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will probably not do much of your printing using BASIC, the demon-
strations are in BASIC because nearly all personal computer users
have some version of this language. Therefore, almost everyone can
try the examples.
As you run the programs (or even as you read the explanations and
look at the printed examples), you learn how the FX-286 responds to
the messages your computer sends it by printing letters, numbers,
symbols, and graphics in various print modes.
Even if you never use BASIC again, you will know the capabilities
of your printer, capabilities that can often solve your printing prob-
lems. For example, if you need a special symbol, such as the scientific
symbol for one of the planets, you will know that you can turn to the
chapter on user-defined characters and create such a character.
If you don't want to do the exercises in BASIC, you don't have to.
In most cases the software that you use for word processing, business,
or graphics does the calculating and communicating with the printer
for you. All you need to do is install your software as explained in
Chapter 2.
Running BASIC Programs
This section describes how to run the BASIC demonstration pro-
grams in this manual; it is not a tutorial in BASIC programming.
Although there are many versions of BASIC, the programs in this
manual are designed to work with the two most popular ones: Micro-
soft™ BASIC and IBM PC BASIC. If you have another version, you
can run these demonstration programs by making a few changes.
Appendix D has instructions for using Applesoft" BASIC; for other
versions of BASIC, consult the appropriate manual.
When you type these programs, be sure to include all spaces
and punctuation marks, especially semicolons. Press RETURN at the
end of each line. (On your computer the RETURN key may be
marked
or ENTER.) Computers that use a 40-column display
may break some lines into two parts on the screen, but that does not
affect the operation of the program. If you make a typing mistake,
retype the whole line, including the line number; the new line will
replace the old one.
When you have typed all the lines, type RUN and press RETURN
to run the program.
4-5
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