Apple II User Manual

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|  TOPIC -- AIM Computer -- AIM BASIC Language Reference Manual

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AIM 65 MICROCOMPUTER BASIC LANGUAGE REFERENCE MANUAL

Rockwell International Corporation

Document No 29650 N49

March 1979

    TABLE OF CONTENTS

100 Installing BASIC in the AIM 65

200 Getting Started With Basic

    201       BASIC Command Set

    202       Direct and Indirect Commands

    203       Operating on Programs and Lines

    204       Printing Data

    205       Number Format

    206       Variables

    207       Relational Tests

    208       Looping

    209       Matrix Operations

    210       Subroutines

    211       Entering Data

    212       Strings

300 Statement Definitions

    301       Special Characters

    302       Operators

    303       Commands

    304       Program Statements

    305       Input/Output Statements

    306       String Functions

    307       Arithmetic Functions

A   Error Messages

B   Space Hints

C   Speed Hints

D   Converting BASIC Programs not Written for AIM 65 BASIC

E   ASCII Character Codes

F   Assembly Language Subroutines

G   Storing AIM 65 BASIC Programs on Cassette

H   ATN Implementation

INTRODUCTION

Before a computer can perform any useful function, it must be "told" what to do.  Unfortunately,

at this time, computers are not capable of understanding English or any other "human" language.

This is primarily because our languages are rich with ambiguities and implied meanings.  The

computer must be told precise instructions and the exact sequence of operations to be performed

in order so accomplish any specific task.  Therefore, in order to facilitate human communication

with a computer, programming languages have been developed.

Rockwell AIM 65 8K BASIC by Microsoft is a programming language both easily understood and

simple to use.  It serves as an excellent "tool" for applications in areas such as business, science,

and education.  After only a few hours of using BASIC, you will find that you can already write

programs with an ease that few other computer languages can duplicate.

Originally developed at Dartmouth University, the BASIC language has found wide acceptance in

the computer field.  Although it is one of the simplest computer languages to use, it is very powerful.

BASIC uses a small set of common English words as its "comnmands."  Designed specifically as an

"interactive" language, you can give a command such as "PRINT 2 + 2," and BASIC will immediately

reply with "4."  It is not necessary to submit a card deck wish your program on it and then wait

hours for the results.  Instead, the full power of the computer is "at your fingertips."

We hope that you enjoy BASIC, and are successful in using it to solve all of your programming