Color BASIC: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox programming language

{{Refimprove|date=March 2009}}

| name = Color BASIC

'''Color BASIC''' is the implementation of [[Microsoft BASIC]] that is included in the [[Read-only memory|ROM]] of the Tandy/Radio Shack [[TRS-80 Color Computer]]s ("CoCos") manufactured between 1980 and 1991. [[BASIC]] (Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) is a high level language with simple syntax that makes it easy for novices to write simple programs. BASIC is interpreted, that is, decoded as it is run. Because of this, it is simple to edit and [[debug]] but performance is significantly lower than a compiled language such as [[C (programming language)|C]] or [[assembly language]].

| title =

| designer = [[Bill Gates]]<ref name=80usinterviewbillgates>[https://archive.org/stream/80-U.S._Volume_IV_Number_3_1981-05_80-Northwest_Publishing_US#page/n9/mode/2up 80-U-S. Interviews Bill Gates of Microsoft], 80-U.S. - Volume IV Number 3 (1981-05)(80-Northwest Publishing)(US), Page 8. ''Most recently he completed the work on the Radio Shack color computer. He is most excited about the Extended Color Basic package he wrote.''</ref>

| developer = [[Microsoft]]

| released = {{Start date and age|1980}}

| latest release version = Color BASIC 1.3 (1982)<br />Extended Color BASIC ("ECB") (1984)<br />Disk Extended Color BASIC ("DECB") (1984)

| programming language =

| platform = [[TRS-80 Color Computer]]

| operating system =

}}

'''Color BASIC''' is the implementation of [[Microsoft BASIC]] that is included in the [[Read-only memory|ROM]] of the Tandy/Radio Shack [[TRS-80 Color Computer]]s manufactured between 1980 and 1991. [[BASIC]] (Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) is a high level language with simple syntax that makes it easy to write simple programs. Color BASIC is [[Interpreter (computing)|interpreted]], that is, decoded as it is run.

==Background==

Color BASIC 1.0 was released with the original 4k TRS-80 Color Computer in 1980. It resides on 8k bytes of ROM, and is responsible for all 'housekeeping' duties on the system. This includes hardware initialization, memory management, etc. Like most implementations of BASIC, each line of code starts with a line number and consists of one or more statements with variables and operators. 16k of memory is required for the next level of BASIC, Extended Color BASIC. ("ECB") Extended BASIC is required for the floppy disk controller, which then gives you Disk Extended Color BASIC. ("DECB")

==Background==

==Russian roulette==

[[Image:CoCo3system.jpg|thumb|Disk Extended Color BASIC 2.1 on a [[Tandy Corporation|Tandy]] [[Color Computer 3]]]]

a color BASIC program from the original Color BASIC manual gives the commands for a Russian roulette game

The nucleus of Color BASIC was [[Microsoft BASIC#BASIC-68 and BASIC-69|Microsoft BASIC-69]] which Tandy licensed from Microsoft. Color BASIC 1.0 was released with the original 4k TRS-80 Color Computer in 1980. It resides on 8k bytes of ROM, and is responsible for all 'housekeeping' duties on the system. This includes hardware initialization, [[memory management]], [[interrupt]] processing, etc. Like most implementations of BASIC, each line of code starts with a line number and consists of one or more statements with [[variable (computer science)|variables]] and operators. 16k of memory is required for the next level of BASIC, [[Extended Color BASIC]] ("ECB"). Extended BASIC is required for the [[floppy disk controller]], which then gives you [[Disk Extended Color BASIC]] ("DECB"). Emulators of the Color Computers running this interpreter and the others are available for modern computers, some of which require a "snapshot" file of the physical machine.<ref>MESS</ref>

<source lang="sdlbasic">

10 PRINT "CHOOSE YOUR CHAMBER(1 TO 10)"

20 INPUT X

30 IF X = RND(10) THEN 100

40 SOUND 200, 1

50 PRINT --CLICK--

60 GOTO 10

100 PRINT "SORRY, YOUR DEAD."

</source>

==Variables==

Color BASIC understands one type of numeric variable and [[String (computer science)|string]] variables. Variable names in Color BASIC have the first two characters significant. The first character of the variable name must be a letter. The second can be either a letter or number. String variables are indicated by adding a dollar sign ($) after the variable name.

===Examples===

<sourcesyntaxhighlight lang="sdlbasicbasic">

A=5

A$="THIS IS A STRING"

Line 27:

BB$="HELLO!"

ZZ=1.54

</syntaxhighlight>

</source>

Numeric variables have only one type, a binary floating point implementation. Each numeric variable consumesuses 5 bytes of memory and can be in the range from -1E+38 up to 1E+37.

