Basic Reference Section - Texas Instruments TI-99/4A User Reference Manual

BASIC Reference Section
Introduction
This section of your User's Reference Guide provides a complete
explanation of all of the commands and statements that are a
part of the TI BASIC language built right into your computer.
As mentioned earlier, BASIC i:3
!l
computer Innguuge
designed to be easy for beginners to use, yet powerful enough to
allow you to use your computer for a whole host of applications.
There arc three different paths available to help you learn
TI BASIC.
If you're a beginner - and have never had any experience with
programming - the best place to begin is with the Beginner's
BASIC book included with your computer. The book is
intended to be an enjoyable. quick. self-paced first experience with
programming in TI BASIC. Once you've become familiar with
BASIC. this reference guide will provide the in-depth, ready
reference to terms and information you'll want at your fingertips as
you enjoy the experience of programming.
lfyou've had some programming experience - and just want to get
familiar with TI BASIC and how it works on your computer -
we've provided a series of applications programs at the end of
this manual. These programs start out at a very simple level and
progressively become more complex. Exploring these programs will
illustrate for you the use of many of the statements in TI BASIC.
This reference manual provides in-depth information when you
need it.
For those of you with some programming experience who may not
have
programllled
in
BASIC or who want to "brush up" as you
begin using your computer, we recommend that you begin
with Herbert Peckham's excellent book, Programming BASIC with
tlte
TI
HUIl/e CUIl/jJuter,
whil.:h provide::; a rapid, higher-level
learning experience in BASIC. It is available at most popular
bookstores.
For the knowledgeable - once you've gained profiCIency in
programming - this guide will serve as your primary reference on
TI BASIC statements and commands, providing those details that
need refreshing from time to time. TI BASIC conforms to the
American National Standard for Minimal BASIC. Additional
features in
TI BASIC,
such as color graphics, sound, and many
others, are also described in this manual. If you are an
experienced BASIC programmer, you should have little trouble
jumping right into
TI BASIC
and using
it.
!I-2 User's Reference
Guide