Hila/Turnbull Learning Centre
Computer Programming
1

Starting Qbasic on your computer.

A computer program is a set of instructions that tell the computer what to do.  These 
instructions must be created in a programming language.
If your computer uses MSDOS you probably have Qbasic, a powerful programming 
language.   At the DOS prompt (C:\>), type qbasic, and the program should start.

If you are using WINDOWS 95, you will find Qbasic on the Windows 95 CD under 
D:/other/oldmsdos

A one line program:

 Type the word beep then press Enter. Did you notice that beep changed to BEEP? If 
you had spelled beep incorrectly it would not have changed. The commands must be 
spelled correctly!  This is a one line program, to run this program press F5.  Did your 
computer "BEEP"?

Words like BEEP that make the computer do something are called commands. 

A three line program:

BEEP
SLEEP 1
BEEP

The SLEEP command will cause the computer to pause for the number of seconds 
indicated by the number following the command.  There must be a space between SLEEP 
and the number.

The PRINT command:

PRINT "Hello, my name is Jane." (Press F5)

Everything between the quotation marks "", appears on the screen as entered.  

The CLS command:

The CLS command clears the screen.  Try this program:
CLS
PRINT "Hello, my name is Jane."
SLEEP 1
CLS
PRINT "Good Bye."