Introduction to Turbo BASIC Programming
Course Description: This course provides an introduction to Turbo BASIC, a fast and powerful
version of the BASIC programming language. Students will learn the syntax, core programming
structures, and application development using Turbo BASIC. The course emphasizes hands-on
programming skills, logical thinking, and problem-solving techniques.
Prerequisites: None, but basic computer literacy and logical thinking are recommended.
Course Duration: 10 weeks (3 hours per week)
Course Format:
Lectures
Hands-on coding exercises
Quizzes and assignments
Final project
Week 1: Introduction to Turbo BASIC and Setup
Objectives:
Understand the role of Turbo BASIC in the history of programming languages
Set up Turbo BASIC development environment
Topics:
What is Turbo BASIC? A brief history and overview
Installing Turbo BASIC or using a modern Turbo BASIC emulator
Navigating the Turbo BASIC IDE (Integrated Development Environment)
Writing and running your first Turbo BASIC program: PRINT "Hello, World!"
Assignment:
Write a program that outputs the message "Hello, Turbo BASIC!" to the screen.
Week 2: Variables, Data Types, and Operators
Objectives:
Learn to declare and use variables and constants
Understand the different data types and how to perform basic operations
Topics:
Variables and constants in Turbo BASIC
Basic data types: Integer, Single, Double, String
Declaring variables using DIM
Arithmetic operators: +, -, *, /, MOD, ^
Relational operators: =, <, >, <=, >=, <>
Assignment:
Write a program that declares different types of variables, performs calculations (e.g.,
sum, difference), and outputs the results.
Week 3: Input and Output
Objectives:
Learn how to take input from the user and display output
Topics:
INPUT statement: Getting user input
PRINT statement: Displaying output to the screen
Formatting output with TAB, ;, and ,
LINE INPUT for string input
Assignment:
Create a program that asks for the user's name and age, then prints a greeting message
using the INPUT and PRINT statements.
Week 4: Control Structures - Conditionals
Objectives:
Learn to make decisions in your program using conditional statements
Topics:
IF...THEN and IF...THEN...ELSE statements
SELECT CASE statement
Nested conditionals
Logical operators in conditionals
Assignment:
Write a program that asks for a user's score and outputs a grade (e.g., A, B, C, D, F)
based on a predefined scale.
Week 5: Loops and Iteration
Objectives:
Understand how to repeat tasks using loops
Topics:
FOR...NEXT loop: Iterating a set number of times
WHILE...WEND loop: Looping while a condition is true
DO...LOOP loop: Looping with more flexibility
EXIT statement to break out of loops
Assignment:
Write a program that calculates the sum of all even numbers between 1 and 100 using a
FOR loop.
Week 6: Arrays and Collections
Objectives:
Learn how to work with arrays in Turbo BASIC
Topics:
Declaring and using arrays in Turbo BASIC
One-dimensional and multi-dimensional arrays
Accessing, updating, and deleting elements in arrays
Practical use of arrays in solving problems
Assignment:
Write a program that stores 10 numbers in an array, calculates their average, and displays
the result.
Week 7: Subroutines and Functions
Objectives:
Learn how to organize and reuse code using subroutines and functions
Topics:
Introduction to subroutines and functions in Turbo BASIC
Using GOSUB and RETURN for subroutines
Creating and using functions with DEF FN and END FUNC
Passing parameters to subroutines and functions
Assignment:
Write a program that calculates the area of a rectangle using a function. The function
should take the length and width as arguments and return the result.
Week 8: File Handling
Objectives:
Learn how to work with files in Turbo BASIC
Topics:
Opening and closing files using OPEN, CLOSE
Reading from and writing to text files with INPUT, PRINT #, WRITE #
Appending data to files
Handling file errors
Assignment:
Write a program that reads a list of names from a file, stores them in an array, and then
displays the names.
Week 9: Advanced Topics - Graphics and User Interface
Objectives:
Learn how to create basic graphics and user interfaces in Turbo BASIC
Topics:
Drawing on the screen with PSET, LINE, and CIRCLE
Creating simple user interfaces with text and graphics
Handling mouse input in Turbo BASIC (optional, depending on version)
Assignment:
Write a program that draws a simple graphical representation of a house using basic
drawing functions.
Week 10: Final Project and Review
Objectives:
Review all topics covered in the course and apply them in a final project
Topics:
Recap of key concepts: Variables, loops, conditionals, arrays, subroutines, file handling
Final project guidelines and expectations
Final Project:
Develop a complete program using Turbo BASIC that incorporates multiple concepts,
such as file handling, graphics, and user input. Possible ideas include a text-based game,
a simple inventory system, or a calculator.
Assignment:
Submit the final project along with a short report explaining how the program works and
the concepts used.
Grading Breakdown:
Weekly Assignments: 50%
Final Project: 30%
Quizzes: 20%
Recommended Resources:
"Turbo BASIC Programming" by Jim S. Williams
Turbo BASIC Manuals (available online)
Turbo BASIC compilers and emulators, such as Turbo BASIC for DOS or Turbo BASIC
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