Star Micronics NB-15 User Manual page 42

c
LPRINT things other than character strings.
We started with Microsoft BASIC because it is the most wide-
ly used version of BASIC around. The programs in this manual
are written in Microsoft BASIC so they should run on most com-
puters. But if strange things happen when you try to run a pro-
gram, check the BASIC manual that came with your computer.
Let's talk about Apple II computers for a minute. These
enormously popular computers use their own brand of BASIC.
To use an Apple II, enter the following - *
PR#l
PRRl
LIST
PRINT "Hello!"
PR#O
PR#O
The PR#l tells the Apple to send everything to the printer,
the LIST or PRINT command sends it, and the PR#O returns
output to the screen.
Other computers, notably the Commodore C-64, require you
to open the printer as a numbered device then to direct output to
that device. For example, you might type the following to print
"Hello!" or to list a program in the C-64's memory.
OPEN4.4
OPEN4,4
CMD4
CMD4
LIST
PRINT "Hello!"
CLOSE4 CLOSE4
Here, the first line says that the printer is device number 4,
the second directs output to it, the third does the printing, and
the last line closes down device number 4.
Appendix H gives more information about listing programs on
the various computers. Find the part that applies to your com-
puter and try it.
Now that we all know how our computers address the printer,
let's try listing a BASIC program. Load a BASIC program and
LLIST it (or however your computer does it). We've crossed the
first major hurdle-learning how to list programs on your
printer. Now we are ready to jump into the world of programm-
ing with your printer. But first, there are a few fundamentals
that we need to cover.
n
Establishing communications
We've learned something about communicating with our
printer. Now we need to adapt what we know to printing in a