This paper examines the structure of the Applesoft BASIC programming language and the Macintosh authoring language, HyperCard, and scrutinizes the language structures as the building blocks for moving along a chain of cognitive outcomes that culminates in the acquisition of problem solving skills which allow the programmer to learn new formal systems and transfer already learned skills to solving problems in other languages. The language features of each are summarized in terms of the concepts of mode, command statements, data storage, program control, math functions, and documentation, and similarities and differences are indicated. An instructional program written in HyperCard was duplicated as closely as possible in BASIC to use as a case study in order to examine the similarities and differences between the two languages. The content of the program consists of a telephone questionnaire from an applied social research study. Step-by-step instructions are given to the interviewer (the program user) as an interview is conducted. Getting the respondent on the phone, asking for permission to participate in the study, six survey questions, ways to document answers, and the interview's closing comments were included. It was found that, in general, although both languages allow for user friendly programs, overall HyperCard was easier to program to allow for user friendly features. (13 references) (DB)