Sinclair ZX INTERFACE 1, ZX Microdrive User Manual

.

ZX

and

INTERFACE 1

ZX

Designed and prepared by
Cambridge Communication Limited

Note
The names ZX Microdrive and ZX Interface 1 are trademarks of

Sinclair Research Limited
Stanhope Road
Camberley
SlNrey
GU15 3PS

Tel: Camberley (0276) 685311

First Edition 1983

@Sinclair Research Limited

Front cover illustration by John Harris of Young Artists

MICRODRIVE

THE 2X INTERFACE 1.. .

incorporates the three functions of Microdrive controller, local area network
and RS232 Interface. Connect it to your Spectrum and you can control up
to eight Microdrives, communicate with other computers and drive a wide
range of printers.

THE 2X MICRODRIVE.. .

gives you fast Access to a large memory. Each Microdrive can hold up to

100K bytes using a single interchangeable cartridge.

THIS MANUAL . . .

introduces the idea of using BASIC as an

programming

communication links, to send and receive data along them and to manipulate

files. This adds enormously to its power to perform tasks in which:

- data is stored and retrieved,

- data and programs are sent to peripherals,

-

communication links are established with other Spectrum computers or
with other types of computer.

The combined use of BASIC as an operating system and a programming
language gives it a power and flexibility, and also an ease of use, to be
found in few larger computers.

language. This way, BASIC can be used to set up

operating system as well as a

You should read the chapters on the Microdrive even if you have not bought
one, since they introduce various concepts (about
their use) which you will need to understand.

This manual should only be read
ZX Spectrum Introduction booklet and with chapters 1 to 22 of the BASIC
programming manual.

after

you have familiarised yourself with the

channels

and .Weams and

Contents

Chapter 1 Setting up your 2X Interface 1
Chapter 2 Setting up your Microdrive 9

handling cartridges

protecting programs and data stored in cartridges

the

cartridge lifespan

Chapter 3 Starting with your Microdrive

15

auto-run

the catalogue

loading programs

Chapter 4 Programs and the Microdrive

saving, verifying, loading and merging programs
erasing programs
formatting and naming blank cartridges
setting up your own auto-run facility

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Data. channels and streams

Data and the Microdrive

opening and naming a data file
entering data
closing a file
reading back from a file

17

21

23

notes on PRINT and INPUT -separators

- changing weam

- setting colours

reading the file catalogue
protecting a file

extending a file

5

Chapter 7 The Local Area Network

setting up a network
programs and the network
data and the network
broadcasting

29

Chapter 8

Using the RS232 Interface

connecting peripherals to the RS232 Interface
t and b channels
the t channel
the b channel
sending control codes

35

Chapter 9

Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
Appendix 5
Appendix 6
Index

The MOVE statement

the printer .wver program

The net game
System variables
Microdrive and network channels

RS232 connections

Rep&S

The extended BASIC

39

41
45
47
49
51
55
59

Setting up your ZX Interface1

I

Unpacking the ZX Interface 1 you will have found:

-

this booklet,

-

the Interface itself (with two captive screws on the underside),

-

a ribbon cable about &ms long (for connecting the Interface to a
Microdrivel,

- a lead with a jack plug at either end (for setting up a network).

To attach the Interface to your computer you should:

1. Unplug the computer.

2. Disconnect the computer from its peripherals.

3. Using a Posidrive screwdriver remove the two screws on the underside
of the computer, as shown in the diagram below. (You will only
need these screws again if you later disconnect the Interface from

the computer.)

cl

I

10

4. Push the Interface edge connector firmly into the socket at the back
of the computer.

5. Screw the Interface to the underside of the computer using the two
captive screws supplied.

6

The diagram below shows what the various sockets on the Interface are for.

You can now either:

-

set up a Microdrive see page 9,

or

-

set up a network see page 29,

or

- connect the Interface to an RS232 peripheral see page 35.

7

Chapter 2

Setting up your Microdrive

Unpacking the Microdrive you will have found:

- the Microdrive itself,

- an electrical connector (for connecting this Microdrive to another one),

-

a prerecorded demonstration cartridge.

To attach the Microdrive to the Interface, push one end of the ribbon cable

(supplied with the Interface) firmly into the socket on the side of the

Interface. Then push the other end of the cable into the socket in the side

of the Microdrive.

If you have several Microdrives, the second one can be connected to the

first as follows.

1. Disconnect the Microdrive from the computer.

2. Turn both Microdrives upside down. You will find that each has a bracket
screwed to the underside.

3. Unscrew and remove both brackets.

4. Turn the Microdrives the right way up again.

5. Push one of the electrical connectors firmly into the socket on the side of
one of your Microdrives (as shown belowl.

6. Push the second Microdrive up against the first, so that the other end of
the electrical connector pushes into the socket on the side of the second

Microdrive.

7. Carefully turning the Microdrives over again, screw back one of the two
brackets - but this time so that it links up the two Microdrives. (The
remaining electrical connector, bracket and screws can now be kept for
linking up a further Microdrive.)

8. Turn the Microdrives the right way up again, and reconnect the one on
the right-hand end to the computer.

Note that the Microdrive nearest the computer is always known as

Microdrive 1, and the next along is Microdrive 2, and so on.
Notice also that on the front of each Microdrive there is a light.

This will come on whenever the Microdrive is running.

Handling cartridges
Every

cartridge c~nw in a protective box; and should always be kept in its

box when not in we.

When you take a cartridge out of its box (being careful not to touch the tape
itself) you will see that it has a label on the top and another on the side.

Push the cartridge firmly into the slot in the front of the Microdrive, making
sure that the label on the side faces upwards. This will leave the top of the
cartridge projecting by about %cm. The Microdrive and cartridge are now ready
to be used.

When you have finished using the cartridge, pull it carefully out of the

Microdrive, and replace it immediately in its box. But remember.. .

NEVER TAKE THE CARTRIDGE OUT OF THE
MICRODRIVE WHILE THE MICRODRIVE LIGHT IS ON.

NEVER SWITCH THE POWER ON OR OFF WHILE A

CARTRIDGE IS IN THE MICRODRIVE.

12

Protecting programs and data stored in cartridges

If you wish to protect the programs and data stored in a cartridge (that is,
prevent them from being over-written or erased) then you should snap off the
plastic tab from the side of the cartridge, as shown below.

(As with a cassette, you can reverse this effect by sticking vxne tape OWI

the place where the tab has been removed.)

The cartridge lifespan

Microdrive cartridges will not last forever, and will eventually need to be

replaced. The symptom of an ageing cartridge is that the computer will take

longer and longer to find a program or file before loading it. So it is a good
idea to keep back-up copies of important programs and files either on another

cartridge, or on a carsette.

