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The classic way to test out a BASIC interpreter was to see how it parses "FORK=ATOM".

BCC Basic is parsing it as FOR K = ATOM and complains that "TO" is missing.

Applesoft Basic is parsing it as FOR K = A TO M, and adds spaces when you list it back.

C64 Basic is parsing it as FOR K = A TO M as well, but does not add spaces when you list it back.

QBASIC and GWBASIC are parsing "fork" and "atom" as variable names.



Yeah the parsing for some of the BASICs was weird at times. Some auto-capitalised terms whereas others would list that as a syntax error or some other error. Some even allowed you to abbreviate terms. Locomotive BASIC allowed you to use something like a question mark (I forget the exact punctuation but I think it was a question mark) in place of a PRINT command.




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