BBC BASIC for Windows: Learning BBC4W

BBC BASIC for Windows
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Learning BBC4W
Post by dmspar on Dec 28^th, 2009, 1:36pm

Hello all, and hope you had a great christmas.

I've just downloaded the demo of this great looking program, and have been happily messing around with it today.

Now, I have all the excellent magazines called 'INPUT' by Marshall Cavendish, it was a series of magazines released in the 80's that taught you how to program on various computer platforms. I used this whilst programming on my Spectrum and Acorn all those years ago, and when I saw BBC4W I thought great, I'll dig out the magazines and see what I can learn.

Is this a good way to get to grips with BBC4W? I'm happy to see that line numbers are able to be used, and I have been able to easily convert some programs that don't need line numbers.

What do you all think?

Re: Learning BBC4W
Post by admin on Dec 28^th, 2009, 3:01pm

Quote:

Is this a good way to get to grips with BBC4W?

If you're comfortable with it, then it's a good way. Obviously it won't teach you about the more modern features, and may lead you to do things in a less straightforward and elegant way than is now possible, but you can unlearn bad habits later!

I would suggest you consider working through the Beginners' Tutorial, because that will give you more of an insight into 'modern' BBC BASIC (e.g. no line numbers):

http://www.bbcbasic.co.uk/bbcwin/tutorial/index.html

(or accessible from the BB4W Help menu).

Richard.

Re: Learning BBC4W
Post by Dyna on Apr 24^th, 2010, 09:57am

I would like a printable version of the manual. Anyone know where I can download one?

Re: Learning BBC4W
Post by admin on Apr 24^th, 2010, 10:15am

on Apr 24^th, 2010, 09:57am, Dyna wrote:

I would like a printable version of the manual. Anyone know where I can download one?

http://www.bbcbasic.co.uk/bbcwin/manual/bbcwin.pdf

(FAQ #2)

Richard.

Re: Learning BBC4W
Post by Kendall K Down on Feb 14^th, 2011, 11:21am

And get used to writing without line numbers. There are only two situations when you might need them: the first is for a GOSUB or GOTO and you really shouldn't use those commands (I'm sure it won't be hard to find explanations why not!)

The second is for debugging, when it can be helpful to have your program report ERR " in line " ERL. Note however that if you can view the source code while your program is running, the statement that contains the error is highlighted.

Other than these two situations, writing without line numbers is much easier (particularly as BBC4W doesn't automatically renumber when you insert a line!)