Decimal BASIC Q&A
- Q.
- Why doesn't Decimal BASIC allow LET omissions?
- A.
- In BASIC, the substitution sentence has a promise to start with LET in order to realize that the equal sign in the substitution statement has a different meaning than the original equal sign. Decimal BASIC was created as a first-class language, so we respect this promise.
- Q.
- Isn't writing like x^-2 allowed in Decimal BASIC?
- A.
- Microsoft's syntax allows writing like x^-2, but adopting a syntax that allows such writing simplifies the structure of the compiler or interpreter, so in languages other than Full BASIC, this kind of syntax is often adopted. However, BASIC has a promise that a^b^c means (a^b)^c, so if you decide to allow a writing method like x^-2， a^-b^c means a^(-b^c), which causes confusion for beginners. As a result, Full BASIC uses a syntax that does not allow writing like x^-2, despite the complexities of the compiler structure.
