The original version of SiMPLE (which has been available since the late 1990s) was intended to be used only on 32-bit computers (since those were the only kind of PCs that were available back then). A newer version of SiMPLE (which can be used on either 32-bit computers or 64-bit computers) is now available. (The rules for writing programs in this newer version of SiMPLE are virtually the same as those for the "old" original version of SiMPLE.)

Take Me to the Website for the Newer Version of SiMPLE

The remainder of this webpage (and its links) deal
primarily with the older (obsolete) version of SiMPLE.

What Does a SiMPLE Program Look Like?

A SiMPLE program is merely a text file containing a set of instructions that tell your computer what you want it to do. (This text file is usually referred to as a "source listing".)

Before we look at an example of a SiMPLE program, let's first take a look at the famous "Hello World" program that almost all beginning C++ programmers write as their very first program:

#include <iostream.h> int main () { cout << "Hello World!" << endl; return 0; }

Now let's see what this very same program would look like if it were written in SiMPLE:

Display "Hello World!"

Yes, that single line would be the entire program! (Perhaps you can now begin to understand why we call our programming language "SiMPLE".)

But let's take a peek at a somewhat more interesting and less trivial example. Below, you see the source listing for a SiMPLE program that launches a rocket through a field of twinkling stars. It then explodes the rocket when it hits a UFO at the top of the screen.* (Don't worry if you don't yet understand SiMPLE programming. Everything will become quite clear by the time you've finished reading the SiMPLE Tutorial.)

Source Listing Do n = 240 To 25 Call stars @ Call rocket (320, 2*n, -3) @ Call ufo (295+n, 25, -8) @ Call delay (20) Loop n Call explode (320, 35) @ Call quit Append G: toys

*( You wouldn't even want to see what it would take to write this exact same program in C++ ! )

How Do I Run a SiMPLE Program?

SiMPLE provides you with a choice of two ways in which you can run programs. The easiest (and most fun) way is to use the "Drag & Drop" capability. (Or, if you prefer a more traditional method, you can run programs in "Command-line" mode. Click here to see how.)

To run the above example program by using the "Drag & Drop" method, merely perform the following three steps (after you've installed SiMPLE):

Copy the source listing into the Windows Clipboard. Use any text editor (such as Windows Notepad) to paste the Clipboard into a new text document. Drop that text document onto the "Drop SiMPLE Listing Here" icon.* *(The new SiMPLE uses a "toy block" icon instead of a "target" icon.)

Now, isn't that easy? In fact, SiMPLE's "Drag & Drop" capability makes running a program as easy as "one-two-three":

1-Copy ... 2-Paste ... 3-Drop!

Summary...

SiMPLE provides you with hundreds of easy-to-use "software building blocks" (similar in concept to the little "snap-together" plastic blocks in a LEGO construction set), and with a set of built-in tutorials that show you how to use them. By using these pre-written software modules ("rocket" "ufo" "explode" etc.) computer programming can become a "snap" for just about anyone! And, as your programming abilities increase, you will discover that SiMPLE even lets you create your own new software building blocks. (For example, our SiMPAINT tool provides you with a fun and easy way of using your mouse to create your own new image modules that can be used with SiMPLE.)

Is SiMPLE only for kids? Definitely not! [We only say that it's "for kids" so that we don't scare away the adults!   ]  SiMPLE is not merely a "toy" or some watered down "scripting" language. SiMPLE is a powerful software tool that everyone should know how to use.

SiMPLE is the "Volks-Language" of the twenty-first century!  And it's Free!!

So, start unleashing your creativity! Create your own computer art, music programs, animations, sound effects, colorful screen-savers ... even your own computer games! With SiMPLE, there's almost no limit to what you can accomplish! And who knows ... you just might end up becoming the next "Bill Gates!" (Knowing how to write computer programs is how he got started!!!)

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