Unlike most implementations of Microsoft BASIC, Color BASIC requires the user to reserve space for string variables via the CLEAR statement.

Multidimensional arrays are also supported with both numeric and string variables. In the case of an array, the element address is enclosed with a parenthesis:

<source lang="sdlbasic">

Multidimensional [[Array (data structure)|arrays]] are also supported with both numeric and string variables. In the case of an array, the element address is enclosed with a parenthesis:

<syntaxhighlight lang="basic">

A(1)=1

A$(1)="BOOKS"

</syntaxhighlight>

</source>

Multiple dimensions are separated by commas

<sourcesyntaxhighlight lang="sdlbasicbasic">

A(1,3)=4

A$(2,2)="XYZ123"

</syntaxhighlight>

</source>

==Operators and Symbols==

Color BASIC provides several operators for both mathematic and, to a lesser extent, string operations.

:+ can be used to [[concatenation|concatenate]] strings or for mathematical addition<br>

:- is used for subtraction<br>

:<nowiki>*</nowiki> is used for multiplication<br>

:/ is used for division<br>

Parenthesis ( ) are used to override mathematical order of operation

:AND is used for logical 'and' operations<br>

:OR is used for logical 'or' operations<br>

:NOT is used for logical 'not' operations<br>

For testing, the following operators are used:

:<nowiki>=</nowiki> is equal to<br>

:> is greater than<br>

:< is less than<br>

:>= is greater than or equal to (also => is acceptable)<br>

:<= is less than or equal to (also =< is acceptable)<br>

:<> is not equal to (also >< is acceptable)<br>

Other symbols used in BASIC:

:" " indicates string data is a constant (static)<br>

:''':''' separates multiple commands on a single program line<br>

:A semicolon, when encountered in a PRINT function, will cause the output to remain on the same line<br>

:A comma, when encountered in a PRINT function, will tab to the next column<br>

==Key==

Line 78 ⟶ 80:

''device number'' indicates a device. By default, device 0 (screen and keyboard) is assumed. In Color BASIC, device #-1 (cassette) and #-2 (printer) are available to the programmer.

==Edit mode==

If you make a mistake typing in a line, you can either retype it from scratch (or DEL it).. or you can EDIT it.

When in EDIT mode, you get a reprint of the line, and a second copy that you SPACEbar across chars. You cannot use arrow keys. backspace takes you left, but does not actually erase it in the buffer. 'i' puts you in insert mode. pressing return gets you out of it. 'c' changes one char, 'd' deletes one char. 'x' takes you to end of line, allowing you to e'x'tend it. 'l' redraws the line. 's' searches for the next instance of a character. For the 's', 'c' and 'd' commands you can also enter a number (#) before pressing any of them which will: 's' - search for the # instance of the character, 'c' - allow you to change # of characters, 'd' - delete # amount characters.

==Functions==

''';<code>ABS(''num'')'''</code>: returns the [[absolute value]] of ''num''<br>

''';<code>ASC(''str'')'''</code>: returns the [[ASCII]] code of the first character in ''str''<br>

''';<code>CHR$(''num'')'''</code>: returns a single string character with the ASCII code ''num''<br>

''';<code>EOF(''device number'')'''</code>: returns 0 if the file has data, or -1 if at the end of the file<br>

''';<code>INKEY$'''</code>: returns a character if a key on the keyboard has been pressed, or null if nothing is pressed<br>

''';<code>INT(''num'')'''</code>: returns the [[integer]] portion of ''num''<br>

;<code>INSTR(''startpos,search str,target str'')</code>: searches for the first string, in the target str. startpos is optional.

'''JOYSTK(''num'')''' returns the position of the joystick axis (0-3) with a value from 0 to 63<br>

'''LEFT$;<code>JOYSTK(''str'',''num'')'''</code>: returns the firstposition of the joystick axis ("left"0-3) ''num''with charactersa ofvalue stringfrom ''str''<br>0 to 63

'''LEN;<code>LEFT$(''str''),''num'')</code>: returns the lengthfirst (in"left") ''num'' characters) of string ''str''<br>

;<code>LEN('''MEM'str'')</code>: returns the availablelength free(in memorycharacters) inof bytes<br>string ''str''

;<code>MEM</code>: returns the available free memory in bytes

'''MID$(''str'',''start num'',''length num'')''' returns a sub-string of string ''str'' beginning at position ''start num'' and ''length num'' characters long<br>

;<code>MID$(''str'',''start num'',''length num'')</code>: returns a sub-string of string ''str'' beginning at position ''start num'' and ''length num'' characters long. Can also reassign by adding ="newvalue"