13

Starting with your Microdrive

Auto-run

Now that you have set up your ZX Interface 1 and your Microdrive, you

will want to know what programs are waiting for you on the demonstration

cartridge. So. insert the cartridge into the Microdrive (or, if you have several
Microdrives, into Microdrive 1). and enter:

NEW

followed by:

RUN (and ENTER)

This will automatically load and run the first program on the cartridge. When
you have finished watching this program, read on.

The catalogue

To find out what other programs are stored in the demonstration cartridge,
enter the CAT&ague statement:

CAT 1

I

1 identifies the number of

the Microdrive you are using

In about seven seconds the television screen will display:

-

the name of the cartridge,

-

an alphabetical catalogue of the names of all the files stored in
the cartridge,

-

the amount of memory left in the cartridge (in kilobytes).

15

Loading programs

The next thing to do is LOAD whichever program you would like to st!t! next.

So, first choose your program, then enter:

After a short pause, the screen will display the OK message (though not the
name of the program). You can now run the program.

Programs and the Microdrive

Saving, verifying, loading and merging programs

In the ZX Spectrum Introduction booklet you found out how to SAVE

programs on a cassette tape. Saving programs in cartridges is iust as easy. Here

again is a program called Squares, much like the one in the Introduction

booklet:

10 REM Squares
20 FOR n=l TO I0
30 PRlNTn,n++n
40 NEXT n

To SAVE this on a cassette tape you would enter:

SAVE “Squares”

To SAVE it in the cartridge in Microdrive 1, you enter instead:

SAVE *“m”;l :“Squares”

After about six seconds the border will flash, and the program will be saved.
Try it and see.

(The names of programs stored in a cartridge, like those of programs stored on
a cassette tape, can be up to ten characters long.)

As you would expect, you can now check that the program has been saved by

entering:

VERIFY W”m”;l:“Squares”

The screen will then display the OK message.

You can now LOAD the program Squares by entering:

NEW

followed by:

LOAD *“m”;l ;“Squares”

then:

ENTER

17

Next, to make the program run automatically, try entering:

SAVE Y”m”;l;“Squarer 2” LINE 10

then:

NEW

and then:

LOAD++“m”;l:“Squares 2”

Programs can also be merged using a Microdrive. Enter:

NEW

followed by:

1bB REM more Squares
1lQ FOR n=ll TO 20
120 PRINT n,n*n
13Q NEXT n

And now enter:

MERGE *“m”;l;“Squares”

then:

ENTER

The program Squares will be added to the listing.

In short, as you have probably already realised, all the syntax used within
an ordinary cassette interface (explained in chapter 20 of the BASIC
programming manual) applies also to the Microdrive.

Erasing programs

Suppose you have just finished with the program Squares. To erase it, enter:

ERASE “m”;l;“Squares”

(As before “m”;l simply indicates which Microdrive you are using.)
During the ERASE statement the border will flash,
If you BREAK while saving a program then you will have an unclosed file

in the cartridge. You cannot LOAD an unclosed file, and an attempt to do so
will give the report file not found. The ERASE Statement can delete an
unclosed file, but will take about thirty seconds to do so because the compute!

checks the cartridge several times to make sure that the file has no end.

IS

Formatting and naming blank cartridges

If you have bought a blank cartridge, before you can use it you must insert

it into a Microdrive (say, into Microdrive 11 and enter this:

FORMAT “m”.l ~“name”

The computer takes about thirty seconds to format a cartridge. During this
time the border will first flash, then clear, then flash again, and finally
display the OK message. What the computer is doing is identifying any areas

that cannot be written to or read from and marking them to be avoided.

Formatting need never be repeated. Note, by the way, that when you format
a cartridge, any information it contains will be erased. So, if you have bought
several Microdrives,

and use them as blank cartridges.
Next type:

, ,

I \

you can FORMAT

your spare demonstration cartridges

CAT 1

I

1 identifier the “umber Of

the Microdrive you

In a few seconds, the television screen will display the cartridge’s name and
its capacity. The capacity will vary from cartridge to cartridge, but it should

never be less than 85 kilobytes.

are

using

19

Chapter 4

Setting up your own auto-run facility

Earlier, you used the auto-run facility on the demonstration cartridge. If
you have a program that you often use, you can set up your own auto-run
facility, so as to avoid repeatedly having to type the LOAD and RUN

statements. These are the rules to follow:

-

the program must be called run;

- the cartridge must be used in Microdrive 1;

- the facility must be used either immediately after switching on,

or immediately after entering NEW.

So, enter the required program, followed by:

10 SAVE %-“m”;l;“run” LINE number

the name run rn”Sf be
typed Olaf in ‘“Il. DO not
j”If pres rile RUN key

Now enter:

NEW

followed by:

RUN (and ENTER1

I
enter the ke”vdord,
not the file name

Note, however, that the MERGE statement does not work with any program

saved using the SAVE?+. LINE statement. (This is so as to protect such

programs.) An attempt to MERGE will give the report ‘Merge’error.

I \

enter here
the appropriate
line number

20

Data, channels and streams

As you know, a program is a set of operations which is executed when you
type RUN. Data, on the other hand, is any collection of letters, numbers or
symbols on which a program might operate. An example is the numbers

1 to 10 with their squares.
Data can be sent to, and come from, various parts of a computer system

Such parts are known as channels. The channels you can send data to are:

- your screen,

-

a ZX Printer,

-

a Microdrive file, to store it,

-

another ZX Spectrum computer, if both computers are on a network.

-

the RS232 Interface and from there, for example, to a modem or printer.

And the channels from which data can come are:

- the keyboard,

- a Microdrive file,

- another ZX Spectrum computer, if both computers are on a network,

- the RS232 Interface, a modem or a terminal.
The routes along which the data flows to and from these channels are

known asstreams. In the Spectrum computer system the number of these

streams is fixed at sixteen. They are numbered from 0 to 15, and stream

numbers are always preceded by the sign X

Four of these streams come already linked to channels:

stream # 0
stream Xl
stream #2 outputs to the upper part of the television screen,

stream #3 outputs via the ZX Printer; but cannot input.

output data to the lower part of the television
screen and

but cannot input;

input

from the keyboard;

21

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Every statement that produces input or output uses one of these streams Every statement that produces input or output uses one of these streams

automatically. For example, the PRINTstatement uses stream #2. and the automatically. For example, the PRINTstatement uses stream #2. and the

LPRINT statement uses stream #3. So, if you enter: LPRINT statement uses stream #3. So, if you enter:

PRINT “This is a Spectrum computer” PRINT “This is a Spectrum computer”

it is. in fact, shorthand for:

PRINT # 2;“This is a Spectrum computer”
Try entering both, and see,
You can, however, make any statement use a different stream by keying #

followed by the new stream number. Try entering:

LPRINT 8 2;“This is a Spectrum computer”

Instead of being printed by the ZX Printer, this line too appears on the

screen.

