Basic Functions

The basic functions are the fundamental toolset for all programs. They provide arithmetic operations, comparisons, logical operators, and type conversions. Unlike function blocks, these functions are stateless: they compute a result immediately and return it.

Mathematics

ABS(x): absolute value.

PROGRAM  
    DIM v AS INT = -42  
    PRINT ABS(v) ' Output: 42  
END PROGRAM

SQRT(x): square root.

PROGRAM  
    PRINT SQRT(9.0) ' Output: 3.0  
END PROGRAM

SIN(x), COS(x), TAN(x): trigonometric functions (radians).

PROGRAM  
    PRINT SIN(3.14159/2) ' ≈ 1.0  
    PRINT COS(0.0) ' = 1.0  
END PROGRAM

EXP(x), LN(x), LOG(x), EXPT(x,y): exponential and logarithmic functions.

PROGRAM  
    PRINT EXP(1.0) ' Output: 2.718...  
    PRINT LN(2.718) ' ≈ 1.0  
    PRINT LOG(100.0) ' Output: 2.0  
    PRINT EXPT(2.0, 3) ' Output: 8.0  
END PROGRAM

Comparison & Logic

MAX(a,b), MIN(a,b): larger/smaller of two values.

PROGRAM  
    PRINT MAX(3,7) ' Output: 7  
    PRINT MIN(3,7) ' Output: 3  
END PROGRAM

LIMIT(min,x,max): clamp value to interval.

PROGRAM  
    DIM v AS INT = 120  
    PRINT LIMIT(0,v,100) ' Output: 100  
END PROGRAM

SEL(sel,a,b): select based on BOOL.

PROGRAM  
    DIM useB AS BOOL = TRUE  
    PRINT SEL(useB, 10, 20) ' Output: 20  
END PROGRAM

Logical operators:

PROGRAM  
    DIM a AS BOOL = TRUE  
    DIM b AS BOOL = FALSE  
    PRINT AND(a,b) ' Output: FALSE  
    PRINT OR(a,b) ' Output: TRUE  
END PROGRAM

Conversions

TO_INT(x): integer conversion (truncate).

PROGRAM  
    PRINT TO_INT(3.9) ' Output: 3  
END PROGRAM

TO_REAL(x): floating-point conversion.

PROGRAM  
    PRINT TO_REAL(42) ' Output: 42.0  
END PROGRAM

TO_BOOL(x): 0 → FALSE, non‑zero → TRUE.

PROGRAM  
    PRINT TO_BOOL(0) ' Output: FALSE  
    PRINT TO_BOOL(5) ' Output: TRUE  
END PROGRAM

TO_STRING(x): convert to string.

PROGRAM  
    DIM v AS INT = 42  
    PRINT CONCAT("Value=", TO_STRING(v))  
    ' Output: Value=42  
END PROGRAM

Exercises with Solutions

Task 1: Compute absolute value of -42.

PROGRAM  
    PRINT ABS(-42) ' Output: 42  
END PROGRAM

Task 2: Clamp a value to range 0‑100.

PROGRAM  
    DIM v AS INT = 120  
    PRINT LIMIT(0,v,100) ' Output: 100  
END PROGRAM

Task 3: Convert number to string and print.

PROGRAM  
    DIM v AS INT = 42  
    PRINT CONCAT("Value=", TO_STRING(v))  
    ' Output: Value=42  
END PROGRAM

Summary

• Math functions cover basic arithmetic.
• Comparison & logic functions support safe decision‑making.
• Conversions are strict and saturating.
• All functions are deterministic and can be used directly in expressions.