'''PEEK(''num'')''' returns the value of the memory ___location ''num'' (0-65535)<br>

'''POINT;<code>[[PEEK and POKE|PEEK]](''x num,y num'')'''</code>: returns the colorvalue of the semigraphicsmemory dot at position___location ''x numm'' (0-63) and ''y num'' (0-3165535)<br>

'''RIGHT$;<code>POINT(''str''x num,''positiony num'')'''</code>: returns the endcolor ("right")of portionthe of[[semigraphics]] stringdot at position ''strx numm'' beginning(0-63) at characterand ''positiony num''<br> (0-31)

'''RND;<code>RIGHT$(''numberstr''),''position num'')</code>: returns athe random numberend (integer"right") betweenportion 1of andstring ''str'' beginning at character ''position num''<br>

'''SGN;<code>RND(''numnumber'')'''</code>: returns thea signrandom ofnumber a(integer) numberbetween 1 and ''num'', 1 if positive, -1 if negative, 0 if 0<br>

'''SIN;<code>SGN(''num'')'''</code>: returns the sinesign of a number ''num'', in1 radians<br>if positive, -1 if negative, 0 if 0

'''STR$;<code>SIN(''num'')'''</code>: returns athe stringsine of the number ''num''<br> in radians

;<code>STR$(''num'USR(')</code>: returns a string of the number ''num'')
;<code>USR(''num'')</code>: calls a [[machine language]] [[subroutine]] whose address is stored in memory locations 275 and 276. ''num'' is passed to the routine, and a return value is assigned when the routine is done<br>

==Commands==

''';<code>AUDIO [ON|OFF]'''</code>: Connects or disconnects cassette audio from the TV sound<br>

''';<code>CLEAR ''variable space''[,''highest memory ___location'']'''</code>: reserves memory for string variables, and optionally, a machine language program<br>

''';<code>CLOAD ["''name''"]'''</code>: loads BASIC program from cassette. If no name is specified, the next program is loaded<br>

''';<code>CLOADM ["''name''"]'''</code>: loads machine language program from cassette. If no name is specified, the next program is loaded<br>

''';<code>CLOSE [''device number'']'''</code>: closes a device (in Color BASIC this can only be #-1, the cassette)<br>

''';<code>CLS(''num'')'''</code>: clears the screen. An optional color ''num'' (0-8) can be specified<br>

''';<code>CONT'''</code>: continues a program after pressing BREAK or a STOP statement<br>

''';<code>CSAVE ["''name''"]'''</code>: saves a BASIC program to cassette with optional name<br>

''';<code>DATA ''var,var,var...'''''</code>: stores data in a BASIC program for retrieval with the READ command<br>

''';<code>DIM ''variable''(''dimension''[,''dimension 2'',...]'''</code>: dimensions an array and reserves memory space for it<br>

''';<code>END'''</code>: indicates the end of a BASIC program<br>

''';<code>EXEC'''</code>: [''memory address''] executes the machine language program at ''memory address''. If none specified, the execute address of the program loaded off tape is used<br>

;<code>INPUT [''device number''] [''{prompt text}'';] ''variable'' [,''variable 2'', ''variable n'']</code>: Waits for input from ''device number''. If not specified, device 0 (keyboard) is assumed. An optional prompt can be printed on the screen for the input statement

'''[[For loop|FOR]] ''{num}'' = ''{number}'' TO ''{number}'' [STEP ''{number}'']''' <br>

;<code>LIST [''starting line''] - [''ending line'']</code>: lists line(s) of your program. Either start or end can be omitted, or if both are omitted, the entire program will be listed

'''... NEXT ''(num)''''' creates a loop where the numeric variable ''(num)'' runs from start number to end number in increments of number (STEP). If step is omitted, 1 is assumed<br>

;<code>LLIST [''starting line''] - [''ending line'']</code>: works like LIST, but outputs to the printer

'''[[GOSUB]] ''{[[line number]]}''''' calls the subroutine at the line number specified<br>

;<code>MOTOR [ON|OFF]</code>: turns the cassette motor on or off

'''[[GOTO]] ''{line number}''''' jumps to the program's line number specified<br>

;<code>NEW</code>: erases contents of memory (program and variable)

'''IF ''{test}'' THEN ''{command(s)}'' [ELSE ''{command(s)}'']''' performs conditional test. If the test is true THEN commands are executed, otherwise (ELSE) other commands are executed. If the no ELSE is specified, and the test is false, the next line of the program will be run<br>

;<code>ON {''num''} GOSUB ''line 1'', ''line 2'', ... ''line n''</code>: evaluates expression ''num'' and calls the ''num''th subroutine listed

