Chipmunk Basic Readme & Quick Reference
** ** Chipmunk Basic README ** ** (version 3.6.6b0, 2012-Apr)
Chipmunk Basic is a old-fashioned interpreter for the BASIC
programming language. This is a beta release of a terminal
command-line utility plus a text window application for Mac
OS X. Note that Chipmunk Basic 3.6.7 for macOS/OSX 10.9.x
and later has been rewritten for Cocoa, and thus is missing
many of the features and special macfunctions in the old
Carbon port.
Features of the Mac OS X Carbon window port include support for
simple graphics with a sprite graphics engine, sound, MacinTalk
speech. It's also AppleScriptable. A te2cbas AppleScript
is included to run programs from the TextEdit application.
A tw2cbas AppleScript is included to run programs from the
TextWrangler application.
Please see basic.man.txt for documentation of the Basic language.
Please see the quick-ref for Mac specific features.
Use the Terminal utility to run the command-line version (The
Terminal utility is in the Mac OS X Applications / Utilities
folder.) The command-line executable named "basic" can go into your
/usr/bin directory ( use: sudo mv -i basic /usr/bin/basic ), or any
other directory in your execution $path. The basic.1 man file goes
into your /usr/share/man/man1/ directory. Then type "man basic"
to see the man file in readable form. Note that from the Terminal
or any unix shell, you can use the command "basic filename.bas"
to run a Basic program, and that externally edited Basic program
do not need to have or use line numbers.
Every personal computer should come with a simple, easy to learn,
programming language. Chipmunk Basic was my contribution for the
very first PowerMacs. Chipmunk Basic only comes with a man page and
a quick reference to the Mac specific functions. The language is
mostly compatible with books on programming in BASIC that were
written between around 1978 and 1990. This version is a both bug
fix and new feature release. It is still free for educational and
non-commercial distribution and use (but only for those who don't
believe that using the BASIC language causes brain damage. :-)
Please send bug reports to
More documentation and possible updates can be found on the
Chipmunk Basic Home Page:
Shortened version history:
Version 1.368.2202
Added native Apple Silicon M1 and macOS 11.x support
Version 3.6.8(b2.01)
Fixed a bug in atan2()
Added the 'sound 48000' command
Added fn mmap(), fn udpsend()
Bug fixes for fn playsound, graphics pen, font textsetup
Version 3.6.8(b1.16)
Added an error for a remark directly following a "then" statement
Version 3.6.8(b1.10)
Fixed GET command to not wait for EOL.
Changed internal string input handling of long strings.
Version 3.6.7(b6.27)
Fixed some UTF8 string quote problems.
Changed the default file directory to users Documents folder.
Version 3.6.7(b6.0) = 1.367.2601:
Fixes for OS X 10.10
Added help window.
Version 1.367.26xx: (2016)
fixes for serial IO, fn midi and utf8 print
added beta support for BLE/Bluetooth LE
Version 1.367.242:
Fixed problems with drag&drop, copy/paste, and field$().
Version 3.6.7(b2):
fixes for Intel 64-bit port
Version 3.6.7(b0):
beta port for Cocoa (OS X 10.7 and later) with threading
removed PPC support
Version 3.6.6(b0): (2012)
fixed a gosub error message
fixed some graphics commands under OS X 10.7
added mat read, fixed mat assign bug
Version 3.6.5(b3): (2011)
fixed mat multiply
fixed bug in format$() with leading zeros
fixed bug in exit while statement
fixed bugs in empty for and empty edit statements
fixed object string bug
Version 3.6.4(b8):
fixed problems with fn plot1, format$, string objects
added command: graphics arc x,y,r,a1,a2
Version 3.6.4(b7):
fixed some mat command syntax omissions
fixed a function subroutine return bug
allow subroutines to return 1d and 2d mat arrays
added beta test object arrays
Version 3.6.4(b6):
added def local
Version 3.6.4(b5):
added a TextWrangler AppleScript utility
allow restore command to use a labeled line
added fn playsound() to play sound files
fixed sound command for some multivoiced tones
fixed graphics pict to work with more image files
added fn eval()
added #ifndef _chipmunkbasic_ to ignore code
fixed documentation on 2 parameter atan()
Version 3.6.4(b1): allow larger bload/bsave file sizes
added det() function to calculate 2d matrix determinants
added fn dot(a,b) to calculate 1d vector dot product
allow mat inv of larger matrices
allow larger bload/bsave file sizes
allow if-then else syntax without a colon :
allow comments at beginning of if-endif statement blocks
improved fn sleep() timing
fixed some bugs in format$() and print using
fixed default save button highlight in Mac Intel build
Version 3.6.3(b1): added fn fft1(), fixed get & randomize/rnd bug
Version 3.6.3(b0): added dbm database command, fixed fn math$() bug,
fixed macfunction "putstr2clip"
Version 3.6.2(b9): fixed del bug, graphics window bug, format$(),
MacOS X Intel port + random file byte order fix, fn version$()
Version 3.6.2(b5): added system$(), fn version$, open pipe for output,
fixed atn() bug, fixed Mac bundle name & icon, savepicture
Version 3.6.1(b3): fixed integer LET command bug
added morse, say, sound & com1: support to command-line basic
documented fseek command
Version 3.6.1: changed exponentiation precedence, default mat origin
added mat print command
Version 3.6.0: added exit status, fn kill(), fn bigendian(),
added Carbon graphics scrn() function.
