* If the number of variables specified is fewer than the number of elements in the DATA statement(s), subsequent READ statements begin reading data at the next unread element. If there are no subsequent READ statements, the extra data is ignored.
* [[ACCESS]] READ can be used in an [[OPEN]] statement to limit file access to read only, preserving file data.
* '''WARNING! Do not place DATA fields after [[SUB]] or [[FUNCTION]] procedures! QB64 will FAIL to compile properly!'''
: Qbasic allowed programmers to add DATA fields anywhere because the [[IDE]] separated the main code from other procedures.
''Example 1:'' Placing data into an array.
{{CodeStart}}
{{Cl|DIM}} A(10) AS {{Cl|SINGLE}}
{{Cl|FOR...NEXT|FOR}} I = 1 {{Cl|TO}} 10
{{Cl|READ}} A(I)
{{Cl|NEXT}} I
{{Cl|FOR...NEXT|FOR}} J = 1 {{Cl|TO}} 10
{{Cl|PRINT}} A(J);
{{Cl|NEXT}}
{{Cl|END}}
{{Cl|DATA}} 3.08, 5.19, 3.12, 3.98, 4.24
{{Cl|DATA}} 5.08, 5.55, 4.00, 3.16, 3.37 '' ''
{{CodeEnd}}
{{OutputStart}}
3.08 5.19 3.12 3.98 4.24 5.08 5.55 4 3.16 3.37
{{OutputEnd}}
:''Explanation:'' This program reads the values from the DATA statements into array A. After execution, the value of A(1) is 3.08, and so on. The DATA statements may be placed anywhere in the program; they may even be placed ahead of the READ statement.
''Example 2:'' Reading three pieces of data at once.