Illustrating BBC Basic [Paperback]

This book may be used as a self-contained manual for BBC-BASIC, the main language of the BBC Microcomputer and Master Series Computers.The novice programmer is encouraged to develop good programming habits in this introduction to BBC Basic language that emphasizes structured programming and style.The novice programmer is encouraged to develop good programming habits in this introduction to BBC Basic language that emphasizes structured programming and style.This book may be used as a self-contained manual for BBC-BASIC, the main language of the BBC Microcomputer and Master Series Computers. Information is presented in a form handy for reference. Page 163, for example, tabulates all characters in the ASCII range; pages 124-5 summarize all information needed when composing screens of MODE 7 graphics. A quick reference to all functions and operators is given on page 179; the syntax of every statement and command of BBC-Basic is summarized on pages 180-1. But there is more to this book. How do you make a computer sort names into alphabetical order? Not as obvious as it might seem. Three different sorting techniques are explained by example in this book: bubble sort, monkey puzzle (more formally the 'binary tree') and Quicksort relies on 'recursion' - an important programming concept which is explained and demonstrated. Making coloured objects rebound around the walls of a squash court is another technique demonstrated; so is making voices sing in harmony; so is computerizing a humble address book.Preface; 1. Introductory example; 2. Rudiments; 3. Notation; 4. Arithmetic; 5. Strings; 6. Control; 7. Arrays; 8. Functions and procedures; 9. Input and output; 10. Graphics; 11. Sound; 12. Files; 13. Operation and error handling; 14. Backdoor basic; Quick reference; Index.