TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Knowing Date
Volume Number:1
Issue Number:2
Column Tag:BASIC SCHOOL

“Does Anybody Really Know What Date It Is?”

By Dave Kelly, Program by Michael Steiner

“Does Anybody Really Know What Date It Is?”

REAL stand alone (almost) applications can now be written in Basic. Microsoft Basic version 2.0 includes the required routines to make your Macintosh look just like those fancy assembly language application programs. This months feature includes a useful example of what Microsoft Basic 2.0 can do. After waiting months for the Mac development tools we need, we can now use them to keep track of all those months with a perpetual calendar.

The program written by Michael Steiner, will give you a quick overview of some of the features of Microsoft Basic 2.0. I found that I preferred editing the Basic listing with MacWrite and saving the file as text. Microsoft Basic will read MacWrite text files and MacWrite will read Microsoft Basic programs stored as text.

Anyone who has used the previous versions of Microsoft Basic will be glad to know that programs they have written for version 1.0 will work on version 2.0, however they won’t take advantage of the extended features without modification. The most noticeable feature is the ability to control all the pull down menus.

Type in the program and run it. The program opens a window to full screen size and then erases all the menus used by Basic. Then a second window opens up and displays instructions. The “OK” button was programmed with the one line BUTTON command. DIALOG(0) and DIALOG(1) return information about the status of the button or buttons. With a few simple lines you can design your own dialog windows and set up buttons to select various options.

After clicking the “OK” button, the program displays a set of options available using the various button styles available. If you don’t want to print a whole year you can deselect the “Entire year” option. The programmed menus let you select the beginning and ending months to print. You can program your own menus by using the MENU command. By issuing the appropriate parameters with the menu command you can enable or disable various menu option. MENU(0) and MENU(1) provide the means to poll the status of the menu selection. We will explore the MENU command in depth in future columns.

Notice that you can change the date by simply clicking and editing the date in the year box. All the Macintosh editing functions are easily invoked. In fact, the year box works just like the type and creator boxes in the Set File utility. Obviously Basic 2.0 can create applications that appear just like stand-alone programs. This language may be even more powerful than Apple’s Mac Pascal.

After selecting the options you want, click the “OK” button and the program prints each month to the screen one at a time. If you selected the “Show Julian” option, the Julian date will be printed along with the calendar. There is no option to print the calendar on the printer, however you can use the command-shift 4 option to print the window or modify the program yourself to print to the printer. Another feature you can try adding is to create another button for scrolling the calender back and forth. Be sure to share any ideas you come up with for Basic with our readers by writing me care of MacTech. Happy New Year!


‘**********************************
‘               Perpetual Calendar
‘Copyright 1984, Michael Steiner, All Commercial Rights Reserved 26 Oct 
84
‘Permission is granted to use, copy, and modify this program for your 
own personal use
‘Modified and comments by David Kelly 
‘**********************************

WINDOW 1,””,(0,12)-(512,342),3  ‘Open full screen window
sm=1:em=12  ‘Initial start and end months
oldsm=sm:oldem=em
DIM status (2,12)
FOR i = 5 TO 1 STEP -1   ‘Erase all the basic menus
  MENU i,0,0,””
NEXT i

instructions:
  WINDOW 2,””,(3,70)-(509,270),3    ‘Open 2nd window
  WIDTH 62
  PRINT
  PRINT”This program will generate a calendar for any year from 1753 
onward.”
  PRINT”You may choose whether you want to display Julian Dates as well 
as the days ofthe month.  You may select to print the whole year or you 
may choose starting   and ending months.”
  PRINT:PRINT”Click OK when you have finished reading these instructions.”
  BUTTON 1,1,”OK”,(210,150)- (250,170),1  ‘ Set up button #1
  WHILE  DIALOG(0) <>1 :WEND  ‘ Wait for button #1