But as well as using the established stream-channels, you can create some of

your own. Streams#4 to #15 are free for this purpose; and there are various

channelspecifiers which enable you to indicate which peripheral you require.

Some of these are:

“K” for the keyboard
“S” for the screen

7”’ for the 2X Printer.
(You will be introduced to the others later.)
Note that K, S and Pare all established channels. They require you to use

commas (,) as separators in OPEN # statements. But with other channels YOU

can use either commas or semi colons I;).
To create your own stream-channels you use the OPEN # statement. For

example enter:

10 OPEN# 4,“s”

You will have opened stream 4 and linked it to channel S. Now enter:

20 PRINT* 4: “This is a Spectrum computer”

Again, the line will appear on the screen.
(It is not advisable to OPEN to streams 0, 1 or 2 as the results are unpredictable.1

22

Data and the Microdrive

Opening and naming a data file

When you store information in a cartridge you keep it in a file. You also give
the file a name so that you can find it again later. The statement that opens

and names a data file always takes the same form. For example try entering:

OPEN #4:“m”;l;“Numbers”

I\\

This statement does two distinct jobs:

- it sets up a new channel: “m”;l;“Numbers”

- it attaches this new channel to stream # 4.

This will have taken about seven seconds, during which time the
computer searches the cartridge for a file called “Numbers”. Since there is
no file “Numbers”, it opens a file for writing. (However, if it had found a
file “Numbers”, it would have opened it for reading. And had it found a

program “Numbers”. it would have given the report Wrong file type.)

Entering data

Once you have opened a file you can enter data. Suppose that you want to
store the numbers 1 to 10 with their squares.. Enter and run this:

10 FOR n=l TO 10
20 PRINT #4,n’nYn
30 NEXT n

You might think that all the numbers have now been stored away in the
cartridge. But in fact the computer does not automatically transfer anything
to the cartridge until a certain amount has built up, which it transfers all at

once. This is called buffering. A Microdrive buffer is 512 bytes (or characters)

long.

To store in the cartridge the data you have entered you must CLOSE the file.

Until this is done you will be unable to read back from the file.

23

Closing a file

Closing a file ensures that the file is safely stored in the cartridge. It also

closes the channel (in this case “m”;l;“Numberr”) and leaves the stream

(in this case* 4) with no channels attached. To CLOSE a file YOU need only

CLOSE the appropriate rtream. So enter:

CLOSE # 4

The border will then flash to show that something is being stored in the

cartridge.

(Note that, like the OPEN statement, the CLOSE statement is followed

autamatically by# .I

You cannot, by the way. CLOSE streamsX0, #l. #2 or X3. If you try to do
so, streams X0 and #l will default to channel K; stream # 2 will default to
channel S; and stream #3 will default to channel P (see page 22).

Reading back from a file

To read back from the file “Numbers”, run this:

10 OPEN #4:“m”;l;“Numbers”

20.FOR b=l TO 10
30 lNPUTX4;m;n

“5; p;The Square of Tim;” , is , “a

60 CLOSE # 4

RUN

(Note at this point that because the file “Numbers” already exists, the channel
“m”;l;“Numberr” is opened for input, and trying to output it would give an
errOr.)

You can also use INKEY$ to read back from a file lit always gives the next

character in the file). Try this program:

10 OPEN # ll;“m”;l;“listing”
20 LIST *ll
30 CLOSE X11

40 OPEN X 12;“m”;l ;“listing”

50 PRINT INKEY$ HZ;
60 GO TO 50

This will finish with the End of file report.

24

Notes on PRINT and INPUT

Because the PRINT and INPUT statements are designed mainly for use with

the screen and keyboard, you must take care when using them with files.

The PRINT statement uses three forms of separator:

- the ; (semi colon) prints nothing,

- the, (comma) takes you to the start of the next half line,

-

the ’ (apostrophe) gives a new line (the ENTER code).

The INPUT statement always expects you to type ENTER after a number or
a string. So. when you are printing to any file from which you expect to INPUT,

you must either:

- print the items singly, e.g.
10 PRINT #4;2

20 PRINT #4;3

- separate them with an apostrophe, e.g.

10 PRINT#4;2’3

You must also take care when using separators in an INPUT statement. As you
know, INPUT can print to the bottom half of the screen anything that you

can put in a PRINT statement. But when you INPUT from a file, the file is

only open for reading. So, if you include anything that would be printed when
using the screen, you will get the error report Writing to a ‘read’ file. This
means that items in the INPUT statement should be separated with a semi

colon, e.g.

10 INPUT #4:a:b

Be careful also when you INPUT a string containing ” (quotes), because the

INPUT will think that the ” is the end of the string. The way round this is to

replace, for example:

10 INPUT#4;a$

with

10 INPUT#4; LINE a$

25

changing sfrearns

PRINT statements may also contain information for several strearm at a time.

The following program will print “one” on the screen; “two” to a Microdrive
file called “digits” in Microdrive 1; “three” to station 1 on a network (see
chapter 7); and “four” to the next line on the screen.

10 OPEN #4:“m”;l:“digits”
20 OPEN # 5:“n”;l
30 PRINT “one”; #4;“two”;#5:“three” ’ X 2”four”

40

CLOSE #4

50

CLOSE #ki

setting colours

After using a channel other than the screen, you may find that the PAPER
and INK statements have no effect. To get round this, enter:

PRINT;

before setting PAPER and INK.

For more about PRINT and INPUT see chapter 15 of the Basic Programming
manual.

26

Reading the file catalogue

As you establish files in a cartridge they are automatically catalogued. So,

when you want to find out what files a cartridge contains, you need only

insert the cartridge into a Microdrive and enter the CATalogue statement.
For example, enter:

CAT 1

The television screen will display:

-

the cartridge name,

- the file names,

- the amount of memory left in the cartridge, (in kilobytes).
You can also send the output of CAT to a stream by entering:

CAT # number;number

I \

This enables you to rend the catalogue to a printer, or to a file, so that a
program can use it.

Protecting a file

If you do not want a file name to appear on the catalogue, you can
protect it by giving it a name beginning with the character whose CODE
is 0. Enter this:

10 OPEN #4,“m”;l;CHR$0+“Results”

20 FOR n=l TO 15
30 PRINT #4;n,n)cn
40 NEXT n
50 CLOSE +4

Now enter:

CAT 1

The file name will not appear. So, whenever you create a protected file.
remember to make a note of its name somewhere, in case you forget it
later!