Included an AppleScript for use with TextEdit
Other additions:
unix socket() and pipe i/o functions
Carbon window: serial port i/o, sound recording,
saved preferences for font, changed path used for "Save As"
Version 3.5.9b4: added two parameter atn()
Version 3.5.9b2: fixed "Save As", intl. string compares
Version 3.5.8b4: fixed inkey$. changed int() to round to -infinity.
* Chipmunk Basic is Copyright 1994-2021 by Ronald H. Nicholson, Jr.
* ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
*
* Permission to use, copy and distribute this software without fee
* for non-commercial or educational purposes is hereby granted,
* provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies,
* and that both the copyright notice and this permission notice with
* the following disclaimer appear in the supporting documentation.
*
* This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
* WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND; not even the implied warranty of
* MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
* Portions of this version of Chipmunk Basic might be
* Copyright (c) 1983 Regents of the University of California.
* Portions of Chipmunk Basic might be Copyright (C) 1989 Dave Gillespie.
-- cut here --
/*
* Quick Reference and FAQ for Chipmunk Basic
* version 3.6.8 for MacOS X
*
* Chipmunk Basic is (c) Copyright 1994-2021 Ronald H. Nicholson, Jr.
* ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
*
* This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
* WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND; not even the implied warranty of
* MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
*/
Updates to this document may be found on the web at:
http://www.nicholson.com/rhn/basic
---
Quick Reference for Chipmunk Basic
ported to the MacOS by Ronald H. Nicholson, Jr. rhn AT nicholson.com
Chipmunk Basic is a freeware old-fashioned Basic Interpreter, accelerated
for the PowerMac, yet still compatible with older 68k Macs running OS 9.
Features include support for a simple sprite graphics engine, sound,
MacinTalk speech, MacTCP, AppleScript, Drag&Drop and OOP programming.
Supported operators, functions and statements (reserved words):
+ - * / ^ mod and or xor not > < >= <= <> =
sqr() log() exp() sin() cos() tan() atn() pi
abs() sgn() int() rnd() peek() val() asc() len()
mid$() right$() left$() str$() chr$() lcase$() ucase$()
goto if then else endif gosub return
for to step next while wend select case
rem let dim erase data read restore field$()
input print open for output append as close# load save
random lof loc get put
inkey$ input$ eof() files fgetbyte# fseek# fputbyte
run stop end exit quit cont renum new clear
date$ time$ timer sound morse say doevents inputbox
home cls gotoxy htab vtab pos() menu
graphics sprite pset moveto lineto window scrn mouse()
varptr peek() poke fre push() pop isarray mat
sub call usr bload bsave def fn local exec
type class extends string integer single double longint
asin acos sinh cosh tanh log10 floor true false ubound
- The "basic.man" file is included with the distribution. It
describes the above functions and statements in more detail.
- Line numbers are required for console input.
- Line numbers are NOT required when using BBEdit with BBEdit Extensions
or other external editor (TextEdit, vi). An applescript named "te2cbas"
is included which will run a Basic program contained in the topmost
Mac OS X TextEdit text editor window.
- The interpreter includes an dumb old fashioned line number based
editor. (Enter a line; delete a line; edit one line at a time).
- The variable types are float doubles and strings with a maximum
length of 254 characters. Variable names can be up to 31 characters
in length and are case insensitive.
