Copyright 1984 by ABComputing
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	       This  column  gathers tidbits, comments, questions, and
	  reminders that would otherwise be scattered in PCFL.

	       You  may  wish  to  print  this	file and answer simple
	  questions  on the hardcopy. More extensive answers should be
	  reserved for a separate sheet of paper.

	       (  This	is  a postage paid file - I have enclosed a 20
	  cent stamp for your use! )


				ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
				³ 20 cents ³
				³**********³
				³U.S Snail ³
				³**********³
				ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ

ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
³ Tidbits			   ³
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ

	  1.   PCFL  is  developing  a list of products marketed under
	  the FREEWARE(tm) approach. This list will contain the names,
	  addresses,  and  product  descriptions of all such companies
	  notifying us.

	  2.   Syncon, a manufacturer of magnetic media, is publishing
	  INFOSCAN,   a  monthly  guide  to  magazine  articles  about
	  microcomputers.  To  request	your  free  subscription  call
	  (800) 843-9862.

	  3.   January	16, 1984, Computerworld: "ADA nearly ready for
	  IBM  micro."  Alsys,  Inc.,  of Waltham, MA, should have two
	  validated  ADA compilers ready by the end of this year ( one
	  for 8086 systems; the other for Motorola 68000 systems ).

	  4.   The  January  1984  issue  of THE AMERICAN MATHEMATICAL
	  MONTHLY has the article "What is Lisp" by Mitchell Wand. The
	  article  demonstrates how sample Lisp programs may be PROVED
	  correct using mathematical induction.

	  5.   I   want   PCFL	 to   be   available  on  the  SOURCE.
	  Unfortunately,  the  SOURCE  does  not  support the extended
	  character graphics used in PCFL.EXE.

	       Programs  exist to translate EXE modules to HEX format,
	  and  vice  versa,  but  this	is  a  clumsy  approach.  Your
	  suggestions are requested.

ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
³ Reminders			   ³
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	  1.   PCFL  needs  articles,  book reviews, software reviews,
	  and more. If you could author such a work, then contact:

		     ABComputing
		     P.O. Box 5503
		     North Hollywood, CA 91616-5503
		     ATTENTION: Bill Salkin


	  Our phone number is (818) 509-9002.

	       Contributions  to  any  column  are invited. Especially
	  needed are writers in BASIC, C, FORTH, PASCAL, and the 8087.
	  Articles  on RATFOR and the UCSD-p operating system are also
	  sought.

	  2.   PCFL  does  answer  questions. "FIRE" your questions to
	  ABComputing!

	  3.   Let's  start  a  list of high quality computer products
	  that cost under $100. Send in your contenders. This list can
	  serve as a source for product reviews.

	  4.   As  mentioned  in  the Introduction, some products have
	  documentation that needs "triple by-pass" surgery to make it
	  readable. Send in your list today.

	  5.   Also,  send  your  contenders  for  the BEST documented
	  programs.

	  6.   If  your  company would consider distributing issues of
	  PCFL, contact us.

ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
³ Questions			   ³
ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ

	  ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
	  ³ Tidbytes	   ³
	  ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ

	  1.   Explain what "structured programming" means to you.

	  2.   How  do	you determine the name of a subroutine? I have
	  seen	"retrieve_file,"  "get_file,"  "get_file_and_key," and
	  "find_file."  The  "name  it  -  based on its function" is a
	  standard  approach, but it isn't always successful, as these
	  illustrations  show.	Anyone	for  sub_1, sub_2, sub_3, etc?
	  (That is, use a numeric sequence.)

	  3.   It  is  generally  regarded  as	a  bad practice to use
	  "goto"  statements  in  a  program.  Do  you agree with this
	  sentiment? Why?

	  4.   When  in 80X25 text mode on a color monitor, writing to
	  the  video  buffer can cause "snow." The first issue of PCFL
	  waits  for  the  start  of the "vertical retrace," turns the
	  video beam off, writes to video ram, and then turns the beam
	  on.  This  eliminates  the  "snow" but unfortunately impairs
	  scroll speed.

	       Future  issues  of  PCFL  may wait for the start of the
	  "horizontal  retrace,"  write one character, and continue in
	  this	manner	until an entire panel is moved into video ram.
	  Test	cases  indicate  that this approach can furnish faster
	  scrolling than by waiting for the vertical retrace.

	       Can  you suggest other methods for reducing "snow" that
	  will not impair the scrolling?

	  5.   BASIC  is a commonly used computer language despite the
	  criticism it has received from many parties. Why is BASIC so
	  popular?

	  6.   PCFL  will develop into a project development magazine.
	  What projects would you like us to design?

	  7.   What  programs  would  you  like  to see in our GRABBAG
	  section?

	  ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
	  ³ Hardware	   ³
	  ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ

	  8.   How much RAM does your PC have?

	       ______ K


	  9.   Do you use single- or double-sided drives?

	       Single ______	  Double ______

	  ÚÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ¿
	  ³ Columns  ³
	  ÀÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÙ

	  10.  Which column in PCFL did you find the most interesting?
	  The least interesting?

	  11.  What new columns would you like us to consider?





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		     ³ File Name:  ÛÛ  writeus.txt  ÛÛ	³
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om a library. You use labels for lines you
      want  to	refer  to,  so	you  can call subroutines by na