27

Extending a file

Suppose that you want to extend the file “Numbers” to include the squarer
of the numbers 1 to 20 instead of only 1 to 10. You cannot
writing, so you will have to:

-

make a new version with a different name;

-

transfer the old file to the new version;

-

add the extra data;

- delete the old file.
Here is how to do it.
First, RUN this program:

10 OPEN #4;“m”;l;“Numbers”: REM for reading
2Q OPEN # 5;“m”;l;“Numbers 1”: REM for writing
30 FOR f=l TO l@
40 INPUT # 4;m;n
50PRlNTX5;m’n
60 NEXT f
74 FOR n=ll TO 20
80 PRINT X 5;n’nX-n
90 NEXT n

100 CLOSE X4:CLOSE Y 5

Now, to check that you have got two files, “Numbers”and “Numbers 1”.

enter:

reopen a

file for

CAT 1

Next, to delete the old file, enter:

ERASE “m”~l~“Numbers”

I I

To check that it has been deleted, enter:

CAT 1

The file name “Numbers” will have disappeared from the catalogue, and

your new file, “Numbers 1” now contains the numbers from 1 to 20.

Chapter 7

The Local Area Network

Setting up a network

The local area network, or net, enables you and your friends to play
computer games together, and to send each other programs and data. This
means that only one of you need ever type in a program. A net is especially
useful. too. if only one of you has a Microdrive.

Using the lead supplied with each Interface you can link up as few as two
and as many as sixty-four Spectrum computers, as shown below.

Note, however, that you and your friends should not form a loop of

computers: the computers at each end of the net should never be connected
to each other. Each should be left with one net socket free.

NEVER SWITCH ON OR OFF A SPECTRUM WHICH IS ON A NET
WHILE COMMUNICATION IS IN PROGRESS. You may, however,
have a switched off Spectrum on the nei; and you may also switch on
or off Spectrums which are on a net provided that communication is

not in progrf?s.

29

When you have set up a net, each computer (orstarion) should be given a
different identification number. So, first decide with your friends what
number each station is to have, and then each of you should enter:

FORMAT “n”;number

I

enter here the station
number you have chore”

Note, incidentally. that if there are only two computers on a net, both can
use the same station number. And, since both computers, when switched on,
become station 1 automatically, there is no need to use the FORMAT
statement at all.

Programs and the network

Let us suppose that you have a friend called Jack and that both of your

computers are on a net. Your station number is, let us say, 1, and Jack’s is 2.
Suppose that you want to send Jack this program:

10 REM roots
20 FOR n=l TO 10
30 PRINT n,SQRn

40 NEXT n

Enter the program, followed by:

SAVE Q “n”;Z

(Notice that the net does not use program names.)
Meanwhile, Jack should enter:

FORMAT “n”;2

followed by:

LOAD +?“n”;l

Jack will now have a copy of the program. Notice, though, that while the

computer is waiting to SAVE or LOAD a program over the net. the border

of the screen goes black until the program is sent. Your computer will
not send until Jack’s is ready, and Jack’s will wait until something is sent.
Try entering your SAVE line before Jack enters his LOAD line, and vice versa.

30

Chapter 7

To verify that Jack now has a copy of your program, he should enter:

VERIFY*“n”;l

while you repeat the sending of the program by entering:

SAVE++“n”;2

SAVE is. in fact. the only statement that sends programs over the net. The

LOAD, VERIFY and MERGE statements are all ways of receiving programs.

The net game in Appendix 1 is a good example of how to use programs with
a network.

Data and the network

Suppose that you now want to send Jack some data. The statement OPEN
#4;“n”;2 opens a channel to station 2 on the net l”n”1, and attaches stream
#4. to it, so that when you output along stream #4. your message will be put
on the net with a note saying that it comes from you.

(Conversely, were you to enter lNPUT# 4;“n”;Z your computer would wait
for information addressed to you from Jack.)

Now enter this program:

10 OPEN #4:“n”;2: REM for output

20 INPUT a$: PRlNT#4;a$
30CLOSEx4
40 OPEN X4;“n”;2: REM for input
50 lNPUTt4;bS: PRINT b$
60 CLOSE X4
70 GO TO 10

Then enter:

SAVE -%“n”;2

31

Now ask Jack to enter:

FORMAT “n”;2

then:

LOAD ++%“;I

You should now run your program, and Jack should edit lines 10 and 40 of
the program to make them refer to station 1 not station 2. He should then
enter:

GO TO 40

You are now ready to start a conversation. But before you do so there are
three things you should know.

Your output along stream # 4

put on the net until a certain amount of output has accumulated. So
whenever you finish outputting you should CLOSE the stream. This will
send the buffer even if it is not full. (The buffers are 255 bytes. or
characters, long.)

- Your output is marked as coming specifically from you, so that if Jack
is inputting or waiting for output from a different net channel. your

message will be ignored. If your message
not display the OK message, and the border of the screen will go black,
until Jack asks to receive the message.

- Though the INPUT statement simply waits for something to be sent, the
INKEY$ statement can be used to read the net. It will then return with

the first byte of anything that either has been sent. or is waiting to be sent,

(Otherwise it will return the empty string.) This is known as polling.
(INKEY$, in fact, works the same way with the net as it does with the

keyboard.1

The program below will print anything bein,g sent to it by station 1:

10 OPEN # 8;“n”;l
20 PRINT lNKEY$ #8;

30 GO TO 20

(For more on INKEY$ see chapter 18 of the BASIC programming manual.)

is

buffered:

that is, it is not automatically

has

been ignored your screen will

32

Chapter 7

Broadcasting

There is also a special net channel called broadcast whose channel specifier is

“n”;@. When you input from this channel you will pick up any message that
is being broadcast. And when you output, your message can be read by
anyone who is inputting from channel “n”;O.

This could, for example, be very useful at school if every pupil in a class has
a Spectrum computer, but only the teacher has a Microdrive.

Suppose the teacher wished to broadcast a program. First, the pupils should
enter:

LOAD St-“n”;Q

This will leave the pupils ‘waiting’ to receive the program. The teacher should

then save the program by entering:

SAVE -X”n”;Q

As you may have guessed, broadcasts (unlike private messages) are sent at

once, and do not wait for other computers to be ready to receive them.

Note, by the way, that when you send a broadcast, the computer does not

let you know if anyone has received it.

Note also that INKEY$ will not poll the broadcast channel. Like INPUT,

it will simply wait for something to be sent.

33

34

Chapter a

Using the RS232 Interface

Connecting peripherals to the RS232 Interface

As you know, the Spectrum character set comprises both single symbols
(letters, digits, etc.) and compound tokens (keywords, function names. etc.).
All these characters can be sent and received by the RS232 Interface to and

from any compatible serial device; for example, a printer, a modem or another

RS232 Interface connected to a different kind of computer.

To connect any of these peripherals to the RS232. you should use a lead

with a B-way D-plug on one end and an appropriate plug for your peripheral

on the other. You should insert the D-plug into the back of the RS232, as
shown below. (For wiring details, see Appendix 4, page 49.)

Next, before you can use the RS232 you will need to adjust some of the

settings on the peripheral. These may include:

- the auto line feed, which should normally be switched to off. (The
Spectrum outputs a carriage return and a line feed on a “t” channel but
a carriage return only on a “b” channel. These t and b channels are
explained below.)

