The are two versions of Locomotive BASIC used in the Amstrad CPC and CPC+ computers. v1.0 is used by the CPC464, and v1.1 is used by the CPC664, CPC6128, CPC464+ and CPC6128+[[Category:Cpctech.org]]
== Passing parameters to a RSX (Resident System Extension) command or binary function =='''''This article originally came from Kevin Thackers' archive at [http://www.cpctech.org.uk http://www.cpctech.org.uk].'''''
A RSX (Resident System Extension) command is accessed through = Technical information about Locomotive BASIC with a "|" character prefix. e.g. The "DIR" RSX, is accessed by "|DIR". =
A binary function is accessed through The are two versions of Locomotive BASIC using used in the Amstrad CPC and CPC+ computers. v1.0 is used by the CPC464, and v1.1 is used by the "CALL" commandCPC664, CPC6128, CPC464+ and CPC6128+.
Passing a string parameter:== BASIC v1.0 only ==
BASIC v1.0 There is a$="A"region of memory between AC00-AC1B which is filled with RET instructions. The BASIC ROM calls the following locations:|DRIVEAC01,@a$AC04,AC07,AC0A,AC0D,AC10,AC13,AC16,AC19
BASIC v1It almost looks like these were used for debugging the ROM but were left in.1:
|DRIVE,"A"They can be used to implement new BASIC commands.
== Additional keywords and variables in BASIC v1.1 Passing parameters to a RSX (Resident System Extension) command or binary function ==
* A RSX (Resident System Extension) command is accessed through BASIC v1with a "|" character prefix.1 has e.g. The "DIR" RSX, is accessed by "|DIR". A binary function is accessed through BASIC using the following additional keywords:"CALL" command.
Both RSX and CALL commands work (are!) similar from the BASIC command line and invoke machine code - the only difference is:* COPYCHR$with the help of a RSX command you don't need to know the exact access address. You can pass up to 32 parameters with a CALL or RSX command. Possible parameters could be integer, floating points and strings. Just store the parameter into a variable:* CURSORPassing for integer:* DEC$:* FILL<pre>:* FRAMECALL &4000,32,34,&5E,&x10101010:* GRAPHICS|RSX-command,32,34,&5E,&x10101010:* MASK </pre>Passing for floating points<pre>@a!=43.375CALL or |RSX-command,@a!</pre>
* <br> Passing a string parameter: <br> BASIC v1.0 <pre>a$="A":|DRIVE,@a$</pre> BASIC v1.1 has the following additional predefined variables:<pre>|DRIVE,"A"</pre>or<pre>b$="test"CALL or |RSX-command,@b$</pre>
The parameters will be stored inside the range of Stack:* DERR <pre> A=n -------> MSB PARAM1 LSB PARAM1 MSB PARAM2 LSB PARAM2 ... ... ... MSB PARAMn IX+0 ------> LSB PARAMn</pre>with the help of that assembly code is it possible to find the parameters:<pre>ROUT1: CP x ;test register A if "x" parameters were given, e.g. x = 2 RET NZ ; if not exactly x parameters then do not execute RSX. LD L,(IX+0) LD H,(IX+1) ; HL = value of last parameter LD E,(IX+2) LD D,(IX+3) ; DE = value of next to last parameter ...</pre>A register holds the number of parameters. IX points to each parameter. IX+0/IX+1 is the last parameter. This happens because each parameter in order is pushed onto the stack and IX then points to the last parameter pushed. Each parameter is a 16-bit value.
If a parameter is a string, then IX holds the address of the string descriptor which point to a 3 byte block. The first byte of the string descriptor is the length. The next 2 bytes are an address that point to the string in memory. With the help of the variable container "@" it is also possible to get a result from an invoked mc-code back to basic.In this case the parameter contains the address of the integer, floating point or string. You can modify these to give the result.BASIC allocates the strings, so when you modify a string, do not write more characters than the original string. Hint: the first two bytes at the end of stack shows the internal return address from BASIC interpreter where it was executed. == Additional keywords and variables in BASIC v1.1 == #BASIC v1.1 has the following additional keywords: #*COPYCHR$ #*CURSOR #*DEC$ #*FILL #*FRAME #*GRAPHICS #*MASK #BASIC v1.1 has the following additional predefined variables: #*DERR <br> <br> == Entering BASIC programs ==
A maximum of 255 characters can be entered for a single BASIC line.
