Self-Teaching Program for Focal

This document outlines a self-teaching program designed to help users learn the FOCAL programming language. Developed by H. R. Bungay, III at Clemson University in 1971, the program is intended to run on PDP-15 and PDP-8 computer systems.

The instructional method involves the user interacting with the FOCAL program, occasionally exiting to test commands, and returning to the program to learn new concepts. The document provides:

• Operating Instructions: Specific commands for interrupting, returning, and navigating the program, as well as handling common user mistakes.
• Course Content: A structured series of re-entry points covering fundamental concepts such as GO, WRITE, TYPE, arithmetic operators, SET, ASK, DO, IF, and FOR commands.
• Examples: The document includes code samples for practical applications, such as a desk calculator, an averaging program, and sub-routine execution.

The program material is modular to accommodate different memory limitations of the target hardware and encourages modification for personal use.