-

the parity on/off, which should be set to off.

- the number of bits, since the Spectrum puts out eight bits.

- the number of stop bits, since the Spectrum puts out one stop bit.

35

- the baudrate (i.e. the number of bits per second). The Spectrum can
operate at all the standard baud rates, i.e.:

5O.l1O,3OO,6OO,12OO,24OO,48OO,96OO and 19,200.

You should set your peripheral to use the highest baud rate of which it is

capable. (You will see later how to set the Spectrum to use the same baud

rate.)

For an explanation of how to make there adjustments, consult the instruction

book supplied with your peripheral.

t and b channels

The RS232 uses two different channels: the t channel and the b channel,

The t channel

The t (or text) channel is normally used to send listings. Channel t has the

following effect on the character set:

0-31

(the control codes) are not sent, except for 13 (carriage return)

which is sent as 13 followed by 10 (carriage return and line feed).

32-127

128-164

(the ASCII codes) are sent as normal.
(the graphic characters) are not sent. The message ? (code 63) is

sent instead.

165-255 (the tokens) are expanded into ASCII codes 32-127.

On INPUT and INKEY$ the t channel expects 7 bit characters, so it ignores

the 8th bit if there is one.

To use the t channel, first you must tell the computer which baud rate to use.
so enter:

10 FORMAT

“t”;baud rare

I
enter here the baud
rate you have set
your peripheral to
ure

36

Now to OPEN a stream to it, enter:

20 OPEN X3;“t”

30 LLIST

The border of the screen will flash and the listing will be sent to the peripheral.

(Notice that LLIST is shorthand for LIST #3.) Now enter:

LPRINT “This is a short message.”

This message, too, will be sent to the device.

If your ZX Interface is connected to a terminal or an RS232 device capable of

sending, then you can INPUT from the terminal or device. Enter this:

10 FORMAT “t”:baud rate
20 OPEN #4:“t”
30 PRINT INKEY$ s.44;
40 GO TO 30

Now, whatever you type on the terminal or device will appear on your screen.

-enter here the baud

The b channel

The b (or binary) channel sends the full 8 bit codes used by the Spectrum,
and allova you to send control codes to printers etc.

With INPUT and INKEY$ the b channel expects 8 bit characters.

SAVE and LOAD will only work with the b channel

If you are using modems to connect your computer with another Spectrum

over a ‘phone line; or if you are storing your programs on a different kind of

computer which also has an RS232 Interface, you may well want to SAVE

and LOAD over the RS232 Interface. To do this, enter:

FORMAT “b”:baod rate

I

Now, for example, enter:

10 REM figures
20 FOR n=l TO 10

30 PRINT n,n*RND
40 NEXT n

SAVE -%“b”

37

If this program is being sent via a modem, saneone at the other end should

enter:

LOAD *“b”

The usual extensions are also possible, such as:

SAVE Y”b”;SCREEN $

and:

SAVE W’b”; LINE number

Sending control codes

Many printers allow you to send instructions for such operations as double
width printing. To send these you should use the b channel. However, with
the b channel, the carriage return does not include a line feed. So you will
have either to change the settings on your printer, or print the line feed

code: 10.

For example, suppose that the control code for double width printing is 14.
Enter:

10 OPEN X4; “b”
20 PRINT* 4; “Normal width”
30 PRINT #4;CHR$14;“Double width”

40

CLOSE #4

(For the correct control codes to use, refer to your printer’s instruction book.1

You can have both b and t channels open at once. Try entering this:

10 OPEN #5:-b”

20

OPEN 3t6;“t”

30PRINT#5;CHR$14;

40LIST#6

50 CLOSE #5: CLOSE #6

This would give you a double width listing.

38

The MOVE statement

So far, you have only been able to move data from a program to a channel
or vice versa. The MOVE statement, however, enables you to move data from
one channel to another. For example, to move data from the keyboard to the
screen, enter:

10MOVE#lTO#2

then:

RUN

Anything you type on the keyboard will now appear on the screen. However,
you will discover that when you press BREAK this only prints a space on the

screen. To escape from this trap, press ENTER until the print position reaches

the bottom of the screen. Then, when the computer asks scroll? you should
press BREAK. (You should, by the way, avoid moving data from the keyboard
to any other stream since you may be unable to BREAK out of such a mode.)

Using the MOVE statement you can also examine files stored in cartridges.

For example, set up the file “Numbers” (see page 23) and then, to

examine its contents, enter:

10 MOVE “m”:l;“Numbers” TO #2

(Note that you need not OPEN or CLOSE the file yourself. MOVE does this.)
Similarly, to make a copy of the file “Numbers”enter:

10 MOVE “m”;l;“Numbers” TO “m”;l;“Numbers 2”

Here, MOVE opens a stream for reading from the existing file (“Numbers”)
and another for writing to the new file (“Numbers 2”). Next, it reads the data
in “Numbers” and writes it out in “Numbers 2”. Then it closes both streams.

MOVE will work with stream numbers (such as #41, and with channel
specifiers (such as “m”;l;“Numbers”J. Note, however, that the established
streams, #l to #3, may not be specified by the channel specifiers K, S or P.

If you have a second Microdrive. you can use the MOVE statement to make

back-up copies of data in another cartridge. Enter:

10 MOVE “m”;l;“Numbers” TO “m”;2;“Numbers 2”

(Note that MOVE only works with data files. If you want a back-up copy of
a program, you must LOAD the program. and then SAVE it.)

39

It is sensible to make back-up copies of any data or programs you want to
keep.

The MOVE statement can also send files to a printer. So if you have a

ZX Printer, enter:

10 MOVE “m”:l ;“Numberr” TO # 3

The

Printer Server program

This program allows one Spectrum on a “et to control a” RS232 printer.
The printer can then be used by all the other computers on the “et. This is
useful, for example, if a group of people using Spectrums have only one high
quality printer among them which they wish to share. The program also

shows a powerful “se of the MOVE statement.

The Printer Server computer must always be station 64, and must always
make contact with station 62 (which is a contact-establishing station). So the

sender temporarily uses station 62, and sends it his real station number from

which it then moves a file to the t channel. To set up a Printer Server station

use this program:

IO FORMAT “n”;64
20 OPEN #4;“n”;62: INPUT #4;a$: CLOSE #4
30 MOVE “II”; CODE a$ TO “t”
40 OPEN X4;“b”: PRINT x~;CHR$ 12: CLOSE X4: RUN

(Line 40 sends a form feed.)

The program below is the one the” used by the sender. First, the sender’s
station is temporarily set to station 62. Then, the sender’s real station number
is sent. Next the sender’s station sets itself back to its real number. Last,
line 60 sends whatever data is to be printed (in this case. the listing).

