Direct mode

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Direct mode is a computing term referring to the input of textual commands outside the context of a program. The command would be executed immediately and the results printed on screen, in contrast to programming mode where nothing would be executed until the RUN command was given (RUN is an example of a direct mode command.) Some commands could be used in either mode, others were exclusive to one or the other. Direct mode was most often used on 8-bit systems such as the Commodore 64 and Atari 800 series, though modern interpreted languages like Python and Perl include shells where commands may be entered for immediate evaluation and execution.

[edit] Example

Non-direct mode:

10 PRINT "HELLO WIKIPEDIA"

READY.

RUN

HELLO WIKIPEDIA

READY.

Direct mode:

PRINT "HELLO WIKIPEDIA"

HELLO WIKIPEDIA

READY.