The Easy Way to Program Your New Computer

ZX Computing

Patrick Cain

There was a time I was naive enough to think people wrote books only because they had something worthwhile to say. Perhaps at a later time in life I will understand why people write books only for other reasons. Until then it baffles me why Tim Hartnell has released, 'The Easy Way to Program Your New Computer', Interface Publications, for in it Tim has nothing to say that he hasn't already said more effectively many times before. As the title suggests the book is not intended for any computer in particular rather it is a general approach to the BASIC language, or part of it for although many of BASIC'S commands are covered some are gapingly amiss which makes it rather surprising to find out later that their use is highly recommended. The approach of the text to each command explained can less not be faulted: the method of description and example is sound and Tim uses the technique well "to make complex subjects easy to understand", come on though, Tim, isn't there a more logical example than THE US OF A No.1' to explain a FOR.... NEXT loop. Yes it confused me too. Instead of being close on two hundred pages of useful advice on understanding programming this book is half of that with a further one hundred pages of interesting but mostly useless info on computers. The lack of an index makes finding the worthy parts even harder. And that is the real pity for with over 30 books already to his credit the author has many useful things to say about computers and programming. I only wish he had waited until he had enough for an entire book. 'The Easy Way To Program Your New Computer' is written by Tim Hartnell and published by Interface. ISBN 0 907563 600.

Personal Computer News

JB

'The easy way to program your new computer' by Tim Hartnell, published by Interface Publications at £3.95 (paperback 202 pages). For any recruit to computing the choice of books is most confusing. Tim Hartnell's latest offering is clear, concise and will take you through programming step by step. In simple stages, you are gently led through the way the computer works and onto programming. Some programs supplied are old favourites like Life and Dice, accompanied by explanation notes. The programs - which should work with most micros - are written in Basic, and in order to cope with various machines, a very basic Basic. I was rather disappointed that more than 30 pages of the book were devoted to the history of computing. The information was useful but it didn't fit the general theme. From a beginner's point of view, the book seems to stop when I was keen to continue. But the author's style was an example to manual writers, who could do worse than follow his plain English approach and ability to make the topic appealing. The 'further reading' section was a disappointment since the emphasis is on American publishers. Despite all this, the book would make a good starting point, though most beginners will soon outgrow it.