- Math is done using the built-in double precision IEEE math.
All trigonometric functions express angles in radians.
---
Some Simple Examples:
for i=1 to 10 : print i : next i
c$ = a$ + b$ : rem string concatenation
a$ = inkey$ : rem inkey$ is non-blocking
load "sieve.bas" : rem load TEXT file as a Basic program
: rem file names should have .bas extension
open "filename" for output as #1 : print #1, "hello world" : close #1
graphics 0 : moveto 10,10 : lineto 110,80 : rem draw a line
---
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Where is there more documentation on learning how to program in the
BASIC language?
A: The language is mostly compatible with books on programming in the
BASIC language that were published between 1978 and 1988. Since these
are mostly out of print, your best bet is to try your local public
library.
Also, there is a short tutorial on the Chipmunk Basic web page:
http://www.nicholson.com/rhn/basic/
Q: Why won't this Mumblesoft QuickBasic program run? ...
A: Chipmunk Basic was never intended to be exactly compatible with any
other commercial BASIC language product. It does include most of the
features of ANSI minimal BASIC language definition. Many BASIC
programs that are saved as ASCII text files, and that don't use any
special features of a particular computer OS, can be easily ported
to Chipmunk Basic.
Q: Is there any way to redirect print statements to a line printer?
A: No, there is no way to make this work with current MacOS printer
drivers. I recommend printing to a file, and then using SimpleText
to print the file.
Q: Why can't I load a text file using the "Open" menu?
A: Chipmunk Basic requires that Basic program file names end with a
".bas" suffix.
Q: How do I use BBEdit (so that I don't need to use line-numbers).
A: Install BBedit Lite (or BBEdit) on your system with Chipmunk Basic.
A folder named "BBEdit Lite Support" should appear with BBEdit.
Copy the bbxt named "bb2cbas" from the "bbedit2cbas.hqx" archive
into the "BBEdit Extensions" folder. Start BBEdit; and enter a
program using BBEdit; then use the "Run Chipmunk Basic" item in
the BBEdit Tools menu to send your program text to the Chipmunk
Basic interpreter. BBEdit Lite is available on Info-Mac and many
other software archives and at the Bare Bones Software(tm) web
site:
Q: How do I use sprites?
A: Sprite are little icons that can be moved around in the graphics
window. You can use up to 63 sprites, numbered from 1 to 63 Sprites
will appear in front of any graphics or picts in the graphics window.
The sprites are in layers; sprite 1 will pass in front of sprite 2
when they overlap, etc.
You specify what you want a particular sprite to look like by using
a resource ID. For instance a sprite with a resource id of 28 looks
like the Chipmunk icon, with a resource id of 130 looks like a ball.
A sprite with with a rsrc id of 0 is invisible.
You can also specify the filename of a .jpg or .gif file to use
for the sprite image.
You may place sprites at an x,y coordinate. Or you may move them
around and leave a trail behind them to draw things. Sprite movement
commands include { up, down, left, right, forward, turn, turnleft,
turnright, turnto, penup and pendown }. To get rid of a sprite,
simply move them offscreen (e.g. { x,y } = { -1,-1} ).
Q: How do I make my own sprites?
A: You can now use gif and jpeg image files as sprites.
Q: Why can't I read the character chr$(13) from a file?
A: The Mac standard c library translates CR characters (0x0D) into LF
characters (0x0A) when reading or writing text files. Open a binary
file for "data input" or "data output" to turn off this translation.
Q: Can you send me a list of different peeks and pokes?
A: Peeks and pokes don't have much use on current Mac Systems. If you
want to live dangerously, you might want to get a copy of SysEqu.h or
LoMem.h from an old C or 68K assembly language programming package;
but don't expect anything you do to be compatible with the latest
MacOS System software.
Q: Is there a compiler for Chipmunk Basic?
A: No, however there are several commercial Basic compilers on the market
(Staz FutureBasic, True Basic, VIP Basic, Oracle Power Objects ...)
and rumors of major new support for the BASIC language on the Mac
coming next year (1997 maybe ?, Kenobi ??, Denali ??? ... ).
Q: Why isn't this cool command that I found documented.
A: Any undocumented command is fair game to change in the next version.
Use at your own risk: Hey, even some of the documented commands change!
Q: (not really a question) The documentation s*cks... uh, stinks.