10 LET rtation=number

enter here the renc3er.r

real Ifation number

20 FORMAT “n”;62
30 OPEN~X4;“n”;64: PRINT #4;CHR$ station: CLOSE #4

40 FORMAT “n”;rtation

50 OPEN #4:“““;64
60 LIST #4

70

CLOSE #4

40

The net game

There is a copy of this game on the demonstration cartridge supplied with
the Microdrive. Its file name is “net game”. The program gives a good
example of how the net can be used. Parts of it might usefully be included

in programs of your own.

The game

To play this game. you and your opponent must each think of a number
between 1 and 100. The winner of the game is the one who guesses his
opponent’s number first. At each guess you make, your computer will tell
you how close you are getting.

The program

The subroutine at line 500 decides who is user 1 and who is user 2. This is

so that, when you exchange guesses, one of you uses the subroutine at

line 1100, and the other uses the subroutine at line 1200; and thus user 1

sends first and user 2 receives first.

Your computer decides who is user 1 by sending your opponent’s computer
the message “1”. and then listening. If it receives back a “1”. this means that
your opponent’s computer was switched on after yours. Your computer
therefore rends a “2” to your opponent’s computer, and makes itself user 1.

(If, on the other hand, your computer receives back a “2”. this means that

your opponent’s computer was already switched on and listening when your

computer sent the “1”. Your computer will therefore make itself user 2.)

If both computers start at the same time they will collide and it will be

necessary to BREAK and start again.
The body of the program is involved with exchanging names, inputting the

secret number (which is not sent) and then comparing guesses. First, guesses
are sent, and then the replies.

Lines 190 onwards detect a win, signal it appropriately, and then offer

another game.

41

10 GO SUB 500
20 PRINT; : BORDER 1 : PAPER 1 : INK 7 : CLS
30 PRINT ” Number guessing game” ’ ’ ”

then guess your opponent’s”
40 INPUT ‘What is your name?“;&
50 PRINT
60 GO SUB 1000+100*user
70 PRINT “You are playing”;b$
75 PRINT ‘a$, b$
80 lNPUT”Think of a number (I to 100)“;a
90 IFa<lORa>l00ORa<>INTaTHENGOTO80

130 INPUT “Make a guess”;b
140 LET a$-STR$b : GO SUB 1000+100 user
150 LET c=ABS (a-VAL b$)
160 IF c=0 THEN LET a$=“Right”: GO TO 170
161 IF c<4 THEN LET a$=“Very very close”: GO TO 170
162 IF ccl0 THEN LET a$=“Very close”: GO TO 170
163 IF c<20THEN LET a$=“close”: GO TO 170
164 IF cc40 THEN LET a$=“fairly close”: GO TO 170
165 IF cc60 THEN LET a$=“not very close”: GO TO 170
166 LET a$=“nowhere near”
170 GO SUB 1000+100++user
780 PRINT bS,a$

190 IF c=0 OR b$=“Right” THEN GO TO 210
200 GO TO 130
210 IF b$=“Right” THEN PRINT FLASH 1;“Victory”: FOR n-0 TO 7 :

BORDER n: BEEP.l,n:BEEP.l,n+l6:NEXTn:GOTO230

220 PRINT ,“Defeat”: FOR n=7 TO 0 STEP -1: BORDER n :

BEEP.2.n: NEXT n

230 BORDER 1 : INPUT “Another game? (~/#‘;a$
240 IF a$=“‘~” THEN RUN 20

499 STOP
500 OPEN #4;%“;0

510 PRINT#4:“1”
520 CLOSE X4

530 OPEN #4;“n”:0
540 INPUT #4;a$
545 CLOSE #4
550 LET a=4 : IF a$=‘?” THEN OPEN #a;“n”;B: PAUSE 5: PRINT#4;

“2”: LET user=1

560 IF a$=‘? THEN LET user=2

’ ’ “Hello”;a$

First enter your secret number,

42

570 CLOSE #4

580 FORMAT “n”;user: RETURN
1100 OPEN *4;“n”;3-user
Ill@ PRINT#4;&
1120 CLOSE*4
1130 OPEN #4;%“;3-us%
1140 INPUT #4;b$
1150 CLOSE*4
1160 RETURN

1200 OPEN # 4;%“;3-user
1210 lNPUT#4;b$

1220 CLOSE #4

1230 OPENX4:“n”;3-user
1240 PRINT #4;a$
1258 CLOSE #4
1260 RETURN

43

44

System variables

In addition to the system variables given in Chapter 25 of the Spectrum BASIC
programming manual, the Microdrive. local area network and RS232 software
use the system variables below.

NOtC?A

Xl
x2
x10
2

1 23749 NTSTAT

1 23750 IOBORD

N2
N2
N2
1
1

1
x2
Nl

Xl
Nl

Nl
N2

Nl
Nl
N2
N2
NB

Nl

Address Name

23734 FLAGS 3
23735 VECTOR
23737 SBRT
23747 BAUD

23751 SER-FL
23753 SECTOR
23755 CHADD­23757 NTRESP
23758 NTDEST

23759 NTSRCE
23760 NTNUMB
23762 NTTYPE
23763 NTLEN
23764 NTDCS
23765 NTHCS

23766 D-STRl

23768 S-STRl
23769 L-STRl
23770 N-STRl
23772
23774 D-STR2

23782 HD-00

Contents

Flags

Address used to extend the BASIC interpreter

ROM paging subroutine
Two byte number determining the, baud rate
calculated as follows:

BAUD=(3500000/(26*baud rate))-2
You can use this to set up non-standard baud rates
Own network station number

Border colour used during I/O
You can POKE any colour you want
2 byte workspace used by RS232
2 byte workspace used by Microdrive
Temporary store for CH-ADD
Store for network response code

Beginning of network buffer

contains destination station number 0-64

Source station number

Network block number 0-65535

Header type code

Data block length 0-255

Data block checksum

Header block checksum
Start of 8 byte file specifier
2 byte drive number 1-B
Stream number 1-15
Device type “m”, “II”, “t” or “b”

Length of filename
Start of filename
Second 8 byte file specifier

used by MOVE and LOAD commands
Start of workspace for SAVE, LOAD, VERIFY
and MERGE data type code

45

Appendix 2

Notes Address Name contents

N2
N2
N2 23787 HD-OF Program length 0-65535
N2 23789 HD-11 Line number
1 23791 COPIES Number of copies made by SAVE

23783

23785 HD-QD Start of data 0-65535

23792 Start of Microdrive MAPS or CHANS

HD-‘38

Length of data 0-65535

WARNINGS

1. Opening a stream to the Microdrive or net requires a certain amount of
free memory with which to create a channel. A Microdrive channel is 595
bytes, and a net channel is 276 bytes. These channels will be created either
by OPEN#, MOVE or by SAVE/LOAD/VERIFY/MERGE. This meant

that an existing program with insufficient room below RAMTOP will give

the report Out of memory to any of these operations.

