I propose that Dartmouth's implementation of BASIC should be regarded as definitive, since they invented the language.

In Dartmouth BASIC, A and A() were distinct variables.

The single letter denoting a list or table name may also be used to denote a simple variable without confusion.

(In this context, "list" is a 1-dimensional array, "table" is a 2-dimensional array).

See this 1964 Dartmouth College Computation Center document, page 36.

I propose that Dartmouth's implementation of BASIC should be regarded as definitive, since they invented the language.

In Dartmouth BASIC, A and A() were distinct variables.

The single letter denoting a list or table name may also be used to denote a simple variable without confusion.

(In this context, "list" is a 1-dimensional array, "table" is a 2-dimensional array).

See this 1964 Dartmouth College Computation Center document, page 36.

It's true that the OP is specifically asking about Microsoft BASIC, but since he also asks in the final line "Anyone know what a real BASIC does here?", I think Dartmouth BASIC is relevant. Dartmouth BASIC is the real and original BASIC; any other implementation claiming language compatibility is obliged to follow suit in this respect.