A: I'm crazy enough to have found that tinkering with and enhancing
Chipmunk Basic has been enjoyable use of some spare time. If you
are enlightened enough to enjoy writing quality documentation, please
feel free to contribute your efforts.
Q: What is the history of Chipmunk Basic?
A: In March 1990, p2c, a pascal to c translator, was posted to the usenet
newsgroup "comp.source.misc" by David Gillespie. One of the test
input files was "basic.p". I used the output c file to learn about
language interpreters; and then ported the resulting Basic interpreter
to a Mac 512KE and then to a PowerMac 7100. Chipmunk Basic for
the PowerMac was posted to Info-Mac on March 15th, 1994, the day
after the first PowerMacintosh was available for sale to the public.
---
Additional Chipmunk Basic Macintosh specific commands and functions:
Note that Chipmunk Basic 3.6.7 for macOS/OSX 10.9.x and later
has been rewritten for Cocoa, and thus is missing many of the
features, and all of the special macfunctions for the old
Carbon window port of Chipmunk Basic 3.6.6 mentioned below.
- Mac Graphics
GRAPHICS 0 :' show graphics window
graphics -1 :' hide graphics window
graphics WINDOW x, y, width, height :' graphics window setup
:' (x,y) location, width and height
graphics WINDOW width, height :' adjust the size
graphics MOVETO x,y :' Move pen To x,y
graphics LINETO x,y :' draw Line To x,y
graphics moveto 10,20 : graphics lineto 30,50 :' example
:' that draws a line from (10,20) to (30,50)
graphics CIRCLE x :' circle of diameter x
:' previous MOVETO x,y s ets center location
graphics OVAL x,y :' oval x wide by y high
graphics RECT x1,y1, x2,y2 :' FrameRect
graphics FILLRECT x1,y1, x2,y2,pat# :' PaintRect
graphics FILLRECT x1,y1, x2,y2,-1 :' EraseRect
graphics OVAL x1,y1, x2,y2 :' FrameOval
graphics FILLOVAL x1,y1, x2,y2,pat# :' PaintOval
graphics PENSETUP xsize, ysize [, mode, pat# ] :' modes 8-15
:' modes - 8 patCopy, 9 patOr, 10 patXor, 11 patBic
:' pat# - 1 is black, 4 is 50% dots, 12 is bricks, etc.
graphics COLOR r,g,b :' red green blue 0-100%
graphics COLOR 100,0,0 :' changes new color to red
graphics COLOR 0,0,0 :' use default black
graphics pset x,y :' plot 1 point at x,y
graphics TRIANGLE x1,y1,x2,y2,x3,y3 {,r,g,b} :' draw triangle
graphics PICT x,y, n :' draw 'pict' resource# n
graphics PICT x,y, pictfilename$ :' draw .pict file
graphics DRAWTEXT a$ :' DrawText
:' use MOVETO x,y to position text lower left corner
graphics TEXTSETUP f, s, m :' set up text font, size, mode
graphics TEXTSETUP -1,-1 :' set up bold font
graphics TEXTSETUP -1,-2 :' set up italic font
graphics TEXTSETUP -1,0 :' restore normal font
graphics (-38) :' return graphics window max width
graphics (-39) :' return graphics window max height
graphics (-34) :' return graphics window pixel depth
fn scrn(x, y, 0) :' return graphics pixel value at x,y
fn scrn(x, y, 1) :' return red component
fn scrn(x, y, 2) :' return green component
fn scrn(x, y, 3) :' return blue component
:' may need to wait at least 1/4th of a second
:' for the scrn function to return any recently drawn pixels
:' the graphics 0 command may hasten the display update
SPRITE n x, y, id :' sprite n @ x,y using ICN# id
:' n from 1 to 63, 1 frontmost
:' ICN# 128 - 141 included with app
:' cicn requires ICN# with same id.
sprite n UP x :' sprite #n move up x pixels
sprite n DOWN x :' also returns new sprite y coord
sprite n LEFT x :' move LEFT (not turn as in Logo!)
sprite n RIGHT x
sprite n TURN d :' turn counter-clockwise d degrees
sprite n TURNRIGHT d :' turn clockwise d degrees
sprite n TURNLEFT d
sprite n TURNTO d :' turn to d degrees from x axis
sprite n FORWARD x :' move forward x pixels
sprite n PENUP
sprite n PENDOWN
sprite n COLLISION :' returns 1st sprite# in contact
sprite id on x,y :' paste a fixed sprite image @(x,y)
graphics WINDOW -1,-1, x,y, 2 :' scroll graphics background
' Too small a "Preferred Size" (as set from Finder Get Info window)
' may limit the maximum graphics window size.
