Section 5 Functional Groups of Test Programs.. 5.1 Simple PRINTing of string constants.. 5.2 END and STOP.... Page 26 26 26 5.14.2 Expressions in other contexts: PRINT, IF, 46 5.14.3 Exceptions in subscripts and arguments.. 47 5.14.4 Exceptions in other contexts: PRINT, IF, 47 49 6 5.15.9 Mismatch of Types in Assignment...... Tables of Summary Information about the Test Programs...... 50 6.1 Group Structure of the Minimal BASIC Test Programs.... 51 Appendix A: Differences between Versions 1 and 2 of the 75 76 14 25 Instructions for the INPUT Exceptions Test...... 41 1 HOW TO USE THIS MANUAL operating Readers This manual presents background information and instructions for the NBS Minimal BASIC test programs. who want a general idea of what the programs are supposed to do and why they are structured as they are should read sections 2 and 3. These sections give a brief explanation of BASIC, how it is standardized, and how the test programs help measure of to conformance to the standard. Those who wish to know how to interpret the results of program execution should also read section 3 and then section 4 for the general rules interpretation and section 5 for information peculiar individual programs and groups of programs within the test system. Section 6 contains tables of summary information about the tests. Volume 2 of this publication consists of the source listings and sample outputs for all the test programs. The test system for BASIC should be helpful to anyone with an interest in measuring the conformance of an implementation of BASIC (e.g., a compiler or interpreter) to the Minimal BASIC standard. This would include 1) purchasers who want to be sure they are buying a standard implementation, 2) programmers who must use a given implementation and want to know in which areas it conforms to the standard and which features to avoid or be wary of, and 3) implementors who may wish to use the tests as a development and debugging tool. from the Much of this manual is derived technical specifications in the American National Standard for Minimal BASIC, ANSI X3.60-1978 [1]. You will need a copy of that standard in order to understand most of the material herein. Copies are available from the American National Standards Institute, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018. This document will frequently cite ANSI X3.60-1978, and references to "the standard" should be taken to mean that ANSI publication. The measure of success for Version 2 of the Minimal BASIC Test Programs is its usefulness to you. We at NBS would greatly appreciate hearing about your evaluation of the test system. We will respond to requests for clarification concerning the system and its relation to the standard. Also, we will maintain a mailing list of users who request to be notified of changes and major clarifications. Please direct all comments, questions, and suggestions to: Project Manager NBS BASIC Test Programs National Bureau of Standards |