There are some rules for assigning names for variables:: - it is not allowed to define a variable starting with a figure (the system expect then programming mode and interpret it as a program line number): - no space (or 'under' as it is common today) between variable names are allowed: - BASIC keywords can't be used: - different sign e.g.: a slash (doesn't depend which direction), a 'minus' sign, a 'and' sign can't be used in a variable names: - after a dollar sign (for defining string variables) it is not allowed to use further signs: - different defining functions together are not allowed (e.g. use '%' together with '$') : - you can use 40 characters for a variable name: - use ! for defining a REAL value variable (like the function DEFREAL but only for the assigned variable) > It's also possible to omit the exlamation mark because it's the default system declaration after powering on then CPC.: - use % for defining a INTEGER value variable (like the function DEFINT but only for the assigned variable): - use $ for defining a STRING variable (like the function DEFSTR but only for the assigned variable): - Minimum line number is 1. Maximum line number is 65535. This is converted into the tokenised BASIC program which is more compact than the line entered. The BASIC keywords are converted into "tokens", or 1-2 byte sequences which uniquely identify each keyword. <br> == Speeding up BASIC programs == To speed up BASIC programs following rules could help:: - Avoid loops or a branching program structure if possible. Internally the operating system searches for the right line number always from the beginning of the program 'listing'. Often recurring subroutines (if necessary) should be at the beginning of RAM to speed up things.: - Avoid the index variable after the <code>NEXT</code> command/statement (although it isn't a good program style): - Avoid spaces inside program code or remarks: - Put lots of statements as possible in ONE line: - Use variables instead of constants. A constand has always to be converted in a binary/digital format. A variable is already converted.: - Dimensioning at the beginning of the program: - Dimensioning your variables & pre-calculate: - Avoid AND/OR/XOR in IF-THEN statements. It's faster to write IF ... THEN (statement 1).. IF ... THEN (statement 2). == Structure of a BASIC program == A BASIC program is stored in a tokenised format. Here the keywords are represented by 1 or 2 byte unique sequences. Each line of the BASIC program has the form: <br> {| border="1"|-! Offset ! Size ! Description|-| 0 | 2 | Length of line data in bytes (note 1)|-| 2 | 2 | 16-bit decimal integer line number (note 2)|-| 4 | n | BASIC line encoded into tokens (note 3)|-| n+1 | 1 | "0" the end of line marker (note 4)|} <br> Notes: #This 16-bit value has two functions: if "0" it signals the end of the BASIC program. In this case, there is no furthur BASIC program lines or data, otherwise, this value defines the length of the tokenised BASIC program line in bytes, and includes the 2 bytes defining this value, the 2 bytes defining the program line number, and the end of line marker. This number is stored in little endian notation with low byte followed by high byte.#This 16-bit value defines the line number and exists if the length of line data in bytes is not "0". A line number is a integer number in the range 1-65535. This number is stored in little endian notation with low byte followed by high byte. #This data defines the tokenised BASIC program line and exists if the length of line data in bytes is not "0". The length is dependant on the BASIC program line contents. #This value defines the end of the tokenised BASIC line data and exists if the length of line data in bytes is not "0". The BASIC interpreter looks for this token during the processing of this line, and if found, will stop execution and continue to the next line. == BASIC tokens == This table list the BASIC tokens with no prefix byte. <br> {| border="1"|-! Code<br>(hexidecimal) ! BASIC keyword|-| &00 | end of tokenised line marker|-| &01 | ":" statement seperator|-| &02 | integer variable definition (defined with "%" suffix)|-| &03 | string variable definition (defined with "$" suffix)|-| &04 | floating point variable definition (defined with "!" suffix)|-| &05 | var?