' Under Mac OS X, execute these commands, then exit and restart to
' try and increase maximum graphics window size.
fn saveaspng(fname$, x,y, w,h)
:' saves pixels to a PNG file
:' preceed with graphics 0 + wait 1 second
:' with white as transparancy
fn saveaspng(fname$, x,y, w,h, 32896)
:' with 50% grey as transparancy
graphics PICT x,y, filename$
:' draws graphics from image file at (x,y)
graphics 0 :' refresh graphics window now
:' for control of graphics animation update rate
- Mac Sound commands
morse "CQ DE N6YWU",16,40,13,700 :' play morse code
:' MORSE string, dot_wpm, volume, letter_wpm, freq
say "hello world" :' *requires* the Speech Manager
say "faster", 196, 44, 1 :' string, rate, pitch, voice#
say :' reads the last 12 lines of the console window
sound 440, 0.5, 30 :' freq, secs_duration, vol(0-100)
sound 0, 8192 :' play snd resource #8192
sound n,freq(0),dur,vol(0) :' play n tones from arrays freq & vol
:' 1 < n < 9 => up to 8 multivoice tones (chords)
' Quicktime MIDI sound
sound -2, midi_voice, midi_key, velocity, secs_dur [,channel]
:' play note using Quicktime MIDI synthesizer
:' midi_voice = 1 -> piano
:' midi_key = 60 -> middle C
:' midi_velocity = 100 -> loud
:' simultaneous channels 1 to 4 supported
:' default channel is 1
sound -3, midi_voice, midi_key, velocity, secs_dur [,channel]
:' wait for previous note to finish then play
sound -4, midi_voice, midi_key, velocity, secs_dur
:' play on any free channel without waiting
fn playsound( fname$, n )
:' play up to n seconds from sound file fname$
' sampled sound support
sound -1, a(0), n :' play n samples from array a()
:' at sample rate 11025
sound -1, a%(0), n, 44100, 16 :' play sampled sound
:' 16 bit quality at 44100 sample rate
fn record(a(0),n)
fn record(a%(0),n)
:' records n samples of sound into a() or a%()
:' 16-bit quality at a sample rate of 11025
fn record(a%(0),n, 44100)
:' record 16-bit mono at a sample rate of 44100
- Mac User interface functions and commands
cls : rem clears console & graphics windows
gotoxy 5,10 : print "here" : rem move text cursor (0,0 origin)
x = pos(0) : rem text cursor horizontal location
y = pos(-1) : rem vertical text cursor location
a$ = inputbox("prompt", "title", "default", 0)
:' gets string input using default dialog
a$ = inputbox("prompt", "title", "default", id)
:' if id > 1024 this will use a custom DLOG #id
:' with item 1 = OK, item 2 = cancel
:' prompt replaces 1st static text item
:' default replaces 1st edit text item
mouse(0) ' returns 1 if the mouse button is down
mouse(1) ' x coordinate in current window
mouse(2) ' y coordinate in current window
mouse(3) ' last x click location (set to -1 after read)
mouse(4) ' last y click location (set to -1 after read)
:' mouse() must follow a graphics command
:' to get a location in the graphics window.
graphics BUTTON title$, x,y, w,h, key_code
:' draw a standard button at (x,y) size (w,h)
:' will input chr$(key_code) when pressed
graphics BUTTON title$, x,y, w,h, e$
:' button will exec(e$) when pressed
graphics BUTTON "",-1 :' remove all buttons & sliders
menu 4, title$, itemlist$, eventlist$ :' setup menu
menu 4, "myMenu", "item1;item2", "foo1();foo2()" :' example
:' sets up the 4th menu (only 4th menu is implemented.)
:' calls your subroutines foo1() & foo2() on menu select.
:' subroutines must be previously defined.
