BASIC Programming
| Basic Programming | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Warren Robinett[1] |
| Publisher(s) | Atari |
| Designer(s) | Warren Robinett |
| Platform(s) | Atari 2600 |
| Release date(s) | 1979 |
BASIC Programming (Model# CX2620) attempted to teach simple computer programming on the Atari 2600. It was released in 1979, and it was one of only a few non-gaming cartridges ever designed for the 2600. The programming language was superficially similar to dialects of BASIC, but differed in many important aspects. The extremely small RAM size of the Atari 2600, 128 bytes, severely restricted the possibilities of this cartridge for writing programs.
Details
The BASIC Programming display was divided into six regions:
- Program where instructions are written (maximum of nine (or eleven) lines of code).
- Stack shows temporary results of what your program does.
- Variables displays the values of any variables your program is using.
- Output displays any output values your program is creating.
- Status displays the amount of available memory remaining
- Graphics contains two colored squares that can be manipulated by your program.
Input is given through two Atari keypad controllers, which came with special overlays to show how to type the different commands and letters.[2] Programs were restricted to 64 characters in size and 9 lines of code, severely limiting the programs that could be written. Users could disable all windows except Program and keep selecting "New Line" until over nine empty lines had been entered and thus their program could use 11 lines of code using this trick.
See also
- Spectravideo CompuMate Basic Keyboard Enhancer - Atari 2600 cartridge
References
- ↑ Interview:Warren Robinett, By James Hague, Halcyon Days, How long did it take to write?...I had "Adventure" sort of done in the fall of 1978, but I wasn't satisfied. I sort of put it on the shelf for the next six months while I did the "BASIC Programming" cartridge, and finished them both simultaneously, in June 1979.
- ↑ Controllers - Atari Keypad, Atari KeypadSystem: Atari 2600, Model Number: CX50, Sold in pairs, functionally identical to the Kid's Controller and the Video Touch Pad. Included overlays with commands, meant to be used with Basic Programming.
External links
- Basic Programming at AtariAge
- Compumate FAQ:BASIC PROGRAMME EXAMPLES FOR ATARI 2600 (BASIC PROGRAMMING & CompuMate). AUTHOR: Graham.J.Percy, Version 1.0, 25th September, 1998. at the Wayback Machine (archived January 23, 2004)