|-| &06 | var?|-| &07 | var?|-| &08 | var?|-| &09 | var?|-| &0a | var?|-| &0b | variable definition (no suffix)|-| &0c | variable definition (no suffix)|-| &0d | variable definition (no suffix)|-| &0e | number constant "0"|-| &0f | number constant "1"|-| &10 | number constant "2"|-| &11 | number constant "3"|-| &12 | number constant "4"|-| &13 | number constant "5"|-| &14 | number constant "6"|-| &15 | number constant "7"|-| &16 | number constant "8"|-| &17 | number constant "9"|-| &18 | number constant "10"|-| &19 | 8-bit integer decimal value|-| &1a | 16-bit integer decimal value|-| &1b | 16-bit integer binary value (with "&X" prefix)|-| &1c | 16-bit integer hexadecimal value (with "&H" or "&" prefix)|-| &1d | 16-bit BASIC program line memory address pointer (see notes)|-| &1e | 16-bit integer BASIC line number|-| &1f | floating point value|-| &20 | " " (space) symbol|-| &21 | ASCII "!" symbol|-| &22 | quoted string value|-| &23-7b | ASCII printable symbols|-| &7c | "|" symbol; prefix for RSX commands|-| &80 | AFTER|-| &81 | AUTO|-| &82 | BORDER|-| &83 | CALL|-| &84 | CAT|-| &85 | CHAIN|-| &86 | CLEAR|-| &87 | CLG|-| &88 | CLOSEIN|-| &89 | CLOSEOUT|-| &8a | CLS|-| &8b | CONT|-| &8c | DATA|-| &8d | DEF|-| &8e | DEFINT|-| &8f | DEFREAL|-| &90 | DEFSTR|-| &91 | DEG|-| &92 | DELETE|-| &93 | DIM|-| &94 | DRAW|-| &95 | DRAWR|-| &96 | EDIT|-| &97 | ELSE|-| &98 | END|-| &99 | ENT|-| &9a | ENV|-| &9b | ERASE|-| &9c | ERROR|-| &9d | EVERY|-| &9e | FOR|-| &9f | GOSUB, GO SUB|-| &a0 | GOTO, GO TO|-| &a1 | IF|-| &a2 | INK|-| &a3 | INPUT|-| &a4| KEY|-| &a5 | LET|-| &a6 | LINE|-| &a7 | LIST|-| &a8 | LOAD|-| &a9 | LOCATE|-| &aa | MEMORY|-| &ab | MERGE|-| &ac | MID$|-| &ad | MODE|-| &ae | MOVE|-| &af | MOVER|-| &b0 | NEXT|-| &b1 | NEW|-| &b2 | ON|-| &b3 | ON BREAK|-| &b4 | ON ERROR GOTO, ON ERROR GO TO|-| &b5 | ON SQ|-| &b6 | OPENIN|-| &b7 | OPENOUT|-| &b8 | ORIGIN|-| &b9 | OUT|-| &ba | PAPER|-| &bb | PEN|-| &bc | PLOT|-| &bd | PLOTR|-| &be | POKE|-| &bf | PRINT|-| &c0 | "'" symbol (same function as REM keyword)|-| &c1 | RAD|-| &c2 | RANDOMIZE|-| &c3 | READ|-| &c4 | RELEASE|-| &c5 | REM|-| &c6 | RENUM|-| &c7 | RESTORE|-| &c8 | RESUME|-| &c9 | RETURN|-| &ca | RUN|-| &cb | SAVE|-| &cc | SOUND|-| &cd | SPEED|-| &ce | STOP|-| &cf | SYMBOL|-| &d0 | TAG|-| &d1 | TAGOFF|-| &d2 | TROFF|-| &d3 | TRON|-| &d4 | WAIT|-| &d5 | WEND|-| &d6 | WHILE|-| &d7 | WIDTH|-| &d8 | WINDOW|-| &d9 | WRITE|-| &da | ZONE|-| &db | DI|-| &dc | EI|-| &dd | FILL (v1.1)|-| &de | GRAPHICS (v1.1)|-| &df | MASK (v1.1)|-| &e0 | FRAME (v1.1)|-| &e1 | CURSOR (v1.1)|-| &e2 | (note 2)|-| &e3 | ERL|-| &e4 | FN|-| &e5 | SPC|-| &e6 | STEP|-| &e7 | SWAP|-| &e8 | (note 2)|-| &e9 | (note 2)|-| &ea | TAB|-| &eb | THEN|-| &ec | TO|-| &ed | USING|-| &ee | > (greater than)|-| &ef | = (equal)|-| &f0 | &gt=, > =, => (greater or equal)|-| &f1 | < (less than)|-| &f2 | <&gt, < > (not equal)|-| &f3 | =<, <=, < = (less than or equal)|-| &f4 | + (addition)|-| &f5 | - (subtraction or unary minus)|-| &f6 | * (multiplication)|-| &f7 | / (division)|-| &f8 | ^ (x to the power of y)|-| &f9 | \ (integer division)|-| &fa | AND|-| &fb | MOD|-| &fc | OR|-| &fd | XOR|-| &fe | NOT|-| &ff | (prefix for additional keywords)|} <br> Notes: *The &ff code is used as a prefix for more keywords. See the table below for the list of keywords using this prefix. *&e2,&e8 and &e9 are not used *&7c ("|") is a character prefix used to identify an RSX command. e.g. "|DIR". An RSX is encoded in a BASIC program using the following structure: {| border="1"|-! Offset ! Count ! Description|-| 0 | 1 | "|" character prefix|-| 1 | 1 | 8-bit byte offset to tokens following RSX name.