Supplemental Reference Books and Disks for Macintosh BASIC (20566)




This article was previously published under Q20566

SUMMARY

This article lists books helpful for programming in Microsoft BASIC Interpreter versions 2.00, 2.10, and 3.00, Microsoft BASIC Compiler version 1.00, and Microsoft QuickBASIC versions 1.00, 1.00a, 1.00b for Apple Macintosh.

MORE INFORMATION

The following book is a completely integrated, low-cost self-study system that contains everything needed to learn BASIC programming (including a copy of the QuickBASIC Interpreter):

"Learn BASIC for the Apple Macintosh Now," by Michael Halvorson and David Rygmyr. 496 pages, one 800K 3.5-inch disk. Published October 17, 1990, from Microsoft Press.

The following book contains information about programming in Microsoft QuickBASIC version 1.00 for the Apple Macintosh. This book is specific to QuickBASIC for the Macintosh and contains information that is not applicable to the earlier Microsoft BASIC interpreters and compiler for Macintosh (such as ToolBox statement trap calls, MBLC's, code resources, and color):

"Microsoft Macintosh QuickBASIC: A Structured Approach," by Harvey M. Deitel & Paul J. Deitel, Prentice-Hall (1990).

The three Microsoft Press books listed below were published in 1985 to explain how to program in the Macintosh BASIC Interpreter versions 2.00 and 2.10. There is an optional companion disk for each book. These books are no longer published by MS Press, but should be available from public libraries, college libraries, or stores that sell used books.

These books are also excellent references for programming in later versions of BASIC for the Macintosh (including Microsoft BASIC Interpreter version 3.00, Microsoft BASIC Compiler version 1.00, or QuickBASIC version 1.00):

  1. The following book is an excellent, definitive tutorial for programming in BASIC for Macintosh for both beginning and advanced programmers:

    "Microsoft Macinations," Microsoft Press (1985).

    This book is the best supplement to the manual available. It teaches how to take full advantage of Macintosh BASIC Interpreter version 2.00 or 2.10.
  2. The following book and its optional companion disk contain a set of utilities, games, and other diversions written in Macintosh BASIC:

    "Macintosh Midnight Madness," by Mitchell Waite, Microsoft Press (1985).

  3. The following book and its optional companion disk help intermediate programmers develop creative programming skills:

    "Creative Programming in Microsoft BASIC for Optimal Macintosh Performance," by Steve Lambert, Microsoft Press (1985).

These three books do not discuss using QuickBASIC's MBLC routines or the similar Toolbox library routines found in the "ToolLib" file in BASIC interpreter version 3.00 or BASIC compiler version 1.00. To learn how to use the Toolbox routines, please refer to the many excellent demonstration programs on the BASIC or QuickBASIC disk.

For more complete technical information about Macintosh Toolbox ROM routines, please see "Inside Macintosh" by Apple Computer, a five-volume set of books published by Addison-Wesley. See also "How to Write Macintosh Software: The Debugging Reference for Macintosh" Second Edition, by Scott Knaster, published by Hayden Books (1988). The examples in these books are mainly in Pascal, C, and assembly language.
Modification Type: Minor Last Reviewed: 1/8/2003
Keywords: KB20566
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