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\r~05,40\K\W\Q\C\\ 
SMARTBASIC CONSTRUCTION SET.\\ 
BY GRAFTEX SOFTWARE.\w\A\\ 
Some time ago Joe Quinn of the Gulf Coast ADAM User's Group, GCAUG, from Mobile, AL., U\r~05,80\\ 
\K\W\Q\CPAGE 18.\\ 
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\K\W\Q\CV.I.S.A. PRODUCT REVIEW.\\ 
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BY DAVID COBLEY.\\ 
\r~05,40\K\W\Q\C\\ 
SMARTBASIC CONSTRUCTION SET.\\ 
BY GRAFTEX SOFTWARE.\w\A\\ 
Some time ago Joe Quinn of the Gulf Coast ADAM User's Group, GCAUG, from Mobile, AL., USA., sent me a copy of a programme he had written, for me to review. The programme was called SmartBASIC Construction Set.\\ 
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After my initial review of the programme I wrote to Joe and suggested some changes in the text of the programme, and subsequently I took the liberty of revising my copy so that the user could "ESCAPE" to the Main Menu, from any point throughout the programme, which was not previously possible.\\ 
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I understand that Joe has incorporated my revision into the copies that are now on sale from the ADAM Software Support Company, 8125 W. Catharine St., Chicago, IL, USA., 60656.\\ 
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SmartBASIC Construction set is a one disc/datapack programme that provides the neophyte SmartBASIC programmer with a series of explanations and examples for the meaning and use of the complete set of instructions and routines used in SmartBASIC.\\ 
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The explanations and examples are available through a series of "menus" which can be viewed consecutively, as is preferable when using this programme as an initial training aid, or individually, which is more useful when using the programme as a reference during actual programming activities.\\ 
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The individual explanations and examples, while not lengthy, are sufficient to give student users adequate material on which to base their understanding of the uses and applications of each of the various instructions or routines.\\ 
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The programme starts off with an introductory graphics screen which shows a hammer, a spike, a saw-horse and the title, plus an explanation of the purpose and the name and address of the originator of the programme. After completing "loading" of the programme, this screen is replaced by a colourful screen which reads, in part, "Select the programme you wish to study. Type it's number.". Followed by two alternatives:-\\ 
<1> SmartBASIC INSTRUCTIONS, and \\ 
<2> ROUTINES.\\ 
"Make your selection now."\\ 
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Pressing the numeral key <1> causes ADAM to "load" the SmartBASIC Instructions, followed by a screen explaining the purpose of the selection, and instructing the user to "Press any key to begin".\\ 
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Pressing any key produces a screen which asks the user whether they wish to have a LISt of the MENU selections, or just begin and go through them all?.\\ 
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Pressing the "L" key produces the LIST, or the "S" starts the "run" at the beginning.\\ 
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Pressing "L" produces a list of 11 MENU SELECTIONS, which can be individually selected at the user's discretion.\\ 
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Pressing "S" starts the programme on a continuing series of MENU screens listed alphabetically. Each MENU provides a selection of instructons plus the opportunity to proceed to the "next MENU", "to EXIT for practice" or "to exit to the MAIN MENU". Selections are made by typing in the appropriate number and pressing <RETURN>.\\ 
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Selecting any of the numbers, produces a screen showing an explanation of the use of the selected instruction plus an example of it's use. Some of the selections involve several screens which are "scrolled" by the user, whenever they are ready.\\ 
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The user can elect to "exit to practice" at any point. Using this selection clears the screen and permits the user to practice using the selection(s) in SmartBASIC. There is a simple routine spelled out in the upper part of the screen to permit the user to return to the routine they recently vacated, once their practice is complete.\\ 
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Selecting the second option, from the MAIN MENU, "ROUTINES", causes the programme to "load" a further sub-routine which screens a selection menu offering, <1> "SOUND", <2> "ASCII", <3> "CHR$" or <4> "DECISIONS".\\ 
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Selecting any of the choices produces an appropriate demonstration of the various aspects of the selection. In the case of "SOUND', you are offered a selection of 3 different sounds for you to hear. In the case of "ASCII" you are offered the choice of pressing any key, and then the ASCII value of that keypress will be shown on the screen. Pressing <3> for the "CHR$" selection produces a complete listing of ASCII values in numerical order. Selecting "DECISIONS" provides a series of screens that serve to illustrate the decision making routines used with ADAM in SmartBASIC.\\ 
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The explanations and illustrations used throughout the programme are simple and easy to follow. Now that the student user can exit the various activities to practice using the individual commands, without having to vacate the programme, and without having to "re-boot" after practising, my initial concerns about the programme "tying-up" the very unit needed to practice, and a need for an ESCAPE hatch, have now been removed. \\ 
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Altogether a very informative educational programme for student, SmartBASIC programmers.\\ 
re offered a selectio
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