2. Another effect of the creation of these buffers is to move machine code
stored in a REM statement. This may create problems. So always put machine

code programs above RAMTOP.

3. It is inadvisable to BREAK during a Microdrive write operation (one during
which the border is flashing), since you may end up with an unclosed file.
ERASE will remwe unclosed files, but will take about thirty seconds to
do so, as the computer checks the cartridge several times to make sure that

the file has no end.

46

Microdrive channel‘

Every time a file is opened an area called a CHANNEL is created in the area
designated CHANS in the BASIC programming manual. This area is usually
addressed by the IX register in the software. The channel has a length of

595 bytes. and contains the 512 byte buffer.
The contents of the channel are as follows:

0

2

4

5
7
9

11

13 CHREC

14 CHNAME

24

25 CHDRIV

26 CHMAP

28

40

41
42
44

54

55

67 RECFLG

68 RECNUM Number of this record in the range 0-255

CHBYTE Current byte counter indicates the next byte to be

CHFLAG

CHMAP

HDFLAG

HDNUMB

HDNAME
HDCHK

Address 8
Address 8
‘M’
Address of output subroutine in ROM
Address of input routine in ROM
Address 595

added or removed from the data area in the range
0-512 inclusive

Record number. Indicates the position of the record
in a file range 0-255
10 byte filename with trailing spaces
Flag byte bit 0 set. open for write

clear. open for read

bits l-7 unused

Drive number
Address of the MAP for this Microdrive

12 bytes of header preamble marks the start of

the header workspace

Flag byte bit 0 set

Sector number in range 0-255
Unused
Cartridge name and trailing spaces
Header checksum
12 bytes of data block preamble.. marks the start

of the data workspace

Flag byte bit 0 = 0

0-J

bits l-7.. unused

bit Z=not a PRINT file
bits 3-7 unused

47

69 RECLEN Number of bytes of data in this record &512

71
81
82

594

MAP

For every Microdrive containing an opened file there is an area called a MAP

created in the area called “Microdrive maps” in the BASIC programming

manual. The MAP contains 32 bytes. Each bit corresponds to a sector on the
corresponding Microdrive. If that sector contains data or if it is unusable then
the bit is ret. The bits are numbered as follows: bit 0 byte 0 = sector 0,

bit 1 byte 0 =sector 1, bit 0 byte 1 = sector 8. and so on.

RECNAM Filename with trailing spaces
DESCHK
CHDATA
DCHK Checksum of the preceding 512 bytes

Checksum of the preceding 14 bytes
512 bytes of data

Network channel

When a stream is opened to the network, a channel is created in the area
designated CHANS in the BASIC programming manual. This area is usually

addressed by the IX register in the software. The channel has a length of

276 bYtes, and contains the 255 byte buffer.
The contents of the channel are described as follows:

0

2

4
5
7

9
11
12
13
15
16
17
18 NCHCS
19

20
21 NC6

49

NCIRIS
NCSELF
NCNUMB
NCTYPE
NCOBL
NCDCS

NCCUR
NCIBL

Address 8
Address 8
“N”

Address of output subroutine in ROM
Address of input subroutine in ROM
Address 276

The destination station number

This SPECTRUM’s station number
The block number
The packet type code. .0 data, 1 EOF

Number of bytes in the data block
The data checksum
Theheaderchecksum
The position of the last character taken from the buffer
The number of bytes in the input buffer
A 255 byte data buffer

RS232 connections

The RS.232 socket is wired as follows:

1. No connection

2. TX data (input)

3. RX data (output)

4. DTR (input) this should be high when ready

5. CTS (output1 this should be high when ready

6. n.c.

7. Ground (pull down)

8. n.c.

9. +9v (pull up)

An RS232 cable is available from Sinclair Research. which connects the
9 way D-socket to a 25 way D-plug (25 way D-sockets are comma” on

RS232 peripherals). For details of how to obtain this cable, see the software
and peripherals catalogue included with the ZX Interface 1. This cable is
wired as follows:

2. TX data

3. RX data

5. CTS

6. +9v (normally DSR)

7. Ground

20 DTR

49

50

Reports

Now that you have attached a ZX Interface 1 to your computer, your
programs may produce reports which are not described in Appendix 6 of
the BASIC programming manual. Suctc reports will be followed by the line
number and statement number at which the program stopped.

These new reports are explained (in alphabetical order) below.

Code error

You have tried to LOAD a code block that is larger than the destination area

specified by your LOAD statement.

Drive ‘write’ protected

You have tried to write data to a Microdrive containing a protected cartridge
(i.e. one with the plastic tab on the side removed).

File not found

This means that either you have tried to LOAD from a file which does not

exist. or part of the file cannot be found. (This would either be because the

file has not been closed, or because the file has been damaged by the power
being switched on or off while the cartridge was in a Microdrive.)

Invalid device expression

A device has been specified other than s,p,k,m,n,t or b. The same report can be
produced if a semi-colon, rather than a comma, is used with one of the channels

s,p or k.

invalid drive number

A Microdrive number has been specified outside the range 1 to 8,

Invalid name

A file name has been specified as an empty string or a string with more than

ten characters.

Invalid station number

A network station has been specified outside the range 0 to 64 (or outside the

range 1 to 64 for FORMAT statements).

Invalid stream number

A stream has been specified outside the range Q to 15.

51

Merge error

You have tried to MERGE data or code. You can only MERGE programs.

This report will also appear if you have tried to MERGE a program saved by
the SAVE . . . LINE.. statement.

Microdrive full

You have tried to write data to a cartridge containing no free space. You
should therefore run your program or command again, with a cartridge that
does contain free space. This can be done by erasing old files from the present
cartridge. A file opened for writing on the full cartridge cannot be cloned.

It should be erased. This will, however, take about thirty seconds because the

computer checks the cartridge several times to make sure that the file has

no end.

Microdrive not present

You have either tried to use a Microdrive which is not attached to your

computer. or a Microdrive which does not contain a cartridge. or a Microdrive
containing an unformatted cartridge.

Missing baud rate

The baud rate has not been specified.

Missing drive number

The Microdrive number has not been specified.

Missing name

The file name has not been specified.

Missing station number

The network station number has not been specified.

Program finished

You have tried to execute a line beyond any existing line. This report will
appear if a GOT0 instruction is followed by a number beyond any existing
line. It will also appear if RUN is typed without a program.

Reading a ‘write’ file

You have tried to input data from a file which does not yet exist, or which
has already been opened for input.

52

Stream already open

You have tried to OPEN to a stream which has already been opened to a

new channel (m,n,t ot bl. The stream can only be opened if it is first closed.

Verification has failed

A saved file does not agree with the program. data or code currently in the
computer.

