have just downloaded the trial version and am making my way through the beginners documentation... can't believe within 20 minutes I already have my first application sitting on my phone. Great software!
Anyway, to bring myself up to speed on Basic in this context, what is the closest version of Basic that Basic4Android is to? Is it VB.Net? VBasic 6?
The standard Basic language is the same, just a few small differences.
But the big difference is the operating system, and everything related to it is specific and needs its time get it.
Have a look at the Beginner's Guide, the Wiki and afterwards the User's Guide.
The best way to learn is to begin a small project and go on, if then you have questions or doubts there a enough people on the forum who would help.
One other question I had, is how do I know what library objects(?) I can call... there seems to be so many... for instance text to speech, how would I know what this does:
spnrLanguages.AddAll
...and how would I know it even exists other than seeing it in tutorials?
You can find a list of libraries with short descriptions in the Documentation Wiki. Each entry has a link back to the original download and documentation post in the Libraries forum.
Since you mentioned you are using the trial version, do not get upset. You will not be able to have access to any of the libraries except the 'Core'. Professor Klaus and Erel will definitely tell you need the paid version, which I highly recommend.
The fact that you were able to create your first app using the trial version, you had already access to the 'Core' library. if you try to get deeply involved in the programming, all the other libraries that Nford referred you to require the paid version of B4A. It is worth inversting in the paid version. I am pretty sure there is a money back guarantie.
I did the opposite of "money back" -- started with the cheapest version and upgraded to the higher priced version in order to keep getting updates. Best money I ever spent.
The fact that you were able to create your first app using the trial version, you had already access to the 'Core' library. if you try to get deeply involved in the programming, all the other libraries that Nford referred you to require the paid version of B4A. It is worth inversting in the paid version. I am pretty sure there is a money back guarantie.
I'm not concerned at this stage whether to buy the product or not, chances are I will.
I'm more concerned as a complete beginner on where I would find a complete list of the "Core" library so I can know what I can use with the trial version and experiment? Nobody has provided a list of just that.... can anyone provide a link or the answer?
The 'Core' library is one large library. If you click on this link, it will take you to the documentation for that ONE library. You will see all the functions that are available to you. Basic4android - Core
If you are looking for a different answer, I hope someone else can pick up on it.