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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : New version of MMBasic (ver 4.3)
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Geoffg Guru Joined: 06/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 3194 |
A new version of MMBasic (ver 4.3) is available for download from http://geoffg.net/maximite.html#Downloads This is a minor update that fixes a couple of bugs and adds some extra facilities including improved support for sprites. The Change Log and the MMBasic Language Manual (included in the update download) details the changes. These new features have been used by Nickolas Marentes in his game Donut Dilemma for the Colour Maximite which will be released soon on Nick's website (http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nickma/MaximiteProjects). The game is fun and colourful and definitely worth a try. In addition the MMBasic library (http://geoffg.net/maximite.html#Downloads ) has been updated by Hugh Buckle. This is a library of user written programs for the Maximite and a useful resource for both beginners and advanced users. Geoff Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net |
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TinkersALot Regular Member Joined: 20/11/2012 Location: United StatesPosts: 72 |
Thank you, Geoff. |
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Sir_M Newbie Joined: 14/01/2013 Location: SwedenPosts: 15 |
Hi all Tested DuinoMite_MMBasic_V4.3 with CAN and had the same problem as I did with V4.2. See quote from my earlier post. // Jörgen |
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Geoffg Guru Joined: 06/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 3194 |
Sorry, I cannot help you there. You will have to chase up John H or someone more familiar with CAN. Geoff Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net |
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Sir_M Newbie Joined: 14/01/2013 Location: SwedenPosts: 15 |
I dont see that the problems are related to CAN specific, more likely how MM-basic handles variables/memory in the CAN-part. I try to chase John on this one, been a couple of months since he visited this forum. Btw, thanks for keeping MM-basic up to date for us with Duinomites also, great job! // Jörgen |
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boss Senior Member Joined: 19/08/2011 Location: CanadaPosts: 268 |
Thank you very much Geoff, OPTION BREAK is great solution, much better than CtrlC enable/ disable. |
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ratall Newbie Joined: 27/11/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 12 |
Hi Geoff Great work as usual. Just wondering given that line numbers are no longer required and the ever increasing demand on memory with all the new features, do you not think it may be time to remove the embedded renumber command. I'm am sure an external basic ultility will do for the few people who still use line numbers. I do not know how much it will save but I had a quick look at the c code and it does seem quite substantual.(but I am no c or pic expert) Equally having a Full screen embedded editor is nice when debugging ** but is it the best use of memory. I know it is getting away from the original idea of a 1980s style computer but I think its already evolving away from that. Maybe I am alone it these thoughts. It would be interesting, I think to find out what people use and what they will never use. Thanks again Geoff R. ** (I personally write and edit my code for the maximite on an old laptop. and some carefully placed temporary print commands some times combined with few option commands is increasingly all I need for debugging ) |
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CircuitGizmos Guru Joined: 08/09/2011 Location: United StatesPosts: 1425 |
I didn't even use renumber much in the mid 80s. It is useful, but I (personally) wouldn't mourn its loss. Removing the editing ability of the full screen editor would be (in my opinion) a huge loss. With the full screen editor the Maximite is a great stand-alone computer. Micromites and Maximites! - Beginning Maximite |
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jman Guru Joined: 12/06/2011 Location: New ZealandPosts: 711 |
^ | | | What he said I use the editor 99.9% of the time without it I might as well use a basic complier. the editor is one of the many Maximite features that make it GREAT Jman |
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BobD Guru Joined: 07/12/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 935 |
I would be OK with getting rid of the Renumber command. In fact I would be OK with just the ability to only run numbered programs. I would get rid of numbers but I think there are too many programs around with them. Keep the full screen editor although I rarely use it. I do my work on a PC with a programming editor that has syntax colouring. It also highlights your IFs and DO loops. Great for showing if you have an unfinished IF or DO. |
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boss Senior Member Joined: 19/08/2011 Location: CanadaPosts: 268 |
All those features (screen editor, functions, subroutines.....etc) made MM Basic modern programming language and allowed to deploy the structured progamming as well. Please don't give them up for more memory. The latest 32bit chips have up to 256K of RAM and up to 2MB of flash. |
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Nick Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 512 |
Full screen editor getting away from the original 80's style computer??! So what was the Commodore 64's full screen editor all about?? (1983). I think all the Commodore computers right back to the PETS had a full screen editor. Don't get rid of the full screen editor!! The greatest feature of traditional BASIC is the ability to switch from EDIT mode to EXECUTION mode instantly. Fantastic for debugging without the need to constantly slow things down by transferring it back to a real Maximite for testing. I must have used it a million times while writing "Donut Dilemma". And as for best use of memory... "Donut Dilemma" is 844 lines and that's with multi-statement lines and I still have 58% free after program execution. The full screen editor is no impact on memory for the sort of software being developed for the Maximite. Nick |
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Geoffg Guru Joined: 06/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 3194 |
The editor is essential when you are writing prograns that do not use line numbers. But ratall's main point was that the renumber command could go, and I believe that he has a good point. Would anyone mourn its passing? Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net |
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MicroBlocks Guru Joined: 12/05/2012 Location: ThailandPosts: 2209 |
i would not. :) Microblocks. Build with logic. |
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Nick Guru Joined: 09/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 512 |
Only someone using the Maximite to learn/teach "traditional" BASIC with line numbers. It may be usefull for them but otherwise not needed. Nick |
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Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9307 |
I'll chime in with my 2c here, and say that the line numbers can go. When I started programming of any kind whatsoever about 17 years ago, it was on the often-mentioned Atari 800XL. It DID use line numbers - in fact, I think pretty much all "Home computer" units from the day did. I am pretty sure that the Commodore 64 used line numbers, and the ZX81 did also. As a slight digression from the topic when I mentioned the ZX81, did anyone manage to get that thing to do anything useful with it's 1K of RAM? A famous quote from Red Dwarf is when Holly(the ships' computer) says: "I was in love once. A Sinclair ZX81. But no, Holly, they said, she's not for you. She's slow, she's stupid, and she wouldn't load. At least not for me." Back on topic... With pretty much all BASIC-ish programming these days, it is structured loops and labeled routines, so line numbers really arn't needed anymore. While it was a nice thing to have in the original MM, it's probably something that can be dropped now, as NOT using line numbers encourages more standard code development, and teaches those who are learning, about why it is a good idea to do it this way. When I moved to my first embedded controllers(PICAXE), I was unenthusiastic about the lack of line numbers in the writing of code. Now with the benefit of hindsight, I could not do it WITH line numbers now... On the editor, when this was added to the MM firmware, it was a HUGE jump in the flexibility of the MM and ease of writing code - a great feature, and this most definetly needs to remain, as I am sure most here would agree. Back on the Atari, you could LIST the program, then just arrow up and change the coder there and then, then just press RETURN on that line number, and the code was changed in memory - no need to call up an editor of any kind. I'm NOT suggesting it be done that way in MM, this is just how the Atari did it. It is not a hardship to type 'edit' on the MM command line... Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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TassyJim Guru Joined: 07/08/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 6099 |
No need for the RENUMBER command here. If anyone has an old program with numbers, they