[Prev] [Next] [Contents] [Commodore] [New] [Search] [Home]
Table 1 - 1. CBM BASIC Character Set
CHARACTER NAME and DESCRIPTION
  BLANK - separates keywords and variable names
; SEMI-COLON - used in variable lists to format output
= EQUAL SIGN - value assignment and relationship testing
+ PLUS SIGN - arithmetic addition or string concatenation
(concatenation: linking together in a chain)
- MINUS SIGN - arithmetic subtraction, unary minus
* ASTERISK - arithmetic multiplication
/ SLASH - arithmetic division
^ UP ARROW - arithmetic exponentiation
( LEFT PARENTHESIS - expression evaluation and functions
) RIGHT PARENTHESIS - expression evaluation and functions
% PERCENT - declares variable name as an integer
# NUMBER - comes before logical file number in input/output statements
$ DOLLAR SIGN - declares variable name as a string
, COMMA - used in variable lists to format output; also separates command parameters
. PERIOD - decimal point in floating point constants
" QUOTATION MARK - encloses string constants
: COLON - separates multiple BASIC statements in a line
? QUESTION MARK - abbreviation for the keyword PRINT
< LESS THAN - used in relationship tests
> GREATER THAN - used in relationship tests
<pi> PI - the numeric constant 3.141592654

The Operating System gives you two modes of BASIC operation:

  1. DIRECT Mode
  2. PROGRAM Mode
  1. When you're using the DIRECT mode, BASIC statements don't have line numbers in front of the statement. They are executed whenever the <RETURN> key is pressed.
  2. The PROGRAM mode is the one you use for running programs.
[Prev] [Next] [Contents] [Commodore] [New] [Search] [Home]
This page has been created by Sami Rautiainen.
Read the small print. Last updated November 13, 1998.