What Is SiMPLE?

(SiMPLE works under Windows 95/98/Me/2000/Xp/Vista)

SiMPLE CodeWorks Inc. introduces SiMPLE, a Free beginner-friendly programming language for kids (and adults) who are looking for a new way to have fun with their computers.

Click here to read about SiMPLE in Wikipedia

Back in "the old days" (before Windows was around), there was a little computer called the "Apple-][". One of the nice features about the Apple-][ was that it came with an easy-to-use programming language called "Applesoft BASIC" which allowed anyone to write their own software. Unfortunately, the Apple-][ and its philosophy that "users should be allowed to create their own software" have virtually faded away... until now! SiMPLE is the reincarnation of that original philosophy. (Click here to read more.)

SiMPLE comes in two slightly different "flavors" -- "Pro-SiMPLE" (an older version which runs in the DOS environment), and "Ultra-SiMPLE" (a newer version which runs in the Windows environment). When you download SiMPLE, you automatically get both "flavors" to play with. Collectively, these two versions of SiMPLE are sometimes referred to as "The Pro-SiMPLE Combo" (or just "The SiMPLE Combo" ).

What Does a SiMPLE Program Look Like?

A SiMPLE program is merely a text file containing a set of instructions that tell your computer what you want it to do. (This text file is usually referred to as a "source listing".)

Before we look at an example of a SiMPLE program, let's first take a look at the famous "Hello World" program that almost all beginning C++ programmers write as their very first program:

#include <iostream.h> int main () { cout << "Hello World!" << endl; return 0; }

Now let's see what this very same program would look like if it were written in SiMPLE:

Display "Hello World!"

Yes, that single line would be the entire program! (Perhaps you can now begin to understand why we call our programming language "SiMPLE".)

But let's take a peek at a somewhat more interesting and less trivial example. Below, you see a Pro-SiMPLE program that launches a rocket through a field of twinkling stars. It then explodes the rocket when it hits a UFO at the top of the screen.* (Don't worry if you don't yet understand SiMPLE programming. Everything will become quite clear by the time you've finished reading the SiMPLE Tutorial.)

Source Listing

Pro-SiMPLE Do n = 240 To 25 Call stars @toys Call rocket (320, 2*n, -3) @toys Call ufo (295+n, 25, -8) @toys Call sound (300-n) Call delay (20) Loop n Call explode (320, 35) @toys Call quit

*( You wouldn't even want to see what it would take to write this exact same program in C++ ! )

How Do I Run a SiMPLE Program?

Both Pro-SiMPLE and Ultra-SiMPLE provide you with a choice of two ways in which you can run programs. The easiest (and most fun) way is to use the "Drag & Drop" capability. (Or, if you prefer a more traditional method, you can run programs in "Command-line" mode. Click here to see how.)

To run the above example program by using the "Drag & Drop" method, merely perform the following three steps:

Copy the source listing into the Windows Clipboard.

Use any text editor (such as Windows Notepad) to paste the Clipboard into a new text document.

Drop that text document onto the "Drop SiMPLE Listing Here" icon.

Now, isn't that easy? In fact, SiMPLE's "Drag & Drop" capability makes running a program as easy as "one-two-three":

1-Copy ... 2-Paste ... 3-Drop!

Ultra-SiMPLE

The second half of "The SiMPLE Combo" is Ultra-SiMPLE. The syntax of Ultra-SiMPLE is exactly the same as Pro-SiMPLE's. But because of its advanced features, Ultra-SiMPLE uses its own separate system library.

One of the most significant feature of Ultra-SiMPLE is its enhanced graphics capabilities. Pro-SiMPLE's graphics screen provides you with 640 x 480 resolution and only 16 colors. But with Ultra-SiMPLE you are able to generate displays with as much resolution as your computer's hardware allows, and in millions of colors if you so choose.

Not only can you make more awesome games, but you can use Ultra-SiMPLE to create professional-looking graphics displays, manipulate photographic images, produce special effects, and much more.

Another significant feature of Ultra-SiMPLE is that it provides access to your computer's multimedia capabilities. You are not limited to producing merely tiny "beeps" through the computer's built-in speaker (as you are with Pro-SiMPLE). Your programs can generate real sounds by playing wave files, midi files, etc. through your computer's sound card. (You can even incorporate movies into your programs!)

Perhaps the most significant feature of Ultra-SiMPLE is that it lets you easily create programs that can run either in full-screen mode or in a window. (Click here for more information about how to create a SiMPLE program that runs in a window.)

Click Here to Read Our SiMPLE Online Tutorial

SiMPLE provides you with hundreds of easy-to-use "software building blocks" (similar in concept to the little "snap-together" plastic blocks in a LEGO construction set), and with a set of built-in tutorials that show you how to use them. By using these pre-written software modules ("rocket" "ufo" "explode" etc.) computer programming can become a "snap" for just about anyone! And, as your programming abilities increase, you will discover that SiMPLE even lets you create your own new software building blocks. (For example, our SiMPAINT tool provides you with a fun and easy way of using your mouse to create your own new image modules that can be used with SiMPLE.)

Is SiMPLE only for kids? Definitely not! [We only say that it's "for kids" so that we don't scare away the adults! ] SiMPLE is not merely a "toy" or some watered down "scripting" language. It's a powerful software tool that everyone should know how to use.

SiMPLE is the "Volks-Language" of the twenty-first century! And it's Free!!

So, start unleashing your creativity! Create your own computer art, music programs, animations, sound effects, colorful screen-savers ... even your own computer games! With SiMPLE, there's almost no limit to what you can accomplish! And who knows ... you just might end up becoming the next "Bill Gates!" (Knowing how to write computer programs is how he got started!!!)

If you want to start creating your own computer programs,
just download your FREE copy of The SiMPLE Combo.

For more discussion about SiMPLE, visit
our Frequently Asked Questions page.

To look at more SiMPLE programs,
visit The SiMPLE Program Gallery.

To read a description of the entire SiMPLE language, click here.*
*(Note: This is a reference manual for experienced programmers. It is not a tutorial.)

To see how SiMPLE can be used to write C++ programs, click here.

For more SiMPLE fun, play Mr. Logic's "SiMPLE Riddle" game.