RUN - QB64Official/qb64 GitHub Wiki

RUN is a control flow statement that clears and restarts the program currently in memory or executes another specified program.

The multi-modular technique goes back to when QBasic and QuickBASIC had module size constraints. In QB64 it has been implemented so that that older code can still be compiled, though it is advisable to use single modules for a single project (not counting $INCLUDE libraries), for ease of sharing and also because the module size constraints no longer exist.

Syntax

RUN [{line_number | filespec$}] [command_parameter(s)]

Parameter(s)

line number specifies a line number in the main module code.
An optional filespec specifies a program to load into memory and run.
- BAS or EXE extensions are assumed to be the same as the calling module's extension, EXE or BAS (QBasic only).
- file names specs with other extensions must use the full filename. No extension requires a dot.
In QB64 command line parameters can follow the program file name and be read using the COMMAND$ function later.

Usage

The starting line number MUST be one used in the main module code, even if RUN is called from within a SUB or FUNCTION.
If no line number is given the currently loaded program runs from the first executable line.
In QB64 RUN can open any kind of executable program and provide case sensitive program specific parameters.
- Recommended practice to run external programs is to use SHELL.
RUN closes all open files and closes the invoking program module before the called program starts.
RUN resets the RANDOMIZE sequence to the starting RND function value.
Note: Calling RUN repeatedly may cause a stack leak in QB64 if it is called from within a SUB or FUNCTION. Avoid when possible.

Example(s)

Shows how RUN can reference multiple line numbers in the main module code. No line number executes first code line.


PRINT " A", " B", " C", " D"
10 A = 1
20 B = 2
30 C = 3
40 D = 4
50 PRINT A, B, C, D
60 IF A = 0 THEN 70 ELSE RUN 20    'RUN clears all values
70 IF B = 0 THEN 80 ELSE RUN 30
80 IF C = 0 THEN 90 ELSE RUN 40
90 IF D = 0 THEN 100 ELSE RUN 50
100 PRINT
INPUT "Do you want to quit?(Y/N)", quit$
IF UCASE$(quit$) = "Y" THEN END ELSE RUN  'RUN without line number executes at first code line