Article # 80, added by Geoworks, historical record
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The GEOS SDK versus IZL (Interpreted Zoomer Language)
IZL is a scripting language, originally designed for the Zoomer and expanded somewhat for the OmniGo 100. IZL applications can be used on the Zoomer, the OmniGo 100, and with the GEOS desktop software. In difficulty, IZL is somewhat like using the old, familiar BASIC programming language (QBASIC or GWBASIC are included with MS DOS -- that BASIC language). IZL is not the same or similar to BASIC in its syntax, but the programming skill and experience level required to use it are about the same. IZL is an interpreted language, which means that the IZL runtime interpreter must be running in order to use a program written in the IZL language. The interpreter is the runtime application that is available for download on CompuServe or America Online or from Feras Technologies' site on the World Wide Web. There are lots of sample IZL applications also available online. The IZL compiler is a commercial package available from Feras Technologies. IZL allows the programmer to use a subset of the objects and features in GEOS, like buttons, text entry fields, etc. You can also use any of the 99 GEOS spreadsheet functions in your application, for example. The newer version of IZL provides access to the serial port routines, too. Beyond that, IZL provides the basics of programming logic which can be used to combine those GEOS features into an application. By contrast, the GEOS SDK is a full-featured, professional development environment. Applications developed with the SDK do not require a runtime interpreter. The SDK compiles them into GEOS executables. IZL itself was created by a programmer using the SDK, for example. The SDK can be used to create applications or libraries or even drivers for GEOS. SDK-created applications can make use of all the features and objects in GEOS, plus new objects coded in C or Assembly by the programmer. The SDK was designed for an experienced C language programmer.