Atari 400 Basic Reference Manual

HardW"are:
Increment:
Initialize:
Input:
Interactive:
Interface:
IOCB
I/0:
K:
KeyW"ord:
Language:
Memory:
Menu:
Microcomputer:
Monitor:
Null String:
OS:
Output:
Parallel:
Peripheral:
The physical apparatu s and electronics that make up a computer.
Increase in value (usually) by adding one. Used a lot for counting (as
in counting the number of repetitions t hrough a loop).
Set
to an initial or starting value. In Atari BASIC, all non-array
variables are initialized to zero when the command RUN is given. Ar-
ray and string elements are not initialized.
Information transfer to the computer. Output is information transfer
away from the computer. In this manual, input and output are
always in relation to the computer.
A system that responds quickly to the user, usually within a second
or two . All personal computer systems are interactive.
The electronics used to allow two devices to communicate.
Input / Output Control Block. A block of data in RAM that tells the
Operating System the information it needs to know for an I/0 opera-
tion.
Short for input / output, I/0 devices include the keyboard, TV
monitor, program recorder, printer, and disk drives.
Stands for "kilo" meaning "times 1000". Thus 1 KByte is (approx-
imately) 1000 bytes . (Actually 1024 bytes.) Also, the device type code
for the Keyboard.
A word that has meaning as an instruction or command in a com-
puter language, and thus must not be used as a variable name or at
the beginning of a variable name.
A set of conventions specifying how to tell a computer what to do.
The part of a computer (usually RAM or ROM) that stores data or in-
formation.
A list of options from which the user may choose.
A
computer based on a microprocessor chip; in Atari's case, the 6502.
The television receiver used to display computer output.
A string consisting of no characters what ever.
Abbreviation for Operating System. This is actually a collection of
programs to aid the user in controlling the computer. Pronounced
"oh ess".
See
1/0.
Two or more things happening simultaneously. A parallel interface,
for example, controls a number of distinct electrical signals at the
same time. Opposite of serial.
An I/0 device. See 1/0 .
Appendix G-3

Atari 400 Specifications

General

Manufacturer	Atari
Model	400
Type	Home Computer
Release Year	1979
CPU	MOS Technology 6502
CPU Speed	1.79 MHz
ROM	10 KB
Operating System	Atari OS
Keyboard	Membrane keyboard
RAM	8 KB (expandable to 48 KB)
Graphics	ANTIC and GTIA chips
Sound	4 channels
Display	RF output for connection to TV
Storage	Optional cassette tape drive or floppy disk drive
Ports	Cartridge
Display Resolution	320x192 (16 colors)