Atari XL User Manual

CHAPTER 3
FIRST STEPS
Before you can make use of your Atari, you must
find out how to communicate with it.
Communication is a two-way process: you must
give the Atari instructions, and you must be able to
find out how it responds to them. You give
instructions using the keyboard, and the computer
displays its response on the TV screen.
Type the following phrase on the keyboard:
PRINT "ATARI XL"
You will see the letters appear on the screen as you
press the keys. The light blue square - called the
cursor - will move to indicate where the next letter
you type will appear. Nothing else happens
though: the computer has not yet obeyed your
instruction.
Now press the RETURN key. The words ARI
XL' appear on the screen, and the word is
printed to tell you that the computer is waiting for
your next command. If instead of printing
XL' the computer prints 0, or prints and
reprints your instruction, it means you have made
a typing mistake. Try again!.
So, to give the Atari a direct command you type it
at the keyboard and press RETURN. Try another
command:
8

Atari XL Specifications

General

Brand	Atari
Model	XL
Category	Desktop
Language	English