|-| 2 | x | RSX name. (Last character of name has bit 7 set to "1", all other characters have bit 7 set to "0")|} *This token identifies a integer (16-bit) number. The two bytes following this token is the number, stored low byte then high byte. e.g. &1a,&2d,&00 represents the integer number "&002d"="45". *This token (&0B) is changed at run-time to &0D *This token identifies a integer variable. 02,00,00,var name offset to number in program setup when program RUN. The variable name is stored directly, with bit 7 of the last character set. *This token identifies a string variable. offset to string in program string stored AS IS with quotes around it. *This token identifies a floating point number. Immediatly following the token are 5 bytes which define the number. {| border="1"|-! Offset ! Count ! Description|-| 0 | 1 | &1f (note 1)|-| 1 | 5 | Floating point number (note 2)|} *#This byte is the BASIC token identifying a floating point number *#These 5 bytes define the floating point number. *The space symbol is used as a command seperator *Variable definitions: **The variable definition has the following structure: {| border="1"|-! Offset ! Count ! Description|-| 0 | 1 | Token defining variable type|-| 2 | 2 | 16-bit Byte offset to variable value within tokenised BASIC program.|-| 4 | x | Variable name|} <br> The 16-bit byte offset is initially set to 0, but is setup when the program is RUN. The offset is stored in little-endian format, with low byte followed by high byte. **The token byte defines the variable type (i.e. string, floating point, integer) and the suffix ("$", none and "%"). **The variable name is stored in the program, with bit 7 of the last character set to "1". e.g. The variable named "abc" will be encoded as 'a','b','c'+&80 *String values: **Each string value is prefixed with &22 token. **All strings must be enclosed by double quote symbols (&quot). This symbols define the start and end of the string value. **The string value can contain any symbol except the quote ("). i.e. 0-&21, and &23-&ff can be used. *After running a program, Tokens of "1d" with 16-bit BASIC program line pointers are changed to token "1e" with the 16-bit memory address of the BASIC line number in memory. <br> This table list the BASIC tokens with a &ff prefix byte. <br>
{| border== Structure of a "1"|-! Code<br>(hexidecimal) ! BASIC program ==keyword|-| &00 | ABS|-| &01 | ASC|-| &02 | ATN|-| &03 | CHR$|-| &04 | CINT|-| &05 | COS|-| &06 | CREAL|-| &07 | EXP|-| &08 | FIX|-| &09 | FRE|-| &0a | INKEY|-| &0b | INP|-| &0c | INT|-| &0d | JOY|-| &0e | LEN|-| &0f | LOG|-| &10 | LOG10|-| &11 | LOWER$|-| &12 | PEEK|-| &13 | REMAIN|-| &14 | SGN|-| &15 | SIN|-| &16 | SPACE$|-| &17 | SQ|-| &18 | SQR|-| &19 | STR$|-| &1a | TAN|-| &1b | UNT|-| &1c | UPPER$|-| &1d | VAL|-| | (note 2)|-| &40 | EOF|-| &41 | ERR|-| &42 | HIMEM|-| &43 | INKEY$|-| &44 | PI|-| &45 | RND|-| &46 | TIME|-| &47 | XPOS|-| &48 | YPOS|-| &49 | DERR (v1.1)|-| | (note 3)|-| &71 | BIN$|-| &72 | DEC$ (v1.1)|-| &73 | HEX$|-| &74 | INSTR|-| &75 | LEFT$|-| &76 | MAX|-| &77 | MIN|-| &78 | POS|-| &79 | RIGHT$|-| &7a | ROUND|-| &7b | STRING$|-| &7c | TEST|-| &7d | TESTR|-| &7e | COPYCHR$ (v1.1)|-| &7f | VPOS|-| | (note 4)|}
A BASIC program is stored in a tokenised format. Here the keywords are represented by 1 or 2 byte unique sequences.<br> NOTES:
Each line of *These codes are prefixed by &FF. e.g. The keyword "ABS" is stored as the BASIC program has the formfollowing sequence:<pre>&FF,&00</pre> *Codes &1e...&3f inclusive are not used *Codes &4a...&6f inclusive are not used *Codes &80...&ff inclusive are not used
Offset Size Description0 2 Length of line data *When a BASIC program is in bytes (note 1)2 2 memory, the BASIC ROM can replace "16-bit decimal integer line number (note 2)4 n BASIC program line encoded into number" tokens (note 3)n+1 1 with "0" the end of 16-bit BASIC program line marker (note 4)memory address pointer".
Notes:When a program is loaded or saved, there will only be "16-bit BASIC program line number" tokens followed by a 16-bit number of the line.
