Notes注意事项A problem solver with little or no knowledge of computers or programming can learn to write BASIC programs at a remote terminal or mircrocomputer keyboard in a short period of time.一个要解决问题的人，无论有没有计算机或者编程知识，都能用很短的时间在远程终端或计算机键盘上编写BASIC语言程序。It is also easy to insert changes and additions into a BASIC program在BASIC程序中插入修改也是很容易的。BASIC is now by far the most popular high-level language used in microcomputer system.目前，BASIC是微机系统中最为通用的一种高级程序语言。Interpreters are generally used in microcomputer systems to translate BASIC instructions into machine-langage code.解释程序通常在微机系统中用来把BASIC指令翻译成机器代码。FORTRAN ( Formula translator) is a popular language for mathematical and scientific computation.FORTRAN在数学和科学计算中是一种普遍使用的语言。Its numerical abilities are strong( particularly its ability to handle complex numbers) although it is weak in handling character strings .It is of moderate difficulty to learn and use.它的数值处理能力很强（尤其是处理复数的能力），不过处理字符串的能力较弱，学习和使用这种语言的难度适中。BASIC is widely used in today's microcomputer systems.BASIC泛用于当今的微机系统中。BASIC was originally designed as a teaching language loosely based on FORTRAN and is simple to learn.它最初被设计成一种教学语言，在大体上以FORTRAN为基础简单易学。However ,its capabilities are limited compared to most other high-level languages.然而，与大多数其它高级语言相比较，它处理能力是有限的。The higher language goes by different names.各种高级语言可依据不同的名字来区分。FORTRAN(FORmula TRANslation) was the first.FORTRAN（公式翻译）是最早出现的高级语言，and nwo we also have ALGOL (algorithmic Language)目前，我们还有ALGOL（算法语言），BASIC ( Beginner's ALL-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code)BASIC（初学者通用符号指令代码），COBOL ( Common Business Oriented Language)COBOL（面向公共商业的语言），LISP(LIST Processing) PASCAL and ADA ( named after Ada Lovelace Charles Babbage's assistant)LISP（表处理），PASCAL及ADA（以查尔斯·巴贝奇的助手Ada· Lovelace之名而定名）。Each has been designed to meet a particular purpose;每一种语言都被设计用来满足特定的目的：FORTRAN, PASCAL ,ALGOL and BASIC are mathematically oriented.FORTRAN、PASCAL、ALGOL和BASIC都是面向数学计算的。COBOL is used for commercial purposes.COBOL则用于商业。