey 
  End 

That's all! The "WaitKey" gives you the time to watch the result-- 
A complete program in a Windows screen, a complete Windows application. 
To exit the program use the keyboard or the corresponding windows function.

The combination of interpreter and compiler gives you a very interesting 
advantage. You develop and test the program in interpreter mode. When you are 
finished use the compiler for the necessary drive! We recommend compiling only 
a tested program, because the elapsed time error message usually provides less 
information than the interpreter. 
