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Re: AppleSoft Programming Examples?

limtc wrote:

MD-BASIC is Applesoft preprocessor, it is not a compiler. It generates
Applesoft BASIC code.


But the point is that *any* pre-pass, compiler or not, has the effect
of removing direct interactivity.


What it does add, is to modernize the BASIC language including IF-THEN-
ELSE, and the removal of line numbers.


I understand.  Applesoft is an old implementation of an old language.
But it remains quite useful, though perhaps not the choice of everyone
for beginning programming instruction.  A *huge* part of its utility
is that it is essentially universally available on Apple II machines,
which is not true of *any* other language (except 6502 M/L ;-).


Of course, we disagreed from the point here, I don't think line
numbers is a good thing and a editor is a necessity (this essentially
the opposite of the "type in the direct command"), especially once you
need to start editing the codes.


But sometimes you want to see what will happen if you "xxxx", or
you just want to catalog a disk, and for this, direct execution
is ideal.  In fact, many editors incorporate some kind of "shell"
escape, just so that some direct commands can be entered.

I think we differ on the relative value of interactivity and
"modern style"--and for instruction, I can see your point.  But
once a person knows how to program, style can always be accomodated,
and interactivity is very valuable.  (I actually think that the
immediate feedback of interactivity is vital to learning, too, but
perhaps your perception is affected by running at high speed in
an emulator, so that very little time elapses between editing and
running--a condition seldom achieved with real Apple II's.  ;-)


On 8 31 ,   3 48 , "Michael J. Mahon" <mjma...@aol.com> wrote:



The problem with BASIC compilers is that they destroy the totally
interactive nature of interpretive execution.  Being able to
1) type in a direct command and *do* it, 2) type in a statement-
numbered command and add it to your program, and 3) type "run"
and immediately get a result, is a wonderful thing.


-michael

NadaPong: Network game demo for Apple II computers!
Home page:  http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/

"The wastebasket is our most important design
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