Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange (A.P.P.L.E.) has released a new manual for the Apple II programming language Blankenship BASIC by John Blankenship. Beyond improved readability from modern typesetting, this 80 page manual makes using, understanding, and expanding the programming language easy. John assisted us with this release, and he is eager to see how people expand their programs.
Blankenship BASIC, last released 1987, expands the power of Applesoft BASIC by vastly expanding available commands and capabilities for Apple II programmers of all levels. Programs are written with a sophisticated line editor and complete compiler. BASIC will be easier, faster, more structured, more fun, and especially more useful.
Availability
Blankenship BASIC is available through the A.P.P.L.E. bookstore with production and fulfillment by Lulu.com. A disk image for the programs is available on the Apps page.
Software Features
- Table of Contents.
- Compatibility with existing Applesoft programs, and features that fit into 8K of memory, while requiring only 2K from the main system.
- Works with DOS 3.3, ProDOS, DAVID DOS, Diversi-DOS, etc.
- CHAIN programs of unlimited size while enjoying improved garbage collection within your programs.
- Structured Programming: DEFINE-PERFORM named procedures, REPEAT-UNTIL, WHILE-ENDWHILE, IF-THEN-ELSE-ENDIF.
- Convenience Commands: PRINT.USING, RANDOMIZE, INKEY, INLINE, SOUND, and BELL.
- Graphics Commands: DRAW.USING, HSCRN, BOX, BOXFILL.
- Performance Commands: SORT, SWAP, SEARCH, and INSTR$ that make the program’s speed a top priority.
Author
John Blankenship taught programming, robotics, and engineering technology at DeVry University for 33 years. He holds a Masters Degree in Electronic Engineering Technology from Southern Polytechnic State University, an MBA from Georgia State University, and a BSEE from Virginia Polytechnic State University. During his early teaching years, John created Blankenship BASIC for the Apple II computer and other programs like Speech Development System. He wrote magazine articles for publications such as Byte, and numerous Apple books including Apple House, Robotic Arm Projects, and Structured BASIC Programming in BBASIC. After retiring from DeVry, he wanted to develop better methods for teaching and motivating precollege students. John, along with colleague Samuel Mishal, developed RobotBASIC for Windows – a programming language ideally suited to the educational environment. And, because of their desire to contribute to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) movement, John and Sam continue to make RobotBASIC available to schools, teachers, and students absolutely free from RobotBASIC.org.
Producers
Brian Wiser — A producer of books, films, games, and events, as well as an Apple consultant, historian and archivist. Designer, editor, and co-producer of dozens of books including: Nibble Viewpoints: Business Insights From The Computing Revolution, Cyber Jack: The Adventures of Robert Clardy and Synergistic Software, Synergistic Software: The Early Games, Graphically Speaking: Enhanced Edition, What’s Where in the Apple: Enhanced Edition, and The WOZPAK Special Edition: Steve Wozniak’s Apple-1 & Apple II Computers. Brian is also the author of The Etch-a-Sketch and Other Fun Programs. Producer/Director of the documentary film “Done The Impossible: The Fans’ Tale of Firefly & Serenity“, his Browncoat Cruise convention with Firefly cast, and an extra in the movie “Serenity.” Co-producer of Beagle Bros and Applied Engineering websites, the retro iOS game Structris, and co-producer/writer for CallAPPLE.org and Call-A.P.P.L.E. magazine.
Bill Martens — Apple historian and enthusiast, programmer, President of Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange (A.P.P.L.E.) and co-producer of Call-A.P.P.L.E. magazine, and books like: Cyber Jack, Synergistic Software: The Early Games, Nibble Viewpoints, The WOZPAK Special Edition, and What’s Where in the Apple: Enhanced Edition. Bill also co-produced and co-programmed the retro iOS game Structris. Bill is the author of ApPilot/W1, Beyond Quest, The Anatomy of an EAMON, and multiple EAMon adventure games. He is a systems engineer specializing in office infrastructures and has been programming since 1976. And he is the production editor for the A.P.P.L.E. website CallAPPLE.org, writes science fiction novels in his spare time, and is a retired semi-pro football player.
Publisher
Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange (A.P.P.L.E.) has been a global Apple user group since 1978, with membership peaking near 50,000 in 1985. Offering many services, A.P.P.L.E. is also a book publisher and game developer, and has produced dozens of new book titles since 2013 and over 100 Apple software titles.
A.P.P.L.E. published the The WOZPAK Special Edition – a detailed book containing Steve Wozniak’s restored handwritten notes and printouts about his Apple II computer, as well as forewords from Steve Wozniak and other Apple legends. They also publish books such as: Graphically Speaking: Enhanced Edition by Mark Pelczarski, Tome of Copy Protection, Cyber Jack: The Adventures of Robert Clardy and Synergistic Software, Synergistic Software: The Early Games, Nibble Viewpoints: Business Insights From the Computing Revolution by Mike Harvey, What’s Where in The Apple: Enhanced Edition, The Colossal Computer Cartoon Book: Enhanced Edition by David H. Ahl, A.P.P.L.E. 1978 and 1979 magazine Compendiums, and the retro iOS game Structris.
Press information is available at: www.callapple.org/press
