The Basic Programming Language

Click below to go directly to a specific section:
History | Significant Language Features | Areas of Application | Sample Programs
Related Links | Printed References | Acknowledgments

History

Basic is a very powerful language as a tool for the novice programmer. Basic allows for a wide range of applications, and it has many versions. However, as long as the emphasis is on the techniques of programming and problem solving, the specific syntax is easy to follow.

Significant Language Features

Basic is a multi-platform language because many basic compilers use the same types of routines. Basic allows:

Loops
Input from the keyboard
Menu Driven Applications
System Commands - These are words that make the system perform a specific task immediately.
Structured Programming
Subroutines
Built-In Functions
User-Defined Functions
Arrays, sorting, and searches

Areas of Application

Basic has many strong points, such as:

Easy to learn for beginners
Adds powerful additional features for the advanced user
Is designed for interactive use rather than batch work
Lends itself to learning by hands-on practical use

and is therefore suitable for both the professional and non-professional.

Sample Programs

Related Links

Beginner's Basic Home Page
This page has some frequently asked questions about basic.
Waterloo Basic
This page explains one type of basic compiler.

Printed References

Bend, Robert. (1990). Basic: An Introduction to Computer Programming. Brooks/Cole Publishing, California.
Forsyth, Richard. (1978). The Basic Idea. Chapman and Hall Publishing, New York.
Mashaw, Bijan. (1985). Basic. Mayfield Publishing Company, London.

Acknowledgments

The "Hello world!" program was written with the help of the Hello World Page

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Last modified: 01:30 PM on 11/25/1996

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