Programming Can Be Fun

You can duplicate the following programs in your TIMEX Personal Computer to find out just how much fun programming can be. We are indebted to the T/S users identified by the first program REM for submitting the programs to RAMBLINGS.

MOVE THE DOT

Simple moving graphics are demonstrated by this program which allows you to move a flickering square around the screen. To enter line 20, switch to the Graphics mode and press the SPACE key. Repetitive action is available by holding the appropriate arrow key(s). After entering the program, RUN to execute. Stop the program with BREAK.

  4  REM BY ROB SIEG, CLEVELAND,
     OHIO
  5  REM [MOVE THE DOT in inverse]
  6  REM USE DIRECTION KEYS 5, 6,
     7, 8
  7  REM [a line and a half of grey checkerboard graphics]
  8  FAST
 10  FOR A = 1 TO 22
 20  PRINT "[a full screen line of inverse spaces]"
 30  NEXT A
 35  SLOW
 40  LET A = 30
 50  LET B = 25
 60  UNPLOT A,B
 70  PLOT A,B
 80  IF INKEY$ = "6" THEN LET B = B - 3
 90  IF INKEY$ = "7" THEN LET B = B + 3
100  IF INKEY$ = "5" THEN LET A = A - 3
110  IF INKEY$ = "8" THEN LET A = A + 3
120  GOTO 60

DOLLARS BY THE POUND

Below, we have a program which is capable of converting dollars to pounds — and pounds to dollars.

After entering the program, RUN to execute, and enter the data when prompted to do so by the instructions on the TV screen. The program has, within it, several pause cycles. If the screen goes blank the system hasn’t crashed, it’s just pausing; wait for a few seconds until the program resumes its execution.

When you are ready to quit the program, press the BREAK key to do so (note that you can’t BREAK when the program is in input mode).

  5  REM BY JOHN E. LOWE, BATH,
     MAINE
  6  REM [CONVERT $ TO £ in inverse]
 10  PRINT "THIS IS A PROGRAM TO
     CONVERT THE $ TO £ AND VICE
     VERSA"
 20  PRINT
 30  PRINT "ENTER THE VALUE OF £ IN
     $"
 40  INPUT E
 50  CLS
 60  GOTO 120
 70  PRINT "IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE
     THE EXCHANGE RATE, PRESS ANY
     KEY"
 80  PAUSE 360
 90  CLS
100  IF INKEY$ <> "" THEN GOTO 30
110  CLS
120  PRINT "ENTER WHETHER YOU ARE
     STARTING WITH $ OR £"
130  INPUT A$
140  CLS
150  IF A$ = "$" THEN GOTO 170
160  IF A$ = "£" THEN GOTO 210
170  PRINT "ENTER AMOUNT IN
     DOLLARS"
180  INPUT D
190  PRINT "AMOUNT IN POUNDS = £";
     D/E
200  GOTO 70
210  CLS
220  PRINT "ENTER AMOUNT IN
     POUNDS"
230  INPUT P
240  CLS
250  PRINT "AMOUNT IN DOLLARS = ";
     P*E
260  PAUSE 360
270  CLS
280  GOTO 70

Editor’s Note: A tip of the hat and a free TIMEX T-shirt go to all contributors in this month’s issue of RAMBLINGS.