I would also recommend the Lein book. They are well written and introduces concepts quite well.
Check out some of the extra randomising functions that people have developed over the years as the built in RND function is not very random! In a dice program I wrote, I used the time between keypresses to help make the random number more random. It rolls up to 4 D6’s and seems to be reasonable random and could be modified to roll other dice types. From: M100 <m100-boun...@lists.bitchin100.com> On Behalf Of John R. Hogerhuis Sent: Tuesday, 7 January 2020 1:23 PM To: m...@bitchin100.com Subject: Re: [M100] Books on programming On Mon, Jan 6, 2020 at 4:01 PM James Zeun <james.z...@gmail.com<mailto:james.z...@gmail.com>> wrote: As cool as Google is, you know neither of you actually suggested a programming book :-P I'm hoping for hints, help, suggestions guys lol Oops, sorry about that. The way I learned was from the "Getting Started with Color BASIC" manual for the Color Computer. It was really fun and easy. You could learn from the Model 100 manual, it has has all the commands described. But it is not as easy. If I recall correctly it's more of a dictionary of commands than a tutorial on BASIC. I think the thing for the Model 100 is the Lien book https://archive.org/details/Model_100_Portable_Computer_Learners_Manual_1983_Compusoft_Publishing<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2FModel_100_Portable_Computer_Learners_Manual_1983_Compusoft_Publishing&data=02%7C01%7C%7C37ed438497034920c52108d79307aec8%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637139533512837098&sdata=PCnQZBRrCTUwxalQ4nvHvbf%2FFF8asBVLCz70mWDh0w0%3D&reserved=0> You could go through the whole thing from the beginning or start in the BASIC section. You're on the right track though, in my opinion. You're not thinking about programming so much as what you want to accomplish functionality wise. Maybe flesh out your goal as to how you want the program to function, and then we can guide you to syntax and concepts you will need. In general, programming comes down to understanding: a) Storage / Variables b) Sequential flow of control (one statement executing after another) c) Conditional control flow (alternate statements being executed depending on conditions) d) Loops e) Data structures f) Input/Output As a fun-down learning approach most programmers start with I/O. Print statements, graphics, sound commands, sending data in and out of ports, controlling lights and motors. 10 PRINT"I'M A PROGRAMMING GOD"; 20 GOTO 10 In BASIC, each program line starts with a "line number". This is the order in which BASIC will run your code unless you give it commands to the contrary. And each line consists of one or more program "statements" or instructions telling the computer what to do next is it executes your program. For a first version of your program, let's do a simplified program specification. Clear the screen Pick a random number between 1-20 Print it out Pick another random number between 1-20 Print it out The commands to research are CLS RND PRINT No loops or variables or anything complicated here. The simplest possible (and least flexible) version of your program specification. -- John.
