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 picoBASIC Integer for PalmOS
 Version: 1.01

 Copyright  2002 by Picodoc Corporation
 Date: August 16, 2002 
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Contents:

 * What is picoBASIC Integer?
  - Features
 * What's new in this version?
 * System requirements
 * Installation
 * Writing a Program
 * How to contact us

 
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 What is picoBASIC Integer?
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This language is a departure from standard development tools for handheld devices. In fact, it's not really a development tool at all. We don't expect people to write commercial applications in picoBASIC. The language lacks most of the graphical user interface tools, speed, and power for such a task. Also, it's an interpreted language, so the programs you write are open for anyone else to see. 

Rather, this language is a tool for the end user. The same person who uses the Calendar, the Notepad, and the To Do list can use picoBASIC. It can be used to quickly create solutions to problems and needs of a special nature. Calculation, organization, 'what-if' testing, batch processing, simulation, and entertainment are only a few of the possibilities. 



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 Features
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- common implementation of the BASIC language 
- simple, self-contained, interactive environment 
- string and integer data types 
- extensive set of string functions 
- integer and string arrays up to two dimensions 
- automatic variables and garbage collection 
- fully nested IF THEN ELSE and FOR NEXT statements 
- powerful GOTO <expression> and GOSUB <expression> 
- Break, STOP, CONT and TRACE to aid debugging 
- MERGE and CHAIN allow large, modular programs 
- programs are tokenized for efficiency and speed 


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 What's new in this version?
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This is basically a maintenance release, incorporating some
re-design of internal functionality. In addition:
- added BIN$, HEX$, OCT$ functions
- added &B, &H, &O prefix modifiers for integers 
- moved 'Break' functionality to hard keys
- removed graffiti shift indicator
- updated user manual
- added Chinese zodiac example program



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 System requirements
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The only requirement is a handheld device running PalmOS v.3.1
or later. The number and size of BASIC programs that can be stored
is limited only by available RAM.

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 Installation
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After extraction to a directory of your choosing (or your TEMP directory by
default), the following files will be created:

pBASIC_i.prc	picoBASIC Integer palm application
clock.pdb	sample program #1
primes.pdb	sample program #2
planets.pdb	sample program #3
sort data.pdb	sample program #4
bubblesort.pdb	sample program #5
ccircle.pdb	sample program #6
zodiac.pdb      another sample program
manual.zip	User Manual, in HTML format
readme.txt	this file

* IMPORTANT *
If you are upgrading from a previous version of picoBASIC, do NOT delete the old version before installing the new one. Doing so will delete all picoBASIC programs currently on your Palm device. The pBASICi file should only be deleted if you wish to completely remove picoBASIC, including all associated programs.

To install picoBASIC to your handheld device, double click on pBASIC_i.prc
This file will then be added to your palm install list.  The next time you
execute a hotsync operation, picoBASIC will be installed. 

You can also install any sample programs included with the distribution
files (eg planets.pdb) by the same method.

Once installed, simply tap on the "pBASIC i" icon on your handheld device
to launch picoBASIC Integer.


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 Writing a Program
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Writing programs in picoBASIC is very easy. BASIC is an interactive, line
by line environment in which programs are developed in small steps. Here
is an example for those new to BASIC:

1) Once picoBASIC Integer is installed, tap on the "pBASIC i" icon on your
   handheld device to launch it.
2) After initializing BASIC and displaying the copyright notice, BASIC will
   print "OK" and await your input. At the OK prompt, you can enter either
   direct commands (eg FILES  LIST  PRINT), or program statements to be
   added to the current program. Program statements always begin with a line
   number between 1 and 32767.
3) Just as you would in Memo Pad, use either graffiti or the pop-up keyboard
   to enter text. Enter the following line:
   10 REM Average Calculation
4) Using graffiti, enter a carriage-return character (top right to bottom
   left stroke in the graffiti area).
5) You have now entered the first line of a new program. At the "OK" prompt,
   type LIST followed by another carriage-return stroke. BASIC will respond
   by printing out the current program on the screen (one line so far).
6) Using the techniques in steps 3,4, and 5, enter these additional lines:
   20 A = 1 + 2 + 3
   30 PRINT "The average is "; A/3
7) You now have a program in memory. Type RUN followed by another carriage-
   return stroke. If it has been entered correctly, the program will run
   and print "The average is 2" on the screen. If an error occurs, check the
   program for typing errors using LIST. You can replace a line containing
   an error by re-entering the line with the same line number.

Please refer to the User Manual for a complete list of all valid picoBASIC
statements and functions. The manual also lists and explains the sample
programs that are included with this distribution.


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 How to contact us
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Web: www.picodoc.com

Tech support e-mail: support@picodoc.com

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                                         August 16, 2002
                                         Picodoc Corporation
