Turbo Basic

Metastatements, like the switches in the compiler Options submenu, control thecompiler at compile time rather than the computer at runtime. Metastatements arepreceded by a dollar sign ($) to differentiate them from ordinary statements. Therecan be only one metastatement per line, and unlike some other compiled BASICs,they are not placed inside REMarks.The Directory FormatEach directory entry contains a description, the syntax, general remarks, and anexample using the statement, function, or procedure. Where appropriate, relatedentries are cross-referenced, any use restrictions are outlined, and any differencesbetween Turbo Basic's and Interpretive BASIC's use of an item are noted.Following are the syntax description conventions used in the alphabetical commandreference.numeric expressionA numeric constant, numeric function, or numeric variable, or a combinationthereof, using arithmetic, logical, and relational operators. Sometimes.the type of anumeric expression is specified; for example, integer expression. Examples include:16x16 * xSIN(3.14159)SIN(x 1(16 * x»string expressionA string constant, string variable, or string function, or a combination thereof,optionally including the concatenation operator, the plus sign (+). Examplesinclude:"Cat"a$ + "Cat"LEFT$(a$ + "Cat",4)filespecA string expression describing an MS-DOS file name (eight characters with anoptional three-character extension preceded by a period, case insignificant), possiblyincluding a drive and/or path specification. Except where noted, file namesmust be expressed as string variables or enclosed in double quotes; for example:"MYFIRST. BAS""turbobas\myfirst.bas""a:\turbobas\myfirst.bas"116 Turbo Basic Owner's Handbook