Instructions

194Compiler

Arithmetic Expressions

An arithmetic expression is a quantity of values connected by Operators. In this case quantities can

either be Figures, Variables or Functions.

A simple example:

2 + 3

Here the numerical values 2 and 3 are connected by the Operator "+". An arithmetic value again rep-

resents a value. In this case the value is 5.

Further examples:

a - 3

b + f(5)

2 + 3 * 6

Following the rule "Dot before Line" here 3 times 6 is calculated first and then 2 is added. This prior-

ity is in case of operators called precedence. A list of priorities can be found in the Precedence

Table.

Comparisons too are arithmetic expressions. The comparison operators return a truth value of

"1" or "0", depending on whether the comparison was true or not. The expression "3 < 5" yields the

value "1" (true).

Constant Expressions

An expression or portions of an expression can be constant. Portions of an expression can already

be calculated during Compiler runtime.

So e. g. the expression

12 + 123 - 15

is combined by the Compiler to

120.

In some cases expressions must be constant in order to be valid. E. g. also see Declaration of Ar-

ray Variables.

4.3.3 Data Types

Values always are of a certain data type. Integer values (integral values; whole numbered values) in

BASIC are of the 8, 16 or 32 Bit wide data type, floating point values are always 4 byte long.