Atari 400 User Manual page 151

A SIMPLE BASIC PROGRAM
Computer programs can be very simple or very
complicated.·A program is simply a set of instruc-
tions for the computer to follow. It is just like
giving directions to a person. Depending on
where the person wants to go,
the directions
may be very simple or very involved.
The program we wili use consists of only six
lines. Each line starts with a number (called a
line number) ,
followed by a BASIC command.
The line numbers tell the computer in which
orrlf'r to oerform the commands.
sends the information in the line to the com-
puter's memory
If the computer displays a message that says
ERROR at any point after you press RETURN, it
means that you made a mistake in that
line.
You
can take care of that by retyping the line. You
can use the ARROW keys to move back and
type over the error in your original line. Remem-
ber to press RETURN when you finish correcting
any line.
149