This is an absolutely amazing app! I was using another one to do my sprite routines with, and it was SLOW.....no, you dont understand, it was REALLY SLOW! But with this app, the TileMap routine is simply amazing!

I only have one complaint so far.

That would be that the first function, as of v0.602b, is broken. Its the one that draws a single sprite and a designated location. Even the demo app that comes in the zip crashes with a syntax error at the exact same function.

Hopefully this last issue gets resolved! Other than that, VERY NICE WORK!

However, one thing that I noticed is that it creates issues when Mirage OS is even on the calculator at the same time, and when it is frequently used even to run games that don't use xLib. Ever since I got xLib on my calculator, it has been turning off randomly, sometimes getting to the point that I had to remove the batteries and put them back in again. I even had to restore the TI-OS in order to set things back in order.

"xLib", simply stated, should have come built into the calculator. It is that good. My programs can actually display awesome, not just good, graphics. "xLib" can even be used to make grayscale. I used the tilemapping routine with two sets of tiles for my own game to make an awesome map that can be compared to the original "Pokemon". Although it flickers, the grayscale came closer than any other function that I've tried.

Functionality: 10/10 (Now I don't have to have tons of asm( subroutines)
Stability: 10/10 (It hasn't crashed on me yet, and I sure do mess up the syntax a lot)
Speed: 8/10 (Very fast but still could use some improvement if possible)

“xLib” is far and away the fastest and most comprehensive BASIC enhancement library in existence, to such a degree that many programmers are now referring to two separate languages: "pure BASIC," and "hybrid BASIC," the latter referring to programs written with the aid of “xLib”. “xLib” does not merely add a few useful tools; it adds an entire external command set to the BASIC language.

As I write this review, “xLib” currently contains the features of nearly every other BASIC extension library, and more, and executes them far faster. The reason for its speed and extensiveness are twofold; first, it is in app form, which bypasses slowdowns induced by running the Asm( command with less than 20k of RAM and allows very many features to be crammed in; second, it is written by Patrick Prendergast, one of the foremost experts in TI-83/+ Assembly. He is, after all, the guy who wrote “Desolate”.

What makes “xLib” so special compared to Omnicalc? Both are apps, and therefore should be able to have as many features and the same execution speed. Well, first of all “xLib” is solely oriented towards game programming, specifically the graphical elements of games, so it does not include all the math functions of Omnicalc. Second, Patrick was aided by some of the most prominent BASIC programmers around (including Kevin Ouellet, author of “Diortem” and “The Reign of Legends” series) in choosing which features to include. Third, his skill is such that he was able to optimize “xLib” to the point where even the commands that it shares with Omnicalc (such as the sprite function) execute significantly more quickly, and the program as a whole is slightly more stable- crashes are almost solely due to error on the part of the user.

“xLib”, as I have already said, contains many useful features. It includes a built-in tilemapping routine with which you can easily create scrolling worlds, either on an 8x8 or 16x16 grid. It also has a built in sprite function that can quickly display sprites of any size, a shape function that can render points and lines far faster than the TI-OS routines as well as filled and/or outlined rectangles, an input routine that allows for multiple keypresses, contrast control, and many more. It is a superset of nearly every BASIC extension library out there.

To conclude, “xLib” is the single essential BASIC extension library. Besides a wish to prove your skill at pure BASIC, I can think of no reason NOT to use “xLib”, and few reasons to use anything else. If you wish to program a gorgeous, graphical BASIC game that looks and moves like asm, “xLib” is the library for you.

“xLIB” is the best thing ever to hit TI calculators. It provides everything that BASIC programmers need. I use it with everything that I have.

Functionality: 10/10
It says it has 13 functions, but there is so much variety that one can actually have over 100 functions.

Practicality: 10/10
All you have to do in a program is put real(function). That’s it!

Memory Usage: 10/10
It doesn't use any RAM cause its an app. That means no archiving or unarchiving programs. Execute archived pics and archived programs is very helpful.

Bugs, and Errors: 10/10
Since I've been using it there have been no bugs at all.

Overall: 10/10
It is the best! Wouldn't change a thing. Awesome job Pete!

Usage: 9/10
The readme is thorough, but there are so many commands, you will find yourself reading the readme more than programming.

Stability: 9/10
“xLIB” will never crash if you enter things correctly. This would be the best library available, if it had some way to fill in the remaining variables. Anyway, if the author finds some way to make just an error come up or something istead of a crash when variables are wrong or missing, I would give stability perfect.

Functionality: 10/10
If you are a BASIC programmer, you should get this now. It adds so much functionality to your programs.