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Finally, the time has come: You are looking at the new Omikron Basic 8 for Power Macintosh computers. It is ready and rearing to go! Omikron Basic 8 itself runs nativly under Mac OS X and can generate programs in such a way that they run nativly under Mac OS X. Of course, the compiler can still generate Classic programs for use with Mac OS 8 and 9.
This manual should help you to achieve optimal use of your computer and the new
Omikron Basic. Of course, it does not replace a BASIC textbook and a certain basic
and general knowledge about the use and handling of computers is assumed.
BASIC is still a very popular programming language since the programs themselves
read almost as if they are a shortened version of regular English. This means that
on the one hand, Omikron Basic is therefore easily learned, and on the other hand
no real limits are imposed on advanced users at the same time. Many of the commands
implemented in Omikron Basic exceed the BASIC standard by far. In addition, it is
possible to utilize the Mac OS with its thousands of functions directly. The various
libraries complement the command set to be used for special applications in all areas
from science and technology.
We would like to point out the EasyGem Library located in a separate folder. This
module is easy to use and creates professional user interfaces. However, users should
be familiar with some programming basics before using this module.
Omikron Basic generates highly optimized and compact PowerPC code in spite of its
simplicity; this code is equal to - and sometimes even exceeds - other programming
languages in respect to its execution speed.
We have divided the manual into separate chapters,which you should read in sequence.
Chapter 1 is first concerned with the installation of the software, followed by a list comparing the differences to the Atari version and to a few other BASIC versions. If you used to develop programs on Atari computers with Omikron Basic or if you want to transfer other programs, this chapter gives you important hints and tips on how to adapt your old programs to the new Omikron Basic. You can skip this chapter if it does not apply to you.
Chapters 2 and 3 describe the use of the Editor. The editor was completely revised and now features an entirely new, Mac-typical user interface. Those of you who are already familiar with Omikron Basic Version 5 will still find the program easy to use but newcomers should have no problems with the graphical user interface.
Chapter 4 describes the use of Omikron Basic output windows and includes general information about data types, operators, and syntax agreements. This knowledge is required to understand the detailed command description of the next chapter.
Chapter 5 is the most extensive part of the manual. All Omikron Basic commands, functions, and operators are described in detail. This chapter is also quite suitable to be used as a reference text since the individual BASIC commands are arranged alphabetically.
Chapter 6 contains a list of Omikron Basic's error messages and error messages of the compiler and the MacOS.
Chapter 7 consists of additional information about fonts, fill patterns, the keyboard code, and other characteristics of the Mac OS.
Chapter 8, then finally lists and describes all of those functions of the Extension Library, which constitute a command extension for Omikron Basic.
Chapter 9 gives a brief overview of the other libraries available for Omikron
Basic.
Chapter 10 describes how to use the integrated Library Maker.
Chapter 11 describes in detail the source code debugger using illustrative
examples. Use the debugger to "step" through your programs in small increments
while viewing the content of variables and memory cells.
The sample programs in the folder DEMO are also very helpful. They illustrate
different perspectives of programming with Omikron Basic. Once the use of the editor
and command set has become familiar, the programmer should try to modify, enhance,
or improve these sample programs.
We now wish any novice as well as any expert programmer the best of luck and lots
of fun and success with our new Omikron Basic for Apple PowerMac.
Hankensbüttel, June, 2004
Your Omikron Basic Team
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