setup:
  WINDOW 2,””,(50,100)-(450,200),2   ‘Change 2nd window and open it
  TEXTFACE (1)
  MOVETO 250,15:PRINT”Show Julian”:MOVETO 250,30:PRINT “Date?”
  BUTTON 1,1,”Yes”,(250,40)-(300,60),3        ‘Set up buttons
  BUTTON 2,2,”No”,(250,65)-(290,85),3
  BUTTON 3,2,”Print Entire year”, (50,60)-(200,80),2
  BUTTON 4,1,”OK”,(360,60)-(390,80),1
  MOVETO 50,40:PRINT”Year”
  TEXTFACE (0)
  EDIT FIELD 1,RIGHT$(DATE$,4), (90,30)-(130,45),2  ‘Set up Edit field 
with current year
  DATA January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, 
October, November, December
  DIM month$(12)
  FOR i = 1 TO 12:READ month$(i):NEXT i  ‘Read the months
  BStatus=1:GOSUB EntireYear
  DialogActive = 1
  WHILE DialogActive
    EventType = DIALOG(0)   ‘See if a button is pressed
    IF EventType = 1 THEN GOSUB ButtonEvent
    MenuId = MENU(0)    ‘See which menu is selected
    IF MenuId THEN GOSUB ChooseMonth
  WEND
  Year = VAL(EDIT$(1)):IF Year < 1753 THEN Year = 1753  ‘Get year data
WINDOW CLOSE 2
 
calendar:
  MENU 1,0,0,””  ‘Clear menu 1
  MENU 2,0,0,””  ‘Clear meun 2
  BUTTON 1,1,”Continue”, (50,305)-(125,325),1   ‘Set up button 1
  BUTTON 2,1,”Quit”,(350,305)- (400,325),1 ‘Set up button 2
 TEXTSIZE(12):TEXTFACE(0): TEXTMODE(1)   ‘Set font attributes
  DATA 31,28,31,30,31,30,31,31,30, 31,30,31
  DIM dm(12):FOR mo=1 TO 12: READ dm(mo):NEXT mo ‘Read # of days/month
  DIM M$(12) :FOR MO=1 TO 12: M$(MO)=month$(MO) :NEXT MO
  DATA SUN,MON,TUE,WED,THU,FRI,SAT
  DIM DAY$(7):FOR DAY = 1 TO 7: READ DAY$(DAY):NEXT DAY   ‘Read days 
of week
  DM(2) =DM(2) -(YEAR/4 =INT(YEAR/4)) +(YEAR/100= INT(YEAR/100)) -(YEAR/400= 
INT(YEAR/400))   ‘Add a day for leap year
  DIM jd(12)
  FOR i= 1 TO 12: jd(i)=jd(i-1)+ dm(i-1):NEXT I
  Y= INT(((365.25*YEAR+jd(sm))/7- INT((365.25*YEAR+jd(sm))/7))*7- 1.2499999#)
  IF Y<0 THEN Y=Y+7
  CALL PENSIZE (3,3)
  FOR M=sm TO em
    dy=jd(m)
    CLS’  Draw the calendar
    FOR I = 1 TO 7:LINE (5,I*40+10)- (481,I*40+10):NEXT I
    FOR I = 0 TO 7:LINE (I*68+5,50)- (I*68+5,290):NEXT I
    TEXTSIZE (24): TEXTFACE (17)’  Set calendar font attributes
    CALL MOVETO (130,34): PRINT M$(M);”   “;YEAR;
    TEXTSIZE (12):TEXTFACE(1)
    FOR I= 0 TO 6: CALL MOVETO (I*68+10,49): PRINT DAY$(I+1):NEXT I
    FOR DM = 1 TO DM(M)
      TEXTFACE(9):TEXTSIZE(18)
      CALL MOVETO (Y*68,X+71):PRINT DM: IF JU THEN GOSUB JulianPrint
      Y=Y+1:IF Y>6 THEN Y=0:X = X+40
    NEXT dm
    WHILE DIALOG(0) <> 1 :WEND   ‘Wait for button press
      IF DIALOG(1)=2 THEN M=em
      X=0
  NEXT M
 
EndRoutine:              ‘Set up End menu
 WINDOW CLOSE 1
  MENU 1,0,1,”Options”
  MENU 1,1,1,”Re-run Program”
  MENU 1,2,1,”Exit to Finder”
  WHILE MENU(0) = 0:WEND   ‘Wait till selection is made
IF MENU(1)=1 THEN RUN : ELSE SYSTEM  ‘Return to Finder
 
ButtonEvent:
  ButtonId = DIALOG(1)
  IF ButtonId=4 THEN DialogActive=0
  ON ButtonId GOSUB Julian, NoJulian, EntireYear
RETURN

