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MickGyver edited this page Feb 19, 2026 · 14 revisions

Welcome to the VS Code extension for developing Blitz Basic 2 games and programs for the Amiga!

This extension adds language support for the Amiga version of Blitz Basic 2 (and Amiblitz) with limited syntax highlighting support. Big thanks to Youen Chéné who has made a lot of improvements to this extension, including converting the external tools to javascript!

Compatibility

All operating systems that can run both VS Code and UAE (FS-UAE or WinUAE).

PLEASE NOTE for version 0.11.0 and onward! The build tools that were automatically copied every time to Amiga OS as part of the build process, now need to be copied once* from the command BB2: Copy build tools to Amiga OS / UAE. You can run this command by pressing Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+P and then if you write BB2 you should see the command and can then run it.

*) Once per Blitz Type (BB2/AB3) and again when build tools get updated in the extension or you change your UAE/Amiga OS setup. I will mention in the changelog if an update is needed.

Getting Started

  1. Please process to the Setting up UAE or Setting up a Real Amiga to setup UAE and Amiga OS.

  2. Add a source file with the extension .bba (Blitz Basic Ascii), it's where you will write your Blitz Basic code.

  3. Code and enjoy the inline help and snippets.

  4. Have UAE and Amiga OS open. Note: UAE can also be launched automatically if you enter a full command line to UAE in the extension settings (see below).

  5. When you execture the shortcut to run on UAE (Cmd-F6or Ctrl-F6), VS Code will :

    • write a copy of your file with the extension .bb2 (so TED don't mess up your original .bba file)
    • copy all necessary files for Amiga OS,
    • launch the AREXX script to launch TED/Blitz Basic 2 and then compile and run your code automatically.
    • sometimes the process can fail, just retry the shortcut, sometimes you need to reboot your Amiga OS.

  6. Enjoy coding in Blitz Basic 2 in a modern way!

  7. Once you've generate an executable, you can now add a packaging.json file and hit Cmd-F3or Ctrl-F3 to generate an ADF. The ADF is generated and available in the build folder.

Known Issues

Syntax highlighting is limited.

Run on real Amiga is not implemented and tested yet in this version.

Random couldn't open file error on Ted/Blitz2. (You can try an older version of UAE, personally I had these errors in WinUAE 6.0 but for version 4.4 it works perfectly). You can also try these settings for the serial port in Amiga OS (Prefs / Serial):

Baud Rate:         31250
Input Buffer Size: 512
Handshaking:       XON/XOFF
Parity:            None
Bits/Char:         8
Stop bits:         1

Contact the contributors

@MickGyver

@youen_chene

Release Notes

0.12.0

  • Initial Real Amiga build support.
  • Automatic compiler options bug fixed.

0.11.0

  • Build tools for Amiga OS needs to be copied (once per shared folder / Blitz type) using a command (Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+P) instead of automatically being copied at every build process.
  • Option to set compiler options automatically as part of the build process (BB2).
  • UAE is brought to focus at compile/run (some actions are needed to get this to work on Linux). This implementation is based on amishell.
  • Fixed some bugs that could cause the 'outline' and 'go to symbol' functions to fail.
  • The line 'serial_translate=crlf_cr' in the WinUAE configuration file should not be needed any more, but it being there doesn't hurt.
  • Node.js dependencies updated to remove vulnerabilities.
  • Extension settings are now grouped.

0.10.0

  • [Experimental] AmiBlitz 3.x support (through ARexx, command line support might be added later)
  • Fixed bug that broke commands in version 0.9.5

0.9.5

  • Option to launch UAE automatically. You need to give a full command line for launching UAE in the extension settings. See above for details.

0.9.1

  • Fixes for Windows compatibility

0.9.0

  • Zip packaging for HD Installation

0.8.0

  • [Experimental] CDTV and CD32 Packaging
  • Fix to avoid cannot Open File in BB2 Editor.

0.7.0

  • ADF Packaging

0.6.0

  • Blitz Basic 2 Label, NewType, Statement, Function and Macro are now showing up in the Outline view and Go to Symbol..

0.5.0

  • New keybindings

0.4.0

  • Manage projet with multiple .bba files and includes.

0.3.3

  • Save document on run UAE.

0.3.2

  • Documentation

0.3.0

  • Extension Settings: shared folder volume name in AmigaOS.
  • Extension Settings: UAE serial port for direct connection.
  • blitzbasic2.rexx and BB2NagAway integrated in extension and copied automatically in AmigaOS.

0.2.0

  • Integrated help documentation (Hover Mode) - No external tool dependencies.
  • Launch bb2 compilation through arexx using native javascript - No external tool dependencies.

0.1.0

  • Initial alpha release

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