'''INPUT [''device number''] [''{prompt text}'';] ''variable'' [,''variable 2'', ''variable n'']''' Waits for input from ''device number''. If not specified, device 0 (keyboard) is assumed. An optional prompt can be printed on the screen for the input statement<br>

'''LIST;<code>ON [(''starting linenum'']) -GOTO [''ending line 1'']', '' lists line(s) of2'', your program... Either''line startn''</code>: orevaluates endexpression can''num'' be omitted,and orjumps if both are omitted,to the entire''num''th program will beline listed<br>

;<code>OPEN "[I|O]",''device number''[,"''filename''"]</code>: opens a device for communication

'''LLIST [''starting line''] - [''ending line'']''' works like LIST, but outputs to the printer<br>

;<code>[[PEEK and POKE|POKE]] ''memory address'', ''data''</code>: writes ''data'' (0-255) into ''memory address'' (0-65535)

'''MOTOR [ON|OFF]''' turns the cassette motor on or off<br>

;<code>PRINT ''device number'',''expression''</code>: prints data to device specified. If omitted, #0 (screen) is assumed

'''NEW''' erases contents of memory (program and variable)<br>

;<code>PRINT @{''screen position''} ''expression''</code>: works like PRINT, but prints at the ___location specified (0-511)

'''ON {''num''} GOSUB ''line 1'', ''line 2'', ... ''line n''''' evaluates expression ''num'' and calls the ''num''th subroutine listed<br>

;<code>READ ''variable''[,''variable'',...]</code>: reads the next variable(s) from the BASIC program embedded with DATA statements

'''ON (''num'') GOTO ''line 1'', ''line 2'', ... ''line n''''' evaluates expression ''num'' and jumps to the ''num''th line listed<br>

;<code>RENUM NewStart ''num,'' OldStart ''num,'' Increment ''num''</code>: renumbers each line (optional Oldstart ) (with optional NewStart) of the program : at multiples of (optional ''num).'': If all options are omitted, the list will use 10 for increment. : With a program with 10 lines, with 10 separation. 10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90,100: renum 100, 40, 2. This will renumber, Starting at line number 40. It will change all line number following and including 40 by 2. lines now 10,20,30,100,102,104,106,108,110, 112

'''OPEN "[I|O]",''device number''[,"''filename''"]''' opens a device for communication<br>

;<code>RESET(''x,y'')</code>: sets the semigraphics pixel at ___location x (0-63) and y (0-31) to black

'''POKE ''memory address'', ''data''''' writes ''data'' (0-255) into ''memory address'' (0-65535)<br>

;<code>RESTORE</code>: resets the READ pointer back to the first DATA statement

'''PRINT ''device number'',''expression''''' prints data to device specified. If omitted, #0 (screen) is assumed<br>

;<code>RETURN</code>: returns from a subroutine

'''PRINT @{''screen position''} ''expression''''' works like PRINT, but prints at the ___location specified (0-511)<br>

;<code>RUN ''num''</code>: runs the BASIC program, optionally, at the line number specified

'''READ ''variable''[,''variable'',...]''' reads the next variable(s) from the BASIC program embedded with DATA statements<br>

;<code>SET(''x,y,color'')</code>: sets the semigraphics pixel at ___location x (0-63) y (0-31) to color (0-8)

'''RENUM ''num''''' renumbers each line of the program at multiples of ''num''<br>

;<code>SKIPF ["''filename''"]</code>: skips over BASIC programs on tape until the program name specified is found

'''RESET(''x,y'')''' sets the semigraphics pixel at ___location x (0-63) and y (0-31) to black<br>

;<code>SOUND ''tone'',''duration''</code>: sounds a tone with frequency (1-255) and duration (1-255)

'''RESTORE''' resets the READ pointer back to the first DATA statement<br>

;<code>STOP</code>: causes the program to stop executing

'''RETURN''' returns from a subroutine<br>

;<code>TAB(''column'')</code>: tabs to the column specified (used with PRINT)

'''RUN ''num''''' runs the BASIC program, optionally, at the line number specified<br>

;<code>VAL(''str'')</code>: returns the numeric value of a string that contains a number in string form

'''SET(''x,y,color'')''' sets the semigraphics pixel at ___location x (0-63) y (0-31) to color (0-8)<br>

'''SKIPF ["''filename''"]''' skips over BASIC programs on tape until the program name specified is found<br>

=== Control flow ===

'''SOUND ''tone'',''duration''''' sounds a tone with frequency (1-255) and duration (1-255)<br>

;<code>[[GOSUB]] ''{[[line number]]}''</code>: calls the subroutine at the line number specified

