"Best of Interface Age: Volume I, Software in BASIC"
Edited by Carl. D. Warren
Copyright 1979
ISBN: 0-918398-36-3


What an unusually named book.  With the subtitle "Software in BASIC," the 
reader would expect to find software written in the BASIC language.  That ISN'T 
what is included at all.  Instead, this 314 page book includes four BASIC 
interpreters.  Each program is QUITE lengthy and is written in assembly 
language for three different 8-bit CPUs that were popular in the mid-to-late 
1970's: Intel's 8080, Motorola's 6800, and National Semiconductor's SC/MP.

If you're looking for another book full of BASIC software, then look elsewhere.  
If you're interested in early 8-bit CPUs and would like to see how some of the 
computer pioneers used their often "assembly required" computers then this book 
is for you.

I've included the preface and the table of contents from the book:

Preface

     Several months ago, it became apparent that we should give serious thought 
to creating a "best of" series from the pages of Inter-face Age.  The idea 
seemed like it would not present a major problem at first, until we looked at 
the mountain of material we had available.  The quantity wasn't the only 
problem.  The decision had to be made on what was best, so it could be included 
in the reprint series.
     After careful consideration, with close attention being paid to readers' 
letters, the decision was made to create a "best of" series of "Interface Age" 
Classics.  What this meant was that rather than to create a huge, difficult to 
use book of just about everything, we are printing the classic software pieces 
and the ones that many readers said they would like to see.
     The four reprinted articles that you find in this volume are those 
classics.  Furthermore, they represent several different programming 
techniques.  At the same time, they provide the reader with some of the most 
useful software ever created.
     Chapter four, "The Great Experiment," offers the one piece of software 
that has been requested more than any other: the complete source listing of 
Uiterwyk's 4K BASIC.  It is an absolute classic.  The source code was released 
into the public domain by Mr. Uiterwyk for this software volume, so students of 
software could achieve maximum benefit from its use.  For this, we at 
"Interface Age" are extremely grateful.
     My staff and I are quite convinced that everyone who makes use of this 
first volume will find it invaluable in making better use of their systems.
     Volume 2 of this series is made up of additional general purpose software 
from some of the "Interface Age" authors you have enjoyed over the past few 
years.  Volumes 3 and 4 are dedicated specifically toward the small 
businessman.  These two volumes contain more business software than any book 
currently available today.
     To round out this current "best of" series, Volume 5, "Best of Interface 
Age- Things to Think About," contains those articles for the futuristic thinker 
and gadgeteer.  This volume contains reprints from Roger Garret's famous 
"Inventor's Sketchpad." Also included are short and useful software tips, along 
with some handy hardware articles.
     Interface Age has always been known as the leader in the publication of 
important and useful software and ideas.  We feel that the publication of this 
"best of" series will further enhance our leadership and provide you with 
hundreds of hours of enjoyment.

Carl Warren
Editor-In-Chief


Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Lawrence Livermore 8080 BASIC
   By Jerry Barber, Royce Eckard, John Dickenson, David Mead,
     and E. R. Fisher
   Original publication date: December 1976, January, February,
     and March 1977

Chapter 2 - Dr. Wang's Palo Alto TINY BASIC
   By Roger Rauskolb
   Original publication date: December 1976

Chapter 3 - National's TINY BASIC-- NIBL
   By Phil Roybal and Mark Alexander
   Original publication date: December 1976, January 1977

Chapter 4 - The Great Experiment-- Floppy ROM # 1
            Robert Uiterwyk's 6800 4K BASIC
   By Bill Turner and William Blomgren
   Original publication date: May, July 1977

Appendix A - General Software Index
   A comprehensive index of general purpose software printed
   in "Interface Age" since January, 1977

Appendix B - Available Back Issues
   A list of all the back issues that are still available, and
   how to obtain them.

Index