Dr. Windows 3/dr win3.zip/dr win3/VISUALBA/PROG913.ZIP/PROGRAM.DOC

Text File | 1994-02-08 | 9KB | 187 lines

PROGRAM.DOC                 by:  Ira F. Kavaler - March & April, 1987
Version 9.13 - 1/8/94


     The BASIC Language PROGRAM Generator.
     -------------------------------------

     I love teaching technical subjects, but I'm not a teacher.  I'm an
electrical engineer by trade.  While receiving my higher education I
despised computers.  I was a radio man;  a "ham" (amateur radio)
operator.  Based on these early tendencies my first block of technical
training after high school came from RCA Institutes in New York City.
At RCA I took their Advanced Technologies course (T-3) which consisted
of nine terms;  the first eight were straight forward Mathematics
(Calculus), English, Science (Physics), Industrial Engineering, and
Electrical and Electronic Theory.  The ninth, and last, term was
specialization in either Communications Technology or Computer Science.
Of course, I elected communications!  I and my classmates called the
computer kids, "button pushers"!

     After graduating from RCA I decided to get my EE degree, so I went
to The Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, now masquerading as The
Polytechnic University of New York.

     In 1963, while attending Poly, I happened into my public library
one day and, for lack of something better to read, I checked-out a book
on computer programming in machine language.  The book was in the RCA
Tutor Series, which was supposed to be a self-learning text;  and it
was!

     Within days I was writing machine language program for a computer
I didn't even have access to.  I was converted to a "button pusher".
The next semester I enrolled in computer classes; Poly had a total of
two:  Computer Techniques and Mathematical Techniques;  the latter had
very little to do with programming.  The language taught was Fortran
IV, and I was writing programs within a day.  My professor couldn't
follow the subject matter, complexity, nor logic of my programs by the
second week.

     As a class project, I proved by computer simulation that broadcast
color television standards set in the 1950's were wrong;  the
modulation compression limits established by the broadcast industry and
the FCC were incorrect.

     A second class project was a business inventory and ordering
program for my family's paint business.

     By the next semester (1964) my guidance counselor realized my
potential (after "being hit over the head with pleas for computer
time"), so he got me a National Science Foundation grant, and
sponsorship by NASA to do computer programming research.  My primary
project was to develop a program to digest vacuum tube and transistor
specifications and characteristic curves for the design of electronic
circuits.  I was very successful, having been offered positions by many
large computer companies upon graduation.

     I was given access to the newly installed IBM 7040 System, and
time sharing system connected to the GE Datanet, using Darthmouth
BASIC, FORTRAN and ALGOL languages.  When Poly replaced the 7040 System
with a new System / 360, I wrote many of the library functions for its
APL (Inversion) language.

     While still a student at Poly I started teaching computer
programming classes in additional to the advanced communications
technologies classes I was conducting.  I was so successful in getting
other students interested in computer programming that I started
teaching programming to pre-teenagers in my neighborhood.

     Upon graduation my family did not was me to move out of New York
City, so I turned down a very lucrative offer by IBM and got a job with
the government;  my mother wanted me to have a secure job, and she was
right!

     I was always striving to discover the perfect teaching method;
something I'm still trying to do.  My teaching techniques progressed to
the point that I could teach a person to write a simple program within
one hour using the six primitive BASIC commands:  LET, INPUT, PRINT,
GOTO, IF...THEN, and END.

     When I finally got my first home computer* in 1979 (and I resisted
getting one for many years) I was on my way to unlimited computer time.
A couple of years later my boss arranged to get me an IBM XT system.

     (* My first machine was a Super Elf 1802 microprocessor on a
single board, followed months later by a TRS-80 Model I, which I still
have in perfect operating condition, amongst other early computer
systems I've been collecting over the years.)

     I tough an interesting project would be to write a program that
would allow non-programmers to write fully functional BASIC language
programs with extremely minimal training.  To that goal I wrote the
program "PROGRAM", which in 1987 was called simply "PGM".

     The files generated by PROGRAM can be LOADed under BASICA and run
independently of PROGRAM.  If the generated file is re-SAVEd under
BASICA in the ASCII format;  that is, using SAVE"file",a  it can be
reloaded under PROGRAM and edited.

     I tried to make PROGRAM self explanatory but it's hard for me to
tell if I was successful.  I don't think it is as easy to use as I
wanted, but then neither is programming a VCR!  (I'm very good at that
too!)

     Why not try it and let me know how you make out.  To help where I
may have fallen short, I have included additional documentation file(s)
which were a manuscript for a computer manual I wrote a decade ago for
classes I was teaching on the Commodore VIC-20 and 64 systems.  I have
quickly edited the manuscript for the IBM system.  The manual was not
meant to be used alone, but with PROGRAM it should be complete.


     Here's the small print.
     -----------------------

     All versions of this program including its related files are being
distributed on an "AS IS" basis.  There is absolutely no stated or
implied guarantee or warrantee of usability for any purpose or
correctness of the formulas and procedures contained in any file.

     If you happen to discover an error in the program I will make
every attempt to correct the error as quickly as possible.  I am under
no obligation to replace nor make refunds for defective full versions
or demonstration/trial versions of the program.  I have to take this
posture as my cost to make even the simplest of corrections far
outweighs any monetary compensation received for the full version of
the program.

     If you require any special modifications to the program I will be
happy to discuss on an individual basis the cost of supplying modified
programs and documentation.

     The program was tested on Tandy models 1000 and 1000 SX using MS-
DOS 3.3;  IBM XT, AT, PS/2 models 50 and 80, using PC-DOS 3.3;  an
Arche Rival 286 using MS-DOS 5.0;  and a Compaq Desk-Pro 486/33 using
MS-DOS 6.0.


     And now a word from our sponsor.
     --------------------------------

     You can get the latest version of this program by registering the
program.  When you register I will also include any other demonstration
/ trail programs that I have available.  Please send $20.00 for an IBM
compatible 5-1/4 or 3-1/2 inch 720 DS/DD or HD disk(s), your choice,
to:

                                IRA F. KAVALER
                              671 East 78 Street
                           Brooklyn, New York 11236


     All inquiries that do not include the registration fee must be
accompanied by a stamped self addressed return envelope.

     I reserve the right to discontinue support for, change the terms,
or withdraw any part or all of this offer including but not limited to
the programs and its associated files at any time without giving prior
notice.

     No form of this program, registered or unregistered,  may be used
in commercial, educational, nor governmental applications without
written authorization or a site lease from the author;  such
authorization and/or site lease may require that a substantial fee be
paid to the author.


     73's, de WA2ZIR.
     ----------------

     I welcome your suggestions and comments about this product and
others.  I won't promise that good suggestions will be