* This 16-bit value has two functions::* if "0" it signals the end of the BASIC When a program. In this caseis running, there is no furthur BASIC program lines or data.:* otherwise, this value defines will replace the length of the tokenised "16-bit BASIC program line in bytes, and includes the 2 bytes defining this value, the 2 bytes defining number" with the "16-bit BASIC program line numbermemory address pointer" token, and replace the end of line marker. This number is stored in little endian notation with low byte followed by high byte. * This 16-bit value defines the line number and exists if the length of line data in bytes is not "0". A line number is a integer number in the range 1-65535. This number is stored in little endian notation with low byte followed by high byte.* This data defines the tokenised BASIC program line and exists if the length memory address of line data in bytes is not "0". The length is dependant on the BASIC program line contents.* This value defines the end start of the tokenised BASIC line data and exists if the length of line data in bytes is not "0". The BASIC interpreter looks for this token during the processing of this line, and if found, will stop execution and continue to the next that line.
== BASIC tokens ==It does this to avoid having to lookup the address of the line each time.
This table list * When a REM or ' is seen, the BASIC tokens with no prefix bytecharacters following it are output directly (i.e. the bytes are not tokenized) until the end of line or a ':' is seen.
Code(hexidecimal) * When a BASIC keyword&00 end of tokenised program is listed each line marker&01 ":" statement seperator&02 integer variable definition is converted to a string (defined with "%" suffixthis includes the line number and the tokens converted to their strings)&03 . There is a maximum length for this string variable definition (defined of 256 characters. This means that if the BASIC line is LISTed or EDITed, then the line will be displayed incorrectly with missing characters on the end. This is also noticed if you have a "$" suffix)&04 floating point variable definition (defined with "!" suffix)&05 var?&06 var?&07 var?&08 var?&09 var?&0a var?&0b variable definition (no suffix)&0c variable definition (no suffix)&0d variable definition (no suffix)&0e number constant "0"&0f number constant "1"&10 number constant "2"&11 number constant "3"&12 number constant "4"&13 number constant "5"&14 number constant "6"&15 number constant "7"&16 number constant "8"&17 number constant "9"&18 number constant "10"&19 8-bit integer decimal value&1a 16-bit integer decimal value&1b 16-bit integer binary value (with liner"&X" prefix)&1c 16-bit integer hexadecimal value (with "&H" or "&" prefix)&1d 16-bit BASIC program line memory address pointer&1e 16-bit integer that packs as much BASIC as possible into each line and renumber it so the line number&1f floating point value&20 " " (space) symbol&21 ASCII "!" symbol&22 quoted string value&23-7b ASCII printable symbols&7c "|" symbol; prefix for RSX commands&80 AFTER&81 AUTO&82 BORDER&83 CALL&84 CAT&85 CHAIN&86 CLEAR&87 CLG&88 CLOSEIN&89 CLOSEOUT&8a CLS&8b CONT&8c DATA&8d DEF&8e DEFINT&8f DEFREAL&90 DEFSTR&91 DEG&92 DELETE&93 DIM&94 DRAW&95 DRAWR&96 EDIT&97 ELSE&98 END&99 ENT&9a ENV&9b ERASE&9c ERROR&9d EVERY&9e FOR&9f GOSUB, GO SUB&a0 GOTO, GO TO&a1 IF&a2 INK&a3 INPUT&a4 KEY&a5 LET&a6 LINE&a7 LIST&a8 LOAD&a9 LOCATE&aa MEMORY&ab MERGE&ac MID$&ad MODE&ae MOVE&af MOVER&b0 NEXT&b1 NEW&b2 ON&b3 ON BREAK&b4 ON ERROR GOTO, ON ERROR GO TO&b5 SQ&b6 OPENIN&b7 OPENOUT&b8 ORIGIN&b9 OUT&ba PAPER&bb PEN&bc PLOT&bd PLOTR&be POKE&bf PRINT&c0 "'" symbol (same function as REM keyword)&c1 RAD&c2 RANDOMIZE&c3 READ&c4 RELEASE&c5 REM&c6 RENUM&c7 RESTORE&c8 RESUME&c9 RETURN&ca RUN&cb SAVE&cc SOUND&cd SPEED&ce STOP&cf SYMBOL&d0 TAG&d1 TAGOFF&d2 TROFF&d3 TRON&d4 WAIT&d5 WEND&d6 WHILE&d7 WIDTH&d8 WINDOW&d9 WRITE&da ZONE&db DI&dc EI&dd FILL (v1has more digits.1)&de GRAPHICS (v1.1)&df MASK (v1.1)&e0 FRAME (v1.1)&e1 CURSOR (v1.1)&e2 (note 2)&e3 ERL&e4 FN&e5 SPC&e6 STEP&e7 SWAP&e8 (note 2)&e9 (note 2)&ea TAB&eb THEN&ec TO&ed USING&ee > (greater than)&ef = (equal)&f0 >=, > =, => (greater or equal)&f1 < (less than)&f2 <>, < > (not equal)&f3 =<, <=, < = (less than or equal)&f4 + (addition)&f5 - (subtraction or unary minus)&f6 * (multiplication)&f7 / (division)&f8 ^ (x to the power of y)&f9 \ (integer division)&fa AND&fb MOD&fc OR&fd XOR&fe NOT&ff (prefix for additional keywords)
Notes:== Floating Point data definition ==
* The &ff code is used as A floating point number represents a prefix for more keywords. See the table below for the list of keywords using this prefix.* &e2,&e8 number with both an integer and &e9 are not used* &7c ("|") is a character prefix used to identify a RSX commandfractional part.
