Programming the Wang 700

Programs may be entered into the calculator memory in the "Learn", or "Learn and Print" modes. In Learn and Print mode, each program step entered will be printed. The printer must be "On" to use Learn and Print.

Each key pressed in Learn mode will be entered into the current program step, and the program step (Program Counter, or P.C.) will advance to the next step. Pressing PRIME will return to step 0000. The "Set P.C." key may be used to go directly to any program step. Press Set P.C. followed by 4 digits to select a program step. This maximum memory configuration has 1984 program steps, numbered 0000 through 1983.

Program editing functions (S.M., INS, B.S., DEL) are activated by "Run-Learn" mode, where both Run and Learn buttons are depressed. This mode functions nearly identically to Learn mode, except for the different functions assigned the PRIME, SET P.C., VERIFY PROG, and RECORD PROG keys.

Simulator Notes:

Run-Learn mode is entered by clicking Run down, then holding (your native keyboard) Shift key down while clicking Learn down (either order may be used).

Listing a Program

A program may be listed by going to "List Program" mode and pressing "GO" (actually, almost any key will start the listing). One of the "OutputWriter" devices must be connected. The program listing will continue until an END PROG code is encountered (not printed). In addition, the calculator will stop listing every 1000 steps (if you forgot to put an END PROG in your program, or your program is longer than 1000 steps).

Simulator Notes:

An OutputWriter device is connected using the "Devices" -> "Output Device..." menu.
A program listing may be saved to a file by using the Save menu option in the printer window. Note, a program listing cannot be loaded back into the calculator, only tape image files may be loaded.

Running a Program

A program may be run by going to "Run" mode (depressing the Run bushbutton) and pressing "GO". The display will normally be blank during program execution, however a program may use the codes "WRITE ALPHA 1/X" to pause for 0.75 second, allowing the current display contents to be seen.

Also, programs may use the STOP code to cause the program to stop. The user must press GO to continue running the program. This technique is often used to let the user enter variables for the program. It is common to CLEAR X before the STOP, in order to make the request for input obvious. Alternatively, a special, meaningful, value may be in the display (e.g. parameter number being requested).

A program will also stop when it encounters an END PROG code. however, the program cannot be resumed after that (only started over at beginning), as the program counter is reset to 0000.

Also note, having more than one END PROG code in a program can be a problem. Not the least of which is for the List Program mode, but also for recording programs to tape. Normally, if a program has multiple exit points they will all be branches to a single END PROG, and that is at the physical end of all program codes. (See SEARCH/MARK in Programming Techniques). In other words, there should not be any program codes after an END PROG. This also includes any extended register data that might be stored in the program. In addition, the INS and DEL functions for editing programs will depend on a single END PROG code, at the end of all valid code.

Also note that one of the extended registers has same number as the END PROG code (05 12). Accessing this register directly in a program will confuse List Program and the tape functions (and INS/DEL). This also applies to any "two step" program code that might have 05 12 as the second code.

Debugging a Program

Nothing is known about how debugging was done on the Wang 700 Series. There do not appear to be any trace facilities.