User`s guide

E-Prime User’s Guide
Chapter 4: Using E-Basic
Page 125
examined using the Full tab in the Script window within E-Studio, or by loading an existing EBS
file into E-Run.
4.1.1.1 Introduction to Programming
Regardless of programming experience, every user should follow the same basic steps when
writing script.
Design
It is critical to thoughtfully plan the desired result, rather than assuming how it will work. Often the
simple act of creating a flow chart to represent the experiment can help to remain focused on the
task, and not be overwhelmed with the experiment as a whole. It is extremely helpful to think of
an experiment in logical pieces rather than the sum of its parts. This is true of experiments in
general, but more so of script.
Implement First Segment
Once the task is broken into segments, begin to implement just the first portion or segment.
Often users will try to do too much and they lose sight of the relatively simple steps required to
reach the goal. Start simple. For instance, if the goal is to display a question on the screen then
collect and score the response, the flowchart might resemble:
Step 1: display a word on the screen
Step 2: display a question on the screen
Step 3: collect a response
Step 4: score the response.
It is helpful to get through step one before moving on to step two and so on. Start small and build
on a solid foundation.