Hi, Just trying to help out.

History is sometimes a good lesson.

Even though it looks like mELabs has a "bait and switch" reason to have two compilers for PICBASIC.

People coming to PICBasic Compiler from a BASIC language background would surely suspect a deliberate withholding of features.

People who have watched the PIC Microchip family evolve, see a different reason.

My interpretation of history lived:
-------------
BASIC Stamp I (PIC Microchip on board)
http://www.parallax.com/

Parallax, Inc "1992 - Original BASIC Stamp 1 Rev. D released in through-hole format on PCB with prototype space and battery clip."


BASIC Stamps are made with PIC Microchip microcontrollers (PICs).

Some of the peripheral devices, allow the BASIC Stamp (Stamp) to do very useful things. These same useful things, can be done by a PIC with similar devices, added (if these functions are needed).

Other peripheral devices, built into the BASIC Stamp allow it to "translate" BASIC typed into a PC and fed into the Stamp. The Stamp carries it's translator with it and this translation slows it down. The PIC, inside the stamp, takes each piece of code (token) and changes the BASIC token to PIC language. This is very nice because PIC code is a bear to learn. But slow.

Then:
Along comes microEngineering Labs, Inc. and a PC program that "compiles" BASIC to PIC code, INSIDE the PC! Then it is squirted into the PIC. Then the PIC has native PIC code and can run 10 times faster. This frees up a LOT of space reserved for the translator.

BASIC Stamp 1 and PICBASIC™ Compiler
-------
http://www.crownhill.co.uk/product.php?prod=18
Crownhill Associates Ltd.
The PicBasic Compiler instruction set is compatible with the Parallax BASIC Stamp I. BS1 programs can be compiled into PICmicro MCU code and programmed directly into a PICmicro MCU, eliminating the need for a BASIC Stamp module. These programs execute much faster and may be longer than their Stamp equivalents. They may also be protected so no one can copy your code. Other benefits include substantial cost savings over a BASIC Stamp.

----------
microEngineering Labs, Inc.
http://www.melabs.com/

standard PICBASIC™ Compiler (First page, see the introduction.)
http://www.melabs.com/resources/pbcmanual/

PBC also allows programs written for the original BASIC Stamp I to be compiled for direct execution on members of the PIC16Cxxx family of microcontrollers.

---------------

Then BASIC Stamp 2:
Parallax, Inc.
http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/c...ry/history.asp
"1995 - BASIC Stamp 2 module is released amid much excitement and long-standing backorders around the world."
------------
microEngineering Labs, Inc.
http://www.melabs.com/

PICBASIC PRO™ (First page)
http://www.melabs.com/resources/pbpmanual/
1. Introduction

The PICBASIC PRO™ Compiler (or PBP) is our next-generation programming language that makes it even quicker and easier for you to program Microchip Technology=s powerful PICmicro microcontrollers. The English-like BASIC language is much easier to read and write than the quirky Microchip assembly language.

The PICBASIC PRO™ Compiler is a BASIC Stamp II like@ and has most of the libraries and functions of both the BASIC Stamp I and II. Being a true compiler, programs execute much faster and may be longer than their Stamp equivalents.

PBP is not quite as compatible with the BASIC Stamps as our original PicBasic Compiler is with the BS1. Decisions were made that we hope improve the language overall. One of these was to add a real IF..THEN..ELSE..ENDIF instead of the IF..THEN(GOTO) of the Stamps. These differences are spelled out later in this manual.

++++++++++++++++++
My view:
After Parallax released the BASIC Stamp II they did not go back and improve the on board interpreter enough to change the BASIC Stamp I code.

All of these things, are referred to on the web sites and in the manuals. But, it would be easy to miss if you don't really know where the names of the products came from.
The BASIC in the PICBASIC Compiler name is referencing the BASIC Stamp I (PIC Microchip on board).

I am just happy to get a real IF..THEN..ELSE..ENDIF in PicBASIC Pro!
-Adam-