:' see Apple documentation for menu options
menu 4, "" :' removes your menu
fn doevents() :' poll for button and menu events
- Additional Mac specific functions and commands:
open "SFGetFile" for input as #2 :' dialog prompt for filename
open "SFPutFile" for output as #5 :' uses dialog box for name
open f$ for data input as #4 :' data file, no CR-LF translation
open f$ for data input :' use file for snd & pict, etc. resources
a$ = field$("aa bb cc", 2, " ") :' returns "bb", (awk fields)
a$ = field$(a$, n, chr$(9)) :' return nth item in TSV line a$
fn sleep(t) :' sleep for n seconds
fre :' returns available heap memory.
:' If this gets much below 32K, one should increase the
:' Preferred size using Finder Get Info & restart Basic.
- AppleScript scripting. Try this script from a script editor:
tell application "chipmunk-basic" to DoScript "eval ( 5 * 7 )"
tell application "chipmunk-basic" to DoScript "eval date$"
:' eval will return a string result to the script editor.
tell application "chipmunk-basic" to DoScript "print 22 * 7"
tell application "chipmunk-basic" to DoScript "say 'hello'"
:' Tells Chipmunk Basic to executes a statement.
tell application "chipmunk-basic" to DoScript ("runStatus")
:' returns whether a Basic program is running
- ICN#, cicn, PICT & BCMD resources may be stored the resource fork of
any file, not just the "mumble.bas" program file. Use:
open "foo.rsrc" for data input : rem with no "as" token,
:' this makes the file "foo.rsrc" the current resource file
- A few experimental commands which may only work in OS X 10.2 or above :
open "COM1:/dev/cu.modem:1200,N,8,1" for output as #1
open "COM1:/dev/cu.modem:1200,N,8,1" for input as #2
:' opens serial port with given unix path and baud rate
fn serialpath(n)
:' returns the path string for the n-th serial port
:' starting with 1 (usually the internal modem)
:' example:
100 rem serial i/o example
120 sp1$ = fn serialpath(1) : print sp1$
130 if sp1$ = "" then stop
140 sp2$ = fn serialpath(2) : print sp2$
160 config$ = "COM1:" + sp1$ + ":9600,N,8,1"
180 print config$ : print
200 open config$ for input as #2
220 open config$ for output as #1
240 k = 0
260 while k <> 3 : rem control-C to exit
280 a$ = input$(1,2)
320 print a$;
340 k$ = inkey$ : k = asc(k$)
360 if (k > 3) then fputbyte k,#1
380 wend
420 close #2 : close #1
440 print : print "done"
460 end
:' Note that Chipmunk Basic unix pipes and sockets also work
:' under OS X . See the man page for details.
open "socket:www.yahoo.com",80 for input as #1
open "socket:www.yahoo.com",80 for output as #2
:' open tcp/ip socket to a web server
sys(command$) :' execute unix terminal command
:' no stdout/output provisioned
system$(command$) :' execute unix terminal command
:' returns 1st line of standard output
dir
:' displays files in current working directory
- A few experimental Database commands (beta test) :
dim mydb$ as dbm$(myfname$)
:' creates an sdbm hash database named by myfname$
:' using string variable name mydb$ to access
mydb$(key$) = val :' stores key,value pair in db
close mydb$ :' to close database
- A few other experimental commands & functions (beta test) :
fn version$() :' returns version & graphics capability
graphics edit a$, x,y, w,h, id
:' creates edit text field in the graphics window
:' location x,y size w,h
:' id must be in the range of 1 thru 4
:' a$ must be a string variable
graphics edit a$, 0,0, 0,0, id
:' returns content of field #id into a$
fn midiinput(n) :' was macfunction( "midiInput", n )
:' n = 0 for time (returns 0 if no new note available)
:' n = 2 for channel of last note
:' n = 3 for note of last note
:' n = 4 for velocity of last note
fn midi(2) :' init a midi data output channel
fn midi(3, note, velocity)
:' send midi noteon/off
:' set velocity to 0 for noteoff
fn fft1( 1, x(0), y(0), n )
:' fft arrays x,y (real & imaginary vectors, length n)
:' n must be a power of 2, array sizes must be >= n
fn fft1(-1, x(0), y(0), n )
:' inverse fft
fn plot1( 0, f$, x$, y$, x0, x1, n)
:' draw autoscaled xy plot
fn plot1( 0, "sin(x)", "x", "y", 0, 7, 200 )
:' plot 200 points from 0 to 7 of sin(x)
fn plot1( 1, f$, x$, y$, x0, x1, n)
:' plot using scaling & grid of previous plot
fn plot1( 4, f$, a$, r$, a0, a1, n)
:' autoscaling polar plot
fn plot2( 0, n, x(0), y(0) )
:' parametric plot of n points from arrays x & y
x = 0.5
x2 = fn solve1("2*x=cos(x)", "x")
:' attempts to solve for variable "x"
:' start by assigning a decent guess to variable
:' repeat function call for convergence if necessary
:' may work for very "well behaved" functions only!