e.g. "|DIR".<br> In Amstrad BASIC, a floating point number is stored in base-2 in a normalized form: 1 x 2<sup><exponent></sup> The representation uses 5 bytes and is stored using the following structure:
An RSX is encoded in a BASIC program using the following structure:<br>
Offset Count Description{| border="1" |-! Byte ! colspan="8" | 0 ! colspan="8" | 1 ! colspan="8"|2 ! colspan=" character prefix8" | 3 1 1 ! colspan="8" | 4|-bit byte offset to tokens following RSX name. ! Bit ! 7 ! 6 ! 5 ! 4 ! 3 ! 2 x RSX name. (Last character of name has bit ! 1 ! 0 ! 7 set to "! 6 ! 5 ! 4 ! 3 ! 2 ! 1", all other characters have bit ! 0 ! 7 set to "! 6 ! 5 ! 4 ! 3 ! 2 ! 1 ! 0! 7 ! 6 ! 5 ! 4 ! 3 ! 2 ! 1 ! 0 ! 7 ! 6 ! 5 ! 4 ! 3 ! 2 ! 1 ! 0|-| Function | colspan="8" | (LSB) mantissa (bits 31-24)* This token identifies a integer | colspan="8" | mantissa (16bits 23-bit16) number. The two bytes following this token is the number, stored low byte then high byte. e.g. &19,&2d,&00 represents the integer number | colspan="&002d8"| mantissa (bits 15-8) | colspan="451".| sign * This token | colspan="7" | (&0BMSB) is changed at runmantissa (bits 7-time to &0D0) * This token identifies a integer variable. 02,00,00,var name offset to number in program setup when program RUN. The variable name is stored directly, with bit 7 of the last character set.| colspan="8" | exponent* This token identifies a string variable. offset to string in program string stored AS IS with quotes around it.* This token identifies a floating point number. Immediatly following the token are 5 bytes which define the number.|}
Offset Count Description 0 1 &1f (note 1) 1 5 Floating point number (note 2) 1. This byte is the BASIC token identifying a floating point number 2. These 5 bytes define the floating point number. * The space symbol is used as a command seperator * Variable definitions: o The variable definition has the following structure: Offset Count Description 0 1 Token defining variable type 2 2 16-bit Byte offset to variable value within tokenised BASIC program. 4 x Variable name=== Sign ===
The 16-bit byte offset sign is initially set to 0, but is setup when the program is RUN. The offset is stored in little-endian format, with low byte followed represented by high byte. o The token byte defines the variable type (i.e. string, floating point, integer) and the suffix ("$", none and "%"). o The variable name is stored in the program, with bit 7 of the last character set to "1". e.gbyte 3. The variable named "abc" will be encoded as 'a','b','c'+&80 * String values: o Each string value is prefixed with &22 token. o All strings must be enclosed by double quote symbols ("). This symbols define the start and end of the string value. o The string value can contain any symbol except the quote ("). i.e. 0-&21, and &23-&ff can be used. * After running a program, Tokens of "1d" with 16-sign bit BASIC program line pointers are changed to token "1e" with indicates the 16-bit memory address sign of the BASIC line floating point number in memory.
This table list #*If the BASIC tokens with a &ff prefix bytesign bit is "1", then the number is negative. #*If the sign bit is "0", then the number is positive.
