This book assumes that its readers are already familiar with the BASIC programming language. This book was written to take BASIC programmers to the next level with QuickBASIC.

QuickBASIC is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE -- the software IDE, not the hardware IDE) and compiler for the BASIC programming language that was developed by Microsoft for its DOS operating system.

QuickBASIC was loosely based on GW-BASIC but added user-defined types, improved programming structures, better graphics and disk support and a compiler in addition to the interpreter. Microsoft marketed QuickBASIC as the introductory level language for their BASIC Professional Development System.

Hergert's book teaches structured programming techniques through six application examples: (1) LIST is a utility that illustrates the use of QuickBASIC data types and data structures; (2) TWENTY-ONE is a game program the illustrates QuickBASIC's control structures, such as, decisions and loops; (3) SURVEY is an information-gathering and data-analysis program that illustrates the use of sequential data files in QuickBASIC; (4) EMPLOYEE is a database management program that illustrates the use of random access data files in QuickBASIC; (5) QUICKCHART is a chart-creating and table-creating utility that illustrates QuickBASIC's graphic commands; and (6) ADVANCEDMENU is a menu-driven user interface that illustrates the power of event trapping in QuickBASIC. ( )