fn math$("add$", n$, m$)
:' 250 digit precision math on number strings
:' commands: "add$" "sub$" "mul$" "div$"
fn math$("powm", a$, e$, m$)
:' commands: "powm" for raise-to-exponent-modulo
bsave "filename", ptr, len :' binary memory save
i = bload("filename", ptr, len) :' binary file load to mem
:' use with varptr() to get memory addresses
fn kill( filename$ ) :' deletes the named file
:' returns 0 on success
sprite 0, id, gif_filename$, x,y, 129
:' draw gif/jpeg file as a sprite at (x,y)
- A few experimental Core Bluetooth (BLE) functions :
(beta test, added to versions 3.6.7b6 and later)
fn btle.init()
:' initializes Bluetooth LE/4.0 access
:' starts a BLE scan
:' returns 0 if the scan has started
fn btle.list()
:' presents a list of discovered BLE peripherals
fn btle.selected()
:' returns the UUID string for the selected device
fn btle.info(n,1)
:' returns the UUID of the nth listed device
fn btle.info(n,2)
:' returns the name of the nth listed device
fn btle.rssi(n)
:' returns the RSSI of the nth listed device
fn btle.connect(1,uuid$)
:' connects to a BLE device
fn btle.busy()
:' waiting on a connection, notification or read
fn btle.connect(1,uuid$,service$,chctrstc$)
:' connects and requests a notification
fn btle.request(1,service$,chctrstc$)
:' read request for a BLE characteristic
fn btle.response$(1,a%(0))
:' the read data (if any yet) as a string
:' set to "" after the first read
fn btle.responsedata(1,1,a%(0))
:' the byte count of the read data (if any yet)
:' the bytes are return in integer array
:' with 2 bytes per array element
:' set to 0 after the first read
fn btle.write(1,service$,chctrstc$,data$)
:' request a write to a BLE characteristic
fn btle(9)
:' disconnects from BLE device
Warning. Use at your own risk.
Alpha and experimental commands may go away in future releases.
---
Other notes or Bugs:
- Programs without line numbers can be loaded from a file; however
sequential line numbers will be added. The target of a GOTO can
be a label followed by a colon. e.g.
foo: print x : x=x-1 : if x>0 then goto foo:
- Try the applescript "te2bas" for use with Mac OS X TextEdit. It
should run the Basic program in the frontmost TextEdit window.
- To save to file without line numbers, try:
save filename$, "NLN" : rem - Don't use "goto ".
- Other reserved words (don't use these!) :
msgbox do loop until break function
method private public dialog memstat()
draw play min max filename$
each redim resume static option degrees radians
eqv imp key is each set width swap
- For the old high precedence NOT operator, enter: #cbas#non_ansi_not
- For the old high precedence unary minus, enter: #cbas#non_ansi_neg
- All input works like the LINE INPUT statement of other Basic versions.
- Line numbers above 999999999 will not list.
- Transparent buttons do not work.
---
Important Chipmunk Basic Language changes:
3.6.4: allow if-then else syntax without a colon :
allow comments at beginning of if-endif statement blocks
3.6.1: lowered unary negation operator precedence to below
exponentiation to match ANSI/ISO standard. (-x^a)
changed default matrix origin to 1 (used by mat commands).
3.4.7: lowered NOT operator precedence to match ANSI standard.
ON-GOTO no longer checks bounds.
3.3.7: type & class vars now require "dim ... as new ..." syntax.