Code(hexidecimal) BASIC keyword&00 ABS&01 ASC&02 ATN&03 CHR$&04 CINT&05 COS&06 CREAL&07 EXP&08 FIX&09 FRE&0a INKEY&0b INP&0c INT&0d JOY&0e LEN&0f LOG&10 LOG10&11 LOWER$&12 PEEK&13 REMAIN&14 SGN&15 SIN&16 SPACE$&17 SQ&18 SQR&19 STR$&1a TAN&1b UNT&1c UPPER$&1d VAL (note 2)&40 EOF&41 ERR&42 HIMEM&43 INKEY$&44 PI&45 RND&46 TIME&47 XPOS&48 YPOS&49 DERR (v1.1) (note 3)&71 BIN$&72 DEC$ (v1.1)&73 HEX$&74 INSTR&75 LEFT$&76 MAX&77 MIN&78 POS&79 RIGHT$&7a ROUND&7b STRING$&7c TEST&7d TESTR&7e COPYCHR$ (v1.1)&7f VPOS (note 4)=== Mantissa ===
NOTES:The mantissa holds the normalized number. The exponent is manipulated so that the most significant bit is always 1. Since it is always 1, it is not stored. It's value is implied by the representation.
* These codes are prefixed by &FF. e.g. The keyword "ABS" is stored as the following sequence:=== Exponent ===
&FF,&00The exponent is 8-bit and is stored in byte 4. It is stored with a bias of 128.
#* Codes &1e...&3f inclusive 128-255 are not usedpositive exponents, #* Codes &4a...&6f inclusive 0-127 are not used* Codes &80negative exponents...&ff inclusive are not used
== Floating Point data definition ==To obtain the signed exponent, you must subtract 128 from the stored exponent. The minimum exponent is 0 and this describes a number of 2^-127. The maximum exponent is 255 and this describes a number of 2^128.
A floating === BASIC Display of Floating point number represents a number with both an integer and fractional part.numbers ===
In Amstrad BASIC, a floating point * Numbers are displayed to 9 decimal places.* If the number doesn't have a fractional part (e.g. .0) then the fractional part is stored not displayed.* Trailing zeros (zero digits after the last digit in base-2 the fraction) are not displayed* The value is rounded in a normalized formthe following way for display:
1 x 2<exponent>If the 10th fractional digit is 5 or above, then the number is rounded up.If the 10th fractional digit is 4 or below, then the number is rounded down.e.g. 0.1234567891 is displayed as 0.123456789 0.1234567895 is displayed as 0.12345679
The representation uses 5 bytes and is stored using the following structure:=== floating point example in RAM by MaV ===
Byte 0 1 2 3 4The initial figure = 43.375.An example in BASIC:<pre>Bit 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a!=43.375READYPRINT a! 43.375PRINT @a! 374FOR I=0 7 6 5 TO 4 3 2 1 0 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0Function mantissa :PRINT HEX$(bits 23-16) mantissa PEEK(bits 15-8374+I) mantissa (,2);:NEXT I0000802D86</pre>the result for better readability:<br>'''00 00 80 2D 86'''<br>The first byte contains the least significant bits 7-0) sign of the mantissa (, and every following byte up to the fourth byte contain the bits 30-24) exponentfollowing the first in significance and in exactly that order!
=== Sign ===That means that you have to turn around the first four bytes if you want to read the mantissa correctly:2D800000or0010.1101.1000.0000.0000.0000.0000.0000in binary (the stops are inserted for better readability).
The sign Now the highest significant bit here is represented by 0, so the number is positive.What's more, you need to clear that bit 7 and substitute the implied highest bit (see description in the link), which is always 1 (regardless of byte 3the deleted sign bit!!!).Thus you get:AD800000or1010.1101.1000.0000.0000.0000.0000.0000in binary.
The value of mantissa has an implied decimal point before the sign bit indicates number. Since the sign of the floating point numberis 2^32 bits (i.e. 4 bytes) long you have to divide by 2^32 to get the proper decimal representation.
* If the sign bit is "1", then the number is negative.* If the sign bit is "0", then the number is positive.AD800000 (hex) = 2910846976 (dec)
2910846976 / 2^32 === Mantissa ===0.677734375
The mantissa holds the normalized number. The exponent in a decimal representation is manipulated so that the most significant bit is always 1. Since it is always 1, it is not stored. It's value is implied by the representation: 0.677734375
=== Exponent ===Now, the last byte contains the exponent: 86 (hex) or 134 (dec). You need to subtract 128 to get the real exponent, the highest bit tells you that the exponent is positive (1) or negative (0). Your exponent is 6.
