Learn Programming Language BASIC?

Question

Hey Guys I am intersted in Computer Programming
I am an absolute beginner at programming.
Some ppl have advised me to start with programming langauge BASIC first.

1. Can anyone give lists books regarding PRACTICAL learning of using prgramming language BASIC for ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS???

2. And can you please give me an insight on what this laguage really is, and its uses???

Thanx

Answer 1

I agree. BASIC is the first language I learned before I started programming. BASIC is used for small applications and other non-commercial software, only without the programming power of other languages like C++. I learned BASIC by picking up a few books about it at the library. Usually it will give you an introduction to it, like the Acronym, (Beginner's All Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) and teach you how to declare strings and variables. Then it should tell you how to make Input and Output, With a few operations.

The commands are made to be mostly english, which is why it is a basic language to learn. You can use it widely, especially with Visual Basic, to make cool programs such as word processors, shopping list makers. label printers, and all kinds of things. They will also let you make a stand-alone application that will open by itself instead of having to open the compiler and run it.

A key thing in BASIC to learn is,
With most compilers, to declare a variable as a number, only use a single letter. With words, use a letter(or combinations of letters if you need more variables)with a $ sign at the end.

For example, to say that we have a variable9by the way, a variable just means a symbol that represents what you are telling it to hold.)

We could say,
A=4
or AB=4
or A$="four"
or AB$ = "four"

To get data from the user, you use INPUT

INPUT C
This tells the computer to make the user type in something, and stuff that data into a variable named C. But that would be the case if that were a number. If it were words(a string) then you would use
INPUT C$
You can use any Letter(or letters) you want as the variable, as long as you remember to use the plain letter for a number and a letter with a $ for a string of words. Now, say for example, I wanted to print what the user just typed in on the screen:
INPUT C$
PRINT C$
Print is the OUTPUT command. it doesn't tell the computer to print through a printer, it means to display it on the screen. Now let's make a more useful program that calculates sales tax:
(Note: Sales Tax Rates may vary, if so, change the .06 to the amount per dollar for your area.)

PRINT "Enter the original cost"; INPUT A
Let COST=A*.06
Let Cost2=COST+COST2
PRINT COST2
END

Yes, remember to put the END at the end of the program, and use LET when declaring variables like I did in the program. These are examples of standard BASIC programs. (Not all compilers might support these.) If you use Windows, I would recommend you download a file named 'Just BASIC) Just search for it and you will find it. You can make executables by following the steps it gives. Look in the HELP section for more commands in the language. After you have mastered this, try Visual BASIC. Although it does cost money(It comes from Microsoft, of course), it is still the next language above(Although the same language).

Here is a BASIC tutorial site:
http://www.ece.gatech.edu/research/ccss/testing/docs/basic.html
Visual Basic Tutorial:
http://www.vbtutor.net/vbtutor.html
Here is where you can download Just Basic:
http://www.justbasic.com/download.html


*Microsoft Visual Studio is the development environment where you can get Visual Basic. If you really want to use this(It is a lot easier than standard BASIC development because you can make windows and dialogs and put everything where you want it, and it might be your money's worth if you are a Hardcore Programmer.

The BASIC tutorial site is for absolute beginners and I believe it will help you with all of your BASIC needs. Plus, the web site is free, which a book is not, so you can read it on the web for free and master the language.

Answer 2

Here is a list of books which can get you started programming in the BASIC family of languages. I particularly recommend Using Basic 2nd edition as it starts you from the ground up and is clearly written with increasing levels of difficulty.

Using Basic 2nd Edition by Phil Feldman & Tom Rugg
(c)1993 by Que ISBN: 1-56529-140-9

Also well written and based on Qbasic:

Qbasic by Example by Greg Perry
(c)1993 by Que Corporation ISBN:1-56529-439-4

Learning Basic byDon Inman
(c)1992 by SAMS ISBM 0-672-30007-9

These use Qbasic 1.1 interpreter which can be downloaded for free. Qbasic 1.1 is based on Quick Basic 4.5 compiler which was the commercial compiler offered by MicroSoft. You really can get a good start just using Qbasic 1.1

The BASIC family of languages very English like statements which are then converted to machine language and executed by the computer to do what ever you wish; accept user input,display text or graphics. While early versions of BASIC were rather limited, by the time Qbasic 1.1 was released it had matured considerably. Modern BASIC languages such as PowerBasic Console Compiler can now compile 32 bit Window programs using nearly the same code.

BASIC is an all purpose language able to produce business programs,games, engineering models, databases, just about anything. The programming logic should also prepare you for other languages C, C++, Java or what ever you choose.

Check out some of the sites you can find at http://www.qbtop50.com and download Qbasic 1.1 and also some of their program code to see what you can do using Basic. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I'd recommend scratch from mit if you have absolutely no programming experience before. You can learn basic programming concepts such as variables, if...else..., loops, events, arrays and game design concepts such as sprite handling, screen coordinate system, etc. from there on, move on to a real language like c++

Answer 4

agreed how ever basic has got a bigger brother visual basic

look on the net for visual vb 2005 express its a free ide and a very good first laguage

http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/vb/

this comes with many guides

on that site u have to ur right a download button under it register (free registration) and under that a complet guide to learning it

Answer 5

I would recommend something with object orientation -- C#, Java, C++, etc.

Basic is obsolete.