Recent Bug fixes and changes:
Version 1.367.26xx: (2016)
fixes for serial IO, fn midi and utf8 print
added beta support for BLE/Bluetooth LE
Version 3.6.7(b2):
fixes for Intel 64-bit port
Version 3.6.7(b0):
beta port for Cocoa (OS X 10.7 and later) with threading
removed PPC support
Version 3.6.6(b0): (2012)
fixed a gosub error message
changed document file type to .bas 'text'
fixed graphic pict command
fixed bugs in several mat commands
Version 3.6.5(b0):
fixed bugs in exit while, empty edit and for statements
cleaned up buttons on graphics cls
Version 3.6.4(b8):
fixed problems with fn plot1, format$, string objects
added command: graphics arc x,y,r,a1,a2
Version 3.6.4(b7):
fixed some mat command syntax omissions
fixed a function subroutine return bug
allow subroutines to return 1d and 2d mat arrays
added beta test object arrays
Version 3.6.4(b6):
added def local to name local sub variables
3.6.4(b5):
allow restore command to use a labeled line
added fn playsound() to play sound files
fixed sound command for some multivoiced tones
fixed graphics pict to work with more image files
added fn eval()
added #ifndef _chipmunkbasic_ to ignore code
fixed documentation on 2 parameter atan()
3.6.4(b1): allow larger bload/bsave file sizes
added det() function to calculate 2d matrix determinants
added fn dot(a,b) to calculate 1d vector dot product
allow mat inv of larger matrices
allow larger bload/bsave file sizes
fixed some bugs in format$() and print using
fixed default save button highlight in Mac Intel build
3.6.3(b7): fixed socket read eof, object print
3.6.3(b0): added dbm$ database commands
fixed fn math$(), midi sound, macfunction "putstr2clip"
3.6.2(b5): added fn system$(), version$, open pipe for output,
fixed atn() bug, fixed Mac bundle name & icon
3.6.1b3: fixed LET command for integer% variables
documented fseek # command
3.6.0b1: fixed serial port i/o problems, max graphics size problem,
added external bundle support, added 44100 record option
3.5.9b6: added graphics scrn to return pixel color
3.5.9b5: fixed SFGetFile file path, line edit, def fn array params
added te2cbas applescript
3.5.9b3: fixed long if, instr(), mid$(), val("..") bugs
added fn math$(), fn plot1(), fn solve1()
3.5.9b2: OS X Carbon port, changed file paths, fixed SaveAs
fixed fn record & sound playback
fixed serial port access, sys(), sockets, pipes
3.5.9b0: fixed format$() bug and International string compares
3.5.8b4: fixed inkey$, changed int() to round towards -infinity
Older bug fixes and changes:
3.3.5: fixed integer rounding
3.3.7: fixed assignment to variable "this" in object methods fixed
3.4.0: fixed default voice in say, input eof bug, pref file bug
3.4.2: fixed hex$() of negative numbers
3.4.5: fixed moveto & button clear
3.4.7: fixed fixed nesting of if-then-else
3.4.8: fixed nesting of select-case
3.5.1: fixed some print using bugs, increased input line to 254 chars.
3.5.2: added backup on save, fixed 68K stdio EOLN.
3.5.3: fixed SFPutFile filename return, added for/next integer index's
3.5.4: fixed while/wend exit bug, fixed ubound/isarray docs,
3.5.5: fixed OTLib link bug
3.5.7: fixed integer array access bug
3.5.8: fixed format$()
Please send bug reports to rhn AT nicholson DOT com
---
Thanks to:
- Dave Gillespie for writing the original Pascal version of this Basic;
- Dave Betz for ideas from the original XLisp 1.6 Mac console;
- many folks from Apple DTS, Metrowerks, the c.s.m.p newsgroup, etc.;
- Thomas Ferrell for contributing a tutorial for the web page;
- & the many people who who have sent me polite detailed bug reports.
- Mark Henderson & Paul Rouse forthe public domain fgmp bignum package.
* Portions of this release of Chipmunk Basic are
* Copyright (c) 1983 Regents of the University of California.
* Copyright (c) 1993 Regents of the University of California.
* Copyright (c) 2000, 2005 Apple Computer, Inc.
* Portions of Chipmunk Basic are Copyright (C) 1989 Dave Gillespie.
---
A sample program:
--- cut here ---
1 rem "sieve.bas" , a prime number sieve benchmark
2 t = timer
3 dim f(8194)
4 for i = 0 to 8191 : f(i) = 1 : next i
5 s = 8191
6 for i = 0 to s
7 if f(i) = 0 then goto 11
8 p = i+i+3
9 for k = i+p to s step p : f(k) = 0 : next k
10 c = c+1
11 next i
12 print c;" primes found in ";
13 t = timer-t
14 print t;" seconds"
15 end
--- cut here ---
*/