The exponent is 8-bit and is stored in byte 40.677734375 * 2^6 = 43.375
It '''Another example:'''<br>PI is stored represented in memory as:<br>'''A2 DA 0F 49 82'''<br>The mantissa is<br>490FDAA2 (highest significant bit is zero => number is positive)The exponent is<br>82 (=positive mantissa, value=2 thus multiply mantissa with a bias of 128.2^2)<br>
* 128-255 are positive exponentsDelete the sign bit (which is 0 anyway),and then add the implied 1 bit:<br>* 0-127 are negative exponentsC90FDAA2 (hex) = 3373259426 (dec) = 1100.1001.0000.1111.1101.1010.1010. 0010 (bin)<br><br>
To obtain Calculate the signed exponent, you must subtract 128 from decimal representation of the stored exponent.mantissa:<br>3373259426 / 2^32 = 0,7853981633670628070831298828125<br><br>
The minimum Then add the exponent is (82h - 80h = 2 thus 2^2)<br>0 and this describes a number of ,7853981633670628070831298828125 * 2^-127.2 = 3,14159265346825122833251953125<br><br>
Voilà! The maximum exponent is 255 and this describes a number internal representation of 2^128.the number PI on the CPC is: 3,14159265346825122833251953125<br><br>
== BASIC floating-point/real variables ==
A floating point If you compare to a (realmore) variable describes a number with integer and fractional parts.correct representation of PI, you'll see that the CPC is correct up to the 9th decimal place:<br><br>
* A integer variable is defined with a "!" character postfix.
eCPC:<br>3.14159265346825122833251953125<br>more correctly:<br>3.1415926535897932384626433832795028841971693993751058209749445923078164062862089986..g.
a! = 3.141592654= BASIC floating-point/real variables ==
* A floating point (real ) variable describes a number uses 5 bytes of memory as storagewith integer and fractional parts. The format is described above. * The address of a real variable biggest figure which can be found stored correctly in BASIC RAM by:a variable is 2^32-1 = 4294967295.
PRINT @#*A integer variable is defined with a"!" character postfix.
Where "e.g. <pre>a" should be replaced with the name ! = 3.141592654</pre> #*A real number uses 5 bytes of the variablememory as storage.The format is described above. #*The address of a real variable can be found in BASIC by: <pre>PRINT @a!</pre>
== BASIC integer variables ==Where "a" should be replaced with the name of the variable.
A integer variable describes a whole number. i.e. a number without any fractional part.<br>
NOTES:== BASIC integer variables ==
* A integer variable is defined with describes a "%" character postfixwhole number. i.e. a number without any fractional part.
e.g.<br> NOTES:
#*A integer variable is defined with a"% = 3" character postfix.
e.g. <pre>a% = 3</pre> #* A integer variable has a range of -32768 to 32767 #* A integer variable always uses two bytes of memory as storage with the following format:
{| border="1"|-! Offset ! Length ! Description |-| 0 | 2 | Integer number * The address of the integer variable can be found in BASIC by:|}
#*The address of the integer variable can be found in BASIC by: <pre>PRINT @a%</pre>
where "a" should be replaced with the name of the variable.
== BASIC string variables ==
A string is a variable which contains a group of characters.
<br> NOTES:
#** A string variable is defined in BASIC with a "$" character postfix.
e.g.<pre>a$ = "hello"</pre> #**A string variable is described internally by a "string descriptor block" which has the following structure:
a$ {| border= "hello1"|-! Offset ! Length ! Description|-| 0 | 1 | Length of string in bytes/characters|-| 1 | 2 | Location of start of string|}
#* A string variable is described internally by a *The address of the "string descriptor block" which has for the following structurestring variable can be found in BASIC by typing:<pre>PRINT @a$</pre>
Offset Length Description 0 1 Length of string in bytes/characters 1 2 Location of start of string * The address of the replacing "string descriptor blocka$" for with the name of the string variable can be found in BASIC by typing:.
PRINT @#**A string uses a$minimum of 3 bytes of storage (a 0 character length string) and a maximum of 258 bytes of storage. 3 bytes are used by the "string descriptor block") #**A string variable can contain any ASCII character code in the range 0-255. #**A string variable can store a minimum of 0 characters and a maximum of 255 characters. #**The length of the string in characters is defined in the string descriptor block. The string does not have a termination character.
replacing "a$" with the name of the string variable.[[Category:Programming]] * A string uses a minimum of 3 bytes of storage (a 0 character length string) and a maximum of 258 bytes of storage. 3 bytes are used by the "string descriptor block")[[Category:BASIC| ]] * A string variable can contain any ASCII character code in the range 0-255.[[Category:CPC Internal Components]] * A string variable can store a minimum of 0 characters and a maximum of 255 characters.[[Category:Operating System| ]] * The length of the string in characters is defined in the string descriptor block. The string does not have a termination character.[[Category:Software]][[Category:Programming software| ]]