Computer Programming in the Basic Language/Second edition, by Neal Golden

Book Review COMPUTER PROGRAMMING IN THE BASIC LANGUAGE/Second edition, by Neal Golden. 312 pages, 1981. Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich, Inc., 757 Third Ave., New York, NY 10017. Price: $7.50. According to Br. Golden, "perhaps no invention in history has made as rapid an impact on peopled lives as the computer . . . the application of computers in business, industry, and education continues to grow at a rapid rate." He goes on to say, "because today’s students live in a computerized world, they must learn to deal with the machines that have created the ’Second Industrial Revolution’." The purpose of this book then, is to teach students about the computer, give them familiarity with programming the device, and illustrate applications of the computer in business and science settings. This book starts out describing the history of computing machines and moves into computer logic and flowcharting. Chapter 2 introduces BASIC language programming with the LET and PRINT statements. The final chapters (5, 6, and 7) discuss advanced BASIC including matrix manipulations, user defined functions, and TRS-80 and Apple graphics. In addition to being clearly written with a logical development of concepts, the book has two excellent features: Each chapter has a two page section on applications of computers. Some of the topics covered are "Computers in Business", "Computers in Education", and "Computers in Sports." These sections will help schools address the need to implement career education components in their courses. The second unique feature is "Programs for Student Assignment" section at the end of each chapter where the student is asked to write a program which will accomplish a specific task. Hundreds of problems are arranged and identified by subject areas (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Advanced Mathematics, Number Theory, Business, and Science) and should provide interesting challenge for programming students of a variety of skill and knowledge levels. This book is an excellent primer on computers and programming. Its read- ability, hundreds of problems, and discussion of computer applications make this a book worth serious consideration when adopting a text for high school or beginning college level computer course. JEFFREY GORDON College of Education University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio 45221 NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS As of June 30, 1981, Dr. Darrell W. Fyffe became Executive Secretary of the Association. His address is: 126 Life Science Bidg., Bowling Green State Uni- versity, Bowling Green, OH 43403. As of June 30, 1982, Dr. Gary G. Bitter will become the new journal Editor. As part of the transition to the new Editor, as of June 1, 1981, all manuscripts submitted to the journal should be sent to Dr. Bitter. His address is: 203 Payne Hall, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281. 540

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Transcript of Computer Programming in the Basic Language/Second edition, by Neal Golden

Page 1: Computer Programming in the Basic Language/Second edition, by Neal Golden

Book Review

COMPUTER PROGRAMMING IN THE BASIC LANGUAGE/Second edition, by Neal Golden. 312pages, 1981. Harcourt, Brace Jovanovich, Inc., 757 Third Ave., New York, NY 10017.Price: $7.50.

According to Br. Golden, "perhaps no invention in history has made as rapidan impact on peopled lives as the computer . . . the application of computers inbusiness, industry, and education continues to grow at a rapid rate." He goes onto say, "because today’s students live in a computerized world, they must learnto deal with the machines that have created the ’Second Industrial Revolution’."The purpose of this book then, is to teach students about the computer, givethem familiarity with programming the device, and illustrate applications of thecomputer in business and science settings. This book starts out describing thehistory of computing machines and moves into computer logic and flowcharting.Chapter 2 introduces BASIC language programming with the LET and PRINTstatements. The final chapters (5, 6, and 7) discuss advanced BASIC includingmatrix manipulations, user defined functions, and TRS-80 and Apple graphics.

In addition to being clearly written with a logical development of concepts, thebook has two excellent features: Each chapter has a two page section on applica-tions of computers. Some of the topics covered are "Computers in Business","Computers in Education", and "Computers in Sports." These sections willhelp schools address the need to implement career education components in theircourses.The second unique feature is "Programs for Student Assignment" section at

the end of each chapter where the student is asked to write a program which willaccomplish a specific task. Hundreds of problems are arranged and identified bysubject areas (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Advanced Mathematics,Number Theory, Business, and Science) and should provide interesting challengefor programming students of a variety of skill and knowledge levels.

This book is an excellent primer on computers and programming. Its read-ability, hundreds of problems, and discussion of computer applications makethis a book worth serious consideration when adopting a text for high school orbeginning college level computer course.

JEFFREY GORDONCollege of EducationUniversity of CincinnatiCincinnati, Ohio 45221

NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS

As of June 30, 1981, Dr. Darrell W. Fyffe became Executive Secretary of theAssociation. His address is: 126 Life Science Bidg., Bowling Green State Uni-versity, Bowling Green, OH 43403.As of June 30, 1982, Dr. Gary G. Bitter will become the new journal Editor.

As part of the transition to the new Editor, as of June 1, 1981, all manuscriptssubmitted to the journal should be sent to Dr. Bitter. His address is: 203 PayneHall, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281.

540