Book excerpt: This book is a basic BASIC programming text. Intended primarily for beginners, experienced programmers also will find a few things of in terest. The VIC-20 is a simple and easy to use computer that may be coupled with this book to provide perhaps the most user-friendly and least intimidating introduction to programming possible. This book is designed to complement, not replace, the USER'S GUIDE that is included in the VIC-20 package. The USER'S GUIDE is primarily an introduction to the VIC-20 while this book is primarily an introduction to programming. Many of the available computer manuals include dozens of long pro grams for the reader to type in and use, but those programs don't necessarily further one's understanding of programming. Although most of the programs in this book are short (to save unnecessary typing on your part), they are the foundation for a complete understanding of BASIC programming that will enable you to build long programs de signed to do exactly what you want them to do.