VPython is a PythonLanguage distribution that includes the language, "an enhanced version of the Idle interactive development environment" and a module called 'Visual', which "offers real-time 3D output, and is easily usable by novice programmers". * http://vpython.org/ * http://vpython.org/VisualOverview.html It is pitched as a learning tool for physics undergraduates. ---- It introduces a RealBasic, a Basic with a compiler and supporting ObjectOrientation. It uses loop constructs While ... Wend For ... Each Do ... Loop It is easy to guess what the For and While loops do. But the Do loop is different. It can be identical to a While loop, but allows you to place the test at the end of the loop if you choose. So Count = 0 While Count < 100 Count += 1 Item = Extract(Row(Count)) Wend is the same as Count = 0 Do Until Count = 100 Count += 1 Item = Extract(Row(Count)) Loop is the same as Count = 0 Do Count += 1 Item = Extract(Row(Count)) Loop Until Count = 100 It makes me wonder why, if they were enhancing the language anyway, they did not go for one clear and comprehensive manually iterated loop construct. loop {statements} Repeat where statements include loop terminating statements of Until {condition} and While {condition} So the above could be implemented as Count = 0 Loop Count += 1 Until Count > 100 Item = Extract(Row(Count)) Repeat and it allows for a common refactoring to be implemented clearly - when we want to exit the loop on another condition, in a different place, which is usually handled by an exit statement of some sort, obscured from visual scan. Count = 0 Loop Count += 1 Until Count > 100 Item = Extract(Row(Count)) While Item.Exists Repeat This is the manually iterated loop construct in PickBasic. Though this is not a common perspective of it. -- PeterLynch ----