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Ask the Wizard Questions

BASIC Language: Upward compatibility

The Question is: 


I need to be able to run BASIC programs compiled under
VMS v5.x to run under v6.x without having to re-compile.
Is this possible?

I am running a MicroVAX 3196 and VMS v5.5-2H4 and want
to upgrade to VMS v6.x.  We have a HUGE amount of BASIC
programs that work just fine at our current version.  My
question is will they run as is under VMS v6.x?  Some have
told me, "Just do a re-compile and you will have no
problems."  I don't debate that.  They will probably run
just fine if re-compiled.  It's just that there are
TONS of programs that would need re-compiling, and this
could possibly prevent us from upgrading.

Oh, one more thing:  Many of these programs were moved
from a VMS v4.x environment, and they run just fine under
v5.x.  The balance were compiled under v5.x.

The Answer is: 

    They should run fine without recompiling or relinking.  VMS provides
    upward compatibility for linked images that don't use privileged or
    undocumented interfaces.