Note! This review was written for a previous version of this file!
“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.