Writing to a ‘read’ file

You have tried to output data to an existing file. The existing file should be
erased if it is not needed. Otherwise. a new file should be used.

Wrong file type

You have tried either to INPUT or MOVE a saved file or to LOAD, VERIFY
or MERGE a PRINT type of file, or to LOAD a CODE or DATA file as a

program (or vice versa).

If you are using INPUT then you should be using LOAD. If you are using

LOAD then either you should use the CODE or DATA options or YOU should
“se INPUT.

53

The extended BASIC

The ZX Interface 1 extends the BASIC already in the Spectrum. The
extensions and additions are summarised below.

Streams

Streams are specified as # n where n is a number in the range 1-l 5. Streams

1, 2 and 3 are usually used by BASIC. The # character is part of the keyword

for the OPEN Y and CLOSE X statements.

Channels

There are seven types of channel in the extended BASIC; the keyboard (k),
the screen (s), the ZX Printer (p), the text RS232 Interface (t), the binary

RS232 Interface (b), the network (II) and the Microdrive (m).

Each channel type is specified by its letter which may be upper case or lower
case. The network and Microdrive require additional information to specify the
channel completely.

A network channel requires a station number, so a network channel is
specified as “n”;x where x is a station number in the range Q-64.

A Microdrive channel requires a Microdrive number and a file name. so a

Microdrive channel is specified as “m”;y;“name” where v is the Microdrive
number in the range of l-6 and “name” is a string of between 1 and 10
characters.

CAT y

CAT # z;y Sends the catalogue of the cartridge in

CLOSE #stream

Gives a list of all the files in the cartridge in
Microdrive y. The list is presented in alphabetical
order and is preceded by the name of the cartridge
and followed by the remaining capacity in
kilobytes.

Microdrive y. as described above, to stream z.
Unlinks any channel from the specified stream.

If there is any buffered data then this is either

transmitted ion the network) or recorded

(on the Microdrive).

55

Statements

ERASE “m”;y;“name”

Erases the file with the specified name from the

cartridge in Microdrive v.

FORMAT “m”;y;“name”

FORMAT “n”;x

FORMAT “t”;x
FORMAT”b”;x ]

INKEY #Stream

INPUT #Stream;variable

Prepares a blank Microdrive cartridge in
Microdrive y for “se by BASIC. The name “name”
is given to the cartridgi and this will appear in

catalogues.

Sets the network station number to x.

Set the baud rate for the RS232 Interface

to x (x should be chosen from one of the
standard baud rates 50, 110, 300,600, 1200,

2400,4800,9600,19200).

Returns a single character as a string if a

character is available, and returns the null string

” ” if no character is available from the stream.

This instruction is only meaningful if the stream

is linked to the network. or the RS232 Interface.

Inputs the variable from the specified stream.
The stream must previously have been opened
to an input channel. It is important to note that
any print items in the INPUT statement will be
output to the stream. This is usually only
required when inputting from the keyboard.

It should also be noted that the “,” separator

outputs a character.
The LINE option is available as before.

LOAD * channel options

MERGE -Yr channel options

56

Loads the program, data or code from the

specified channel. Only the channels “b”, “II”

or “m” may be used.
All the options available with LOAD are

available with LOAD*.

The same as LOAD above except that it does

not delete old program lines or variables except
to make way for new ones with the same line

number or name.

Statements

MOVE source TO

destination

Moves data from the source to the destination.
The source and destination may be either stream
numbers or channels.

The command only terminates when an end of
file marker is encountered in the source: thin can
only happen if the source is either a network or

Microdrive channel or else a stream linked to one.

If the source or destination is a channel then it
is effectively opened first and closed afterwards.

OPEN #stream, channel

PRINT # stream.

SAVE C+ channel options

VERIFY

-X channel options The

Links the specified channel to the specified

stream in order to allow BASIC input or
output to that channel. The stream must

previously be closed or opened to k, s or

Outputs the print sequence (. .) to the

specified stream. The stream must previously
have been opened to an outp”t channel.

The print sequence has the same syntax as
before, and may contain further # tokens.

Saves the program, data or code to the specified
channel. Only the channels “b”, “II” or “m”
may be used.

All the options available with SAVE are available

with SAVE*.

same as LOAD above except that data is not

loaded but is compared with the data already

there.

p,

57

Index

This index includes the keys on the keyboard and how to obtain them,

A

apostrophe (‘)
ASCII

auto-line feed

auto-run

B

b channel
baud rate
binary,see b channel
bits,numberput put

by Spectrum
BREAK
broadcasting
buffers

C
CATalogue
channels
channel specifiers
character set
CLOSE#
colourr,changing
cOrnma (,)
control codes

CAPS SHiFTand SPACE.

H.SYMBOLSHIFT9.

21ff.36ff. 39.46.48.55

0. SYMBOL SHIFT 5.

37,38,55

l&39,46

15.19.27.28.55

23,24,32,39,55

36,37,38

25
36
35

15.20

36

35

33

23,32

22,39

36

26

22,25

E

ERASE

F

FORMAT

G

graphic characters

q

.SYMBOLSHIFT7.

•,SYMBOLSHIFT~

18,28,46.52,56

19,30,36,37,56

36

59

I

INK
INKEY$
INPUT

K

k channel

L
listings
LLIST
LOAD

LPRINl

M

m channel
MERGE
MOVE

N

n channel

naming blank cartridaes
naming data files
naming programs

q

, shifted X
H,0nN.
Q,onl.

q

,Cl”V.

13, on J.

q .OllC.

q

, shifted T.

q

, SYMBOL SHIFT 6.

26

24,32,33,36,37,56

25,26,31,36,37,56

22,24,39,55

36

37

16.17.18.30.31.33,
37,38,39.46.51,56

22.37

16ff. 55

18.20.31.46.56
39,40,46,57

30ff. 55

19

23, i;

17

0

OPENX

P

P channel
PAPER
parity on/off

POKE

PRINT

Q

q"OteS ("J

60

q

,SYMBOLSHIFT4.

q

, shifted C.

Q,onO.
Q , on P.

22.23.31.37.39.46.57

22.24.39,55
26
35

45

22,25,26.57

25

R

RAMTOP

run, see aoto-run

S

s channel
SAVE

SAVEJC...LlNE...

SCdl?

semicolons (;I
separators
sockets, on the

zx lntehce

station numbers

streams
stop bits,numberput

out by Spectrum

T

t channel

text. see t channel

tokens

El, on s.

Index

46

22,24.39,55

17.30.31.33.37.38.

39.46.57
20
39

22,25

22,25

7

30

Zlff, 26.39.46.48.55

35

36ff. 40.55

36

V
VERIFY

q

, shifted R. 17,31,46,57

61

Sinclair Research Limited
25 Willis Road,

Cambridge CBI 2AQ

England