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BBC BASIC (Amstrad Computer User) | BBC BASIC (Popular Computing Weekly) |
Home base Although this is not a cheap program and will probably be beyond the scope of most individuals, BBC Basic could be a vitally important release for Amstrad and should not be ignored. Anyone who has had much to do with computers in education will know that two micros dominate. Research Machines'RML range and Acorn's BBC. Of the second division of school micros by far the most active interest is now focusing on the Amstrad. There are some very good reasons for this. The 6128. for example, costs under half the price of an equivalent BBC setup, so that schools, and parents, can often afford one per child. You also get the benefit of CP/M capable of running mainstay business programs such as Newword, experience of which may be invaluable when job hunting. Finally, there are some very sophisticated Amstrad network systems starting to appear. Amongst the problems Amstrad faces in penetrating this market is the resistance of the education deépartments and teachers that have already invested so much in the BBC. Despite the structured elements such as Procedures, BBC Basic is one of the most obscure and unreadable versions of the language. Even so, many education programs now exist that use the Basic and teachers are reluctant to abandon them. The Z80 CP/M BBC Basic is not new, and has been around on machines such as the Einstein for some time. What is more worthy of note is that the Amstrad CPC is so similar to the BBC in terms of screen modes, sound chip, etc, that a staggeringly complete implementation has been managed. Conversions of programs should in many cases be almost effortless. There isn't an enormous amount of memory left after loading, but most schools have the old BBC B which has hardly any either. The program can be bought now. but lacks the Plot command, a full version of Envelope, mode 7 teletext and Adval. Work is still going on to implement these commands and improve the error trapping, but upgrades will be sent to all registered users. Adval can only be added as and when someone releases an analogue to digital converter for the Amstrad. The built-in assembler has been implemented, but adjustments will obviously have to be made. A version is being produced for the PCW 8256, but will obviously lack sound and many graphic options. PopularComputingWeekly860213 |
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