'''STOP''' causes the program to stop executing<br>

;<code>[[GOTO]] ''{line number}''</code>: jumps to the program's line number specified

'''TAB(''column'')''' tabs to the column specified (used with PRINT)<br>

;<code>IF ''{test}'' THEN ''{command(s)}'' [ELSE ''{command(s)}'']</code>: performs conditional test. If the test is true THEN commands are executed, otherwise (ELSE) other commands are executed. If the no ELSE is specified, and the test is false, the next line of the program will be run

'''VAL(''str'')''' returns the numeric value of a string that contains a number in string form<br>

[[For loop|FOR]] ''{num}'' = ''{number}'' TO ''{number}'' [STEP ''{number}'']

...

NEXT ''(num)''

: creates a loop where the numeric variable ''(num)'' runs from start number to end number in increments of number (STEP). If step is omitted, 1 is assumed

==Error Messages==

''';<code>/0'''</code>: [[division by zero<br>]]

''';<code>AO'''</code>: file specified is already open<br>

''';<code>BS'''</code>: bad subscript. subscript is out of DIM range<br>

''';<code>CN'''</code>: can't continue (see CONT command)<br>

''';<code>DD'''</code>: attempt to redimension an array<br>

''';<code>DN'''</code>: invalid device number<br>

''';<code>DS'''</code>: direct statement error (program has no line numbers)<br>

''';<code>FC'''</code>: illegal function call: function contains a value that is out of range<br>

''';<code>FD'''</code>: bad file data: attempt to read a number into a string value, etc<br>.

''';<code>FM'''</code>: bad file mode, attempt to INPUT data to a file open for OUTPUT, etc<br>.

''';<code>ID'''</code>: illegal direct: the specified command can only be run in a program<br>

''';<code>IE'''</code>: input past end of file. See EOF<br>

''';<code>IO'''</code>: [[input/output]] error<br>

''';<code>LS'''</code>: long string: strings can only have 255 characters<br>

''';<code>NF'''</code>: NEXT without FOR<br>

''';<code>NO'''</code>: file not open<br>

''';<code>OD'''</code>: out of data: attempt to read beyond the last DATA in the program<br>

''';<code>OM'''</code>: out of memory<br>

''';<code>OS'''</code>: out of string space: see CLEAR<br>

''';<code>OV'''</code>: overflow: the number is out of range<br>

''';<code>RG'''</code>: RETURN without GOSUB<br>

''';<code>SN'''</code>: [[syntax error<br>]]

''';<code>ST'''</code>: string operation too complex<br>

''';<code>TM'''</code>: type mismatch (A$=3, A="CAT")<br>

''';<code>UL'''</code>: attempt to GOTO or GOSUB to a line that doesn't exist<br>

==Documented ROM subroutines==

There are a few subroutines available for machine language programs in the Color BASIC ROM that are available for general purpose programming.

''';<code>POLCAT''',</code>: address [$A000]: polls keyboard for a character<br>

''';<code>CHROUT''',</code>: address [$A002]: outputs a character to screen or device<br>

''';<code>CSRDON''',</code>: address [$A004]: starts cassette and prepares for reading<br>

''';<code>BLKIN''',</code>: address [$A006]: reads a block from cassette<br>

''';<code>BLKOUT''',</code>: address [$A008]: writes a block to cassette<br>

''';<code>JOYIN''',</code>: address [$A00A]: reads joystick values<br>

==References==

{{reflist}}

;Notes

{{refbegin}}

*''Getting Started With Color BASIC'', 1980, Tandy Corporation. Publication #8749266

*''[https://web.archive.org/web/20150410102916/http://tandycoco.com/techdocs/cocodisksystem.pdf Color Computer Disk System (Tandy)]'', 1981, Tandy Corporation. Publication #8749470-BCo

*''[http://www.colorcomputerarchive.com/coco/Documents/Manuals/Hardware/Getting%20Started%20With%20Extended%20Color%20Basic%20%28Tandy%29.pdf Getting Started With Extended Color BASIC]'', 1984, Tandy Corporation. Publication #811013700A

*''[http://www.colorcomputerarchive.com/coco/Documents/Manuals/Hardware/Color%20Computer%203%20Extended%20Basic%20%28Tandy%29.pdf Color Computer 3 Extended Basic (Tandy)]'', 1986, Tandy Corporation. Publication #81101910A

{{refend}}

{{BASIC}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Color Basic}}

[[Category:TRS-80 Color Computer]]

[[Category:Discontinued Microsoft BASICs]]

[[Category:BASIC programming language family]]

[[Category:Microsoft programming languages]]