Julian:   ‘Set button for Julian year print
    BUTTON 1,2
    BUTTON 2,1
    JU=-1
RETURN
 
NoJulian:  ‘Set button for Julian no print 
    BUTTON 1,1
    BUTTON 2,2
    JU=0
RETURN
 
EntireYear:  ‘Set beginning month to Jan. & Ending month to Dec.
  IF BStatus = 1 THEN BStatus =2:sm=1:em=12:ELSE BStatus = 1
  FOR ms = 1 TO 2:FOR st= 0 TO 12: status(ms,st)=ABS((BStatus=1)): NEXT 
st,ms
  BUTTON 3,BStatus
  MENU 1,0,status(1,0),”Starting Month”
  FOR i= 1 TO 12
    MENU 1,i,status (1,i),month$(i)
  NEXT i
  MENU 1,sm,2,month$(sm)
 
Endmonth:
  MENU 2,0,status(2,0),”Ending Month”
   FOR i = 1 TO 12
      MENU 2,i,ABS(sm<(i+1)),month$(i)
   NEXT i
   IF em >= sm THEN MENU 2,em,2,month$(em)
RETURN
 
ChooseMonth:
  ItemId = MENU(1)
  IF MenuId=1 THEN oldsm=sm: sm=ItemId:MENU 1,0,1: MENU 1,sm,2,month$(sm): 
IF oldsm<>sm THEN MENU 1,oldsm,1,month$(oldsm)
  IF MenuId=1 THEN GOSUB EndMonth
  IF MenuId=2 THEN oldem=em: em=ItemId: MENU 2,0,1: MENU 2,em,2,month$(em):IF 
oldem<>em OR oldem> sm THEN MENU 2,oldem, ABS(oldem>=sm),month$(oldem)
  IF em<sm THEN em=sm: MENU 2,em, 2,month$(em)
RETURN
 
JulianPrint:    ‘Print Julian year
    dy=dy+1
    dy$=RIGHT$(STR$(year),1)+ RIGHT$(“00”+MID$(STR$(dy),2),3)
    dy=VAL(dy$)
    TEXTSIZE (12):TEXTFACE (0)
    CALL MOVETO (Y*68+10,X+85)
    PRINT dy$;
RETURN


 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Fresh From the Land Down Under – The Tou...
After a two week hiatus, we are back with another episode of The TouchArcade Show. Eli is fresh off his trip to Australia, which according to him is very similar to America but more upside down. Also kangaroos all over. Other topics this week... | Read more »
TouchArcade Game of the Week: ‘Dungeon T...
I’m a little conflicted on this week’s pick. Pretty much everyone knows the legend of Dungeon Raid, the match-3 RPG hybrid that took the world by storm way back in 2011. Everyone at the time was obsessed with it, but for whatever reason the... | Read more »
SwitchArcade Round-Up: Reviews Featuring...
Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round-Up for July 19th, 2024. In today’s article, we finish up the week with the unusual appearance of a review. I’ve spent my time with Hot Lap Racing, and I’m ready to give my verdict. After... | Read more »
Draknek Interview: Alan Hazelden on Thin...
Ever since I played my first release from Draknek & Friends years ago, I knew I wanted to sit down with Alan Hazelden and chat about the team, puzzle games, and much more. | Read more »
The Latest ‘Marvel Snap’ OTA Update Buff...
I don’t know about all of you, my fellow Marvel Snap (Free) players, but these days when I see a balance update I find myself clenching my… teeth and bracing for the impact to my decks. They’ve been pretty spicy of late, after all. How will the... | Read more »
‘Honkai Star Rail’ Version 2.4 “Finest D...
HoYoverse just announced the Honkai Star Rail (Free) version 2.4 “Finest Duel Under the Pristine Blue" update alongside a surprising collaboration. Honkai Star Rail 2.4 follows the 2.3 “Farewell, Penacony" update. Read about that here. | Read more »
‘Vampire Survivors+’ on Apple Arcade Wil...
Earlier this month, Apple revealed that poncle’s excellent Vampire Survivors+ () would be heading to Apple Arcade as a new App Store Great. I reached out to poncle to check in on the DLC for Vampire Survivors+ because only the first two DLCs were... | Read more »
Homerun Clash 2: Legends Derby opens for...
Since launching in 2018, Homerun Clash has performed admirably for HAEGIN, racking up 12 million players all eager to prove they could be the next baseball champions. Well, the title will soon be up for grabs again, as Homerun Clash 2: Legends... | Read more »
‘Neverness to Everness’ Is a Free To Pla...
Perfect World Games and Hotta Studio (Tower of Fantasy) announced a new free to play open world RPG in the form of Neverness to Everness a few days ago (via Gematsu). Neverness to Everness has an urban setting, and the two reveal trailers for it... | Read more »
Meditative Puzzler ‘Ouros’ Coming to iOS...
Ouros is a mediative puzzle game from developer Michael Kamm that launched on PC just a couple of months back, and today it has been revealed that the title is now heading to iOS and Android devices next month. Which is good news I say because this... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

