What is atari basic

This is the one you should try as it fixes numerous bugs and memory leaks in the B version. It was several times faster and came with some nice player-missile graphics routines.

A primary limitation was no compiler. It included some faster math routines and access to more memory on the XE computers.

It also came with a compiler and a runtime library for software distribution. I still have not had much of a chance to play with this one but home to someday soon.

I imagine it would be expensive. Here is the Wikipedia page. I believe that one or two sections will cause some difficulty for the beginning programmer, however. Dealing with the general format of the OPEN statement is not a trivial exercise and, since the book is aimed at all levels of readers, a different treatment of this complex subject would be easier for the newer computerist to grasp. The section on game controller functions has no examples longer than one line and very little information about the use of these functions.

We are told that the "imaginative programmer will think of many uses" for these functions. Atari - I'm not very imaginative and others might not be also; in the final manual please give us some ideas on how to use these unique functions. I was pleased to find so many useful items in the appendices. There are several user programs and sample routines listed. A directory of BASIC keywords gives not only the keyword and a brief summary, but also gives the chapter number if you need further reference.

A necessary listing is included of error messages and their corresponding numbers. A listing of trigonometric functions derived from the built-in functions should interest the scientific programmer.

The section on the keyboard and editing features is a good introduction to this input device. It was an excellent idea to include, as an appendice, the glossary and chapter index of the words in the glossary, however I feel this addition should in no way replace a regular index.

Hopefully, one will be included in the final edition. I look forward to reading the final copy. However, for ease of reading, the name could be as long as you wish. Each letter rather than just the first two is significant. Subscripted variables Three subscripts i. Two subscripts i. Subscripts are numbered from 0. String variables Character strings may contain up to characters even though the input buffer is limited to 80 characters. Non-subscripted string variables need not be dimensioned.

Subscripted string variables must be dimensioned if the number of elements in the array is over The " symbol is used to designate characters strings. All strings must be dimensioned.

There is no limit on the length of strings; however, a limit of 99 is imposed for input of strings. String arrays are not allowed. Integer variables Integer variables may contain values of to Not available Dimensioning variables No DIMension statement is necessary for arrays, single or multiple, which have subscripts with values of 10 or less. The dimension definition may be a constant, a variable, or an expression.

All character string and numeric arrays must be dimensioned. Significant digits Numeric values may contain nine significant digits and are rounded if necessary. Numeric values may contain nine significant digits and are truncated if necessary. Scientific notation Scientific notation is accepted for input as well as used to output numbers greater than 9 digits. The STEP value may be an integer or fraction, positive or negative therefore allowing the value of the index to ascend or descend.

Whatever the beginning and ending values of the index are, the loop will be executed at least once. Also, NEXT must be followed by its variable. Most BASICs of the era had the concept of "immediate mode" and "program mode", and some commands could only be used in one mode or the other.

This meant that all strings had to be predefined using DIM , and their length could not be changed during run-time. There are a number of advantages to this approach, notably speed and lower memory usage, but this means conversion of standard programs from MS listings may be difficult. Drag the folder, in which the 2 files are, directly behind the blank. Check with typing ls -a, whether the 2 files can be seen. Then type: cat monkey.

Quick search type ahead. Recent Searches Clear. View PDF More V iew A ttach 54 I nfo.