Yeah.  I think TIBD has a tutorial that was pretty helpful, although it gets a bit complicated in some parts.  Don't be afraid to experiment - there's almost no way that BASIC can mess up your calc - it was intentionally designed to be safe.

Oh, and as you're testing stuff out, the manual's pretty helpful for syntax. Chapter 18's for programming commands, I think.

2) As mentioned, I'm interested in learning to program my Ti-84+. Where exactly should I begin? I know there is Ti-Basic, Axe, and ASM, and I'm interested in learning ASM, but I know I should start with Basic or Axe. Which one would do you guys think I should begin with? I have some BASIC experience, if that would help. Also, what is the best tutorial/learning resource for the language advised?

Under no circumstances should you have ASM as your first language. It's about as user friendly as a cactus is huggable, if not less so. Basically, if you mess up in Assembly, at the very least you will clear your RAM. At the worst, you'll no longer have a working calculator. I'd recommend starting with BASIC first, because Axe has most of the same problems as Assembly, but in a more user friendly format. With either ASM or Axe, you'll get used to seeing the RAM clear screen very quickly. BASIC, on the other hand, is like a pair of safety scissors. It's nearly impossible to cut yourself, but they're excellent for learning how to use scissors safely.

Some of the best tutorials on TI-BASIC can be found here. I keep some of the pages bookmarked for my occasional relapses into BASIC. If you need help with anything, though, just ask on Omnimaga. The forums at TI dev are almost dead, so you aren't likely to get as much help there.

Once you've learned the basics of BASIC (pun intended), then you should consider making the transition to a more powerful language such as Axe or ASM. There are also things BASIC can do that no other calc language can without significant effort, namely floating point math. The math you're used to from school is completely different from the math you need to code ASM or even Axe, largely as a result of the fact that decimals don't exist in those languages.

Quote from: Deep Thought on November 12, 2010, 01:58:40 pm

Oh, and as you're testing stuff out, the manual's pretty helpful for syntax. Chapter 18's for programming commands, I think.

Which manual? The Ti-84+ manual from the Ti web site?

The one that came with your calc. The one online seems even less user-friendly, for some reason

EDIT: But don't rely on it to learn commands. Try random stuff, and when you get ERR:SYNTAX (you definitely will, and >9000 times), look it up

The only manual that came with my calc is the Getting Started Guide for Ti-84+ and Ti-84+ SE. Unless the manual is on the software disc packaged with the calc, I think I may be missing it

The only manual that came with my calc is the Getting Started Guide for Ti-84+ and Ti-84+ SE. Unless the manual is on the software disc packaged with the calc, I think I may be missing it

Really? Maybe TI cut that too?

The white thing that's moderately thick? That should be it. If not, then the website I linked has a complete listing of the syntax of all of the commands.

Well, the guide is white and moderately thick, but I don't see any syntax listing. Do you know what page it might be on?

Chapter 18 (I think, might be chapter 16 or 17) is all about the programming functions.

The Getting Started Guide I have doesn't even have chapters. I definitely must be missing the manual you are referring to. Do you have a Ti-83? Because it sounds like the Ti-84s did not get bundled with the manual. I guess I'll just have to use TIBD for command reference. It's a shame though, because I usually prefer reading physical material over digital for these types of things.