Amazon is still selling 16-inch MacBook Pros...
Prime Day in July is over, but Amazon is still selling 16-inch Apple MacBook Pros for $500-$600 off MSRP. Shipping is free. These are the lowest prices available this weekend for new 16″ Apple... Read more
Walmart continues to sell clearance 13-inch M...
Walmart continues to offer clearance, but new, Apple 13″ M1 MacBook Airs (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) online for $699, $300 off original MSRP, in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold colors. These are new MacBooks... Read more
Apple is offering steep discounts, up to $600...
Apple has standard-configuration 16″ M3 Max MacBook Pros available, Certified Refurbished, starting at $2969 and ranging up to $600 off MSRP. Each model features a new outer case, shipping is free,... Read more
Save up to $480 with these 14-inch M3 Pro/M3...
Apple has 14″ M3 Pro and M3 Max MacBook Pros in stock today and available, Certified Refurbished, starting at $1699 and ranging up to $480 off MSRP. Each model features a new outer case, shipping is... Read more
Amazon has clearance 9th-generation WiFi iPad...
Amazon has Apple’s 9th generation 10.2″ WiFi iPads on sale for $80-$100 off MSRP, starting only $249. Their prices are the lowest available for new iPads anywhere: – 10″ 64GB WiFi iPad (Space Gray or... Read more
Apple is offering a $50 discount on 2nd-gener...
Apple has Certified Refurbished White and Midnight HomePods available for $249, Certified Refurbished. That’s $50 off MSRP and the lowest price currently available for a full-size Apple HomePod today... Read more
The latest MacBook Pro sale at Amazon: 16-inc...
Amazon is offering instant discounts on 16″ M3 Pro and 16″ M3 Max MacBook Pros ranging up to $400 off MSRP as part of their early July 4th sale. Shipping is free. These are the lowest prices... Read more
14-inch M3 Pro MacBook Pros with 36GB of RAM...
B&H Photo has 14″ M3 Pro MacBook Pros with 36GB of RAM and 512GB or 1TB SSDs in stock today and on sale for $200 off Apple’s MSRP, each including free 1-2 day shipping: – 14″ M3 Pro MacBook Pro (... Read more
14-inch M3 MacBook Pros with 16GB of RAM on s...
B&H Photo has 14″ M3 MacBook Pros with 16GB of RAM and 512GB or 1TB SSDs in stock today and on sale for $150-$200 off Apple’s MSRP, each including free 1-2 day shipping: – 14″ M3 MacBook Pro (... Read more
Amazon is offering $170-$200 discounts on new...
Amazon is offering a $170-$200 discount on every configuration and color of Apple’s M3-powered 15″ MacBook Airs. Prices start at $1129 for models with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage: – 15″ M3... Read more

Jobs Board

*Apple* Systems Engineer - Chenega Corporati...
…LLC,** a **Chenega Professional Services** ' company, is looking for a ** Apple Systems Engineer** to support the Information Technology Operations and Maintenance Read more
Solutions Engineer - *Apple* - SHI (United...
**Job Summary** An Apple Solution Engineer's primary role is tosupport SHI customers in their efforts to select, deploy, and manage Apple operating systems and Read more
*Apple* / Mac Administrator - JAMF Pro - Ame...
Amentum is seeking an ** Apple / Mac Administrator - JAMF Pro** to provide support with the Apple Ecosystem to include hardware and software to join our team and Read more
Operations Associate - *Apple* Blossom Mall...
Operations Associate - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple Read more
Cashier - *Apple* Blossom Mall - JCPenney (...
Cashier - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple Blossom Mall Read more
All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.