Seeking out errors

Any manual which gives details of the version of the BASIC language applicable to a particular microcomputer will list the possible errors which can be detected and the messages which BASIC sends you on their detection. Some of these messages are fairly easy to understand; the word syntax covering a wide variety of errors in many cases but usually indicating that a misuse of the BASIC language has taken place. This often happens when keywords are either mis-spelt, used in the wrong way or keywords which do not exist in your version of the language have been used. The program listed in example 2.1 is a case in point.