2000-OSM, F1
10-1
SECTION 10. VISTA BASIC
INTRODUCTION
Vista BASIC is for the user familiar with the fundamentals of BASIC programming languages and
general programming techniques. This information is provided for reference only, not as a tool for
teaching BASIC programming. "ALPHABETIC LISTING" lists the Vista BASIC commands, functions
and statements in alphabetical order, with descriptive information included in each listing. "SUBJECT
LISTING" lists the Vista BASIC commands, functions and statements in subject order, as a quick
reference guide.
Metacharacters are used to indicate language rules for syntax, but are not actually put into the source
program. Metacharacters and their meanings are as follows:
[ ]
language elements in square brackets are optional
. . .
indicates that a language element can be repeated many time
< >
delimits a language element
Using the Editor
Line Numbers:
Each edit line has the following format:
0000 | <—— Text Field ——> |
where 0000 is a Line Number from 0 - 9999; the Text Field has 33 spaces for program text.
The Line Number is not contained in the source program text file and is not interpreted by Vista
BASIC. It functions as a line location indicator only. The editor automatically sorts the lines in
ascending order by the Line Numbers.
Adding Lines:
To add lines, press the soft key labeled “Insert.” A new line will be added with the
cursor positioned in the line number field. Entering a line number is optional but is recommended to
facilitate moving lines of text. When you move to the text field by pressing the right arrow key, you
can enter characters into the text field of the line.
Positioning the Cursor to a Line:
You position the cursor on a particular line by moving it with the
up or down arrow key. The cursor will move up and down only when the cursor is in the line number
field.
Deleting Lines:
To delete a line, move the cursor to the line to be deleted with the up and down
arrow keys and press the soft key labeled “Delete.”
Inserting Lines:
To insert a line between two existing lines, position the cursor on the line above
where the new line is to be inserted, then press the soft key labeled “Insert.” Lines are inserted after
the line with the cursor.
Moving Lines:
To move a line, cursor to the line number field of the line to be moved. Then change
the line number to a number greater than or equal to the line number of the line above the new
location and less than the line number below the new location.
Modifying Text:
To make changes to a text line, position the cursor at the line to be changed. Then
move the cursor to the text field by pressing the right arrow key. Next position the cursor at the
character position to be changed. Corrections are made in an overstrike mode rather than with
character insertion and deletion.
Restrictions:
Programming in Vista BASIC is limited according to the following specifications.
•
The total time of execution is 5 seconds.
