Atari 65XE, Owner'S Manual

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Exploring ATARI BASIC
Your ATARI 65XE Computer has built-in ATARI BASIC, a version of one
of the most popular programming languages. BASIC (Beginner's All-
purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) was developed at Dartmouth Col-
lege in the 1960s to teach computer programming to beginning col-
lege students. Since then, it has become the most commonly used
programming language for home computers.
Although BASIC is a single language, each version of BASIC language
is slightly different, and ATARI BASIC has some important and unique
features. For instance, special words in ATARI BASIC make producing
sounds and creating color graphics easy. Also, ATARI BASIC is
specially designed for the beginning programmer. Unlike many ver-
sions of BASIC, ATARI BASIC will check each program line that you
write and tell you if you have made an error in grammar or syntax.
And, of course, when you learn to program with ATARI BASIC, learning
other versions of BASIC will be easier.
ATARI BASIC is immediately available when you turn on the computer.
If you don't want to use BASIC, hold down the key when you
turn on the computer. Another way to exit from BASIC is to type BYE,
which activates the Self Test, or DOS, which activates the Disk
Operating System (when the computer is connected to a disk drive).
The second part of this manual, Programming with ATARI BASIC, is a
simple tutorial for the first-time BASIC programmer. Unlike most
tutorials, which make you study the syntax of the language first, this
approach lets you immediately begin to write programs and word
games, solve mathematical problems, and make use of the ATARI
65XE sound and graphics capabilities. When you are done with this
step-by-step lesson, you will understand much better the functions of
the keys and the workings of the computer. The tutorial will help you
get the most out of your new ATARI 65XE.
If you already know how to program in BASIC, the appendices give
you most of the reference tools you will need to work at your own
speed. Appendix A: Sample Programs includes programs of varying
levels of difficulty to give you some practice before you start writing
your own programs with ATARI BASIC. Appendix B: BASIC Reserved
Words offers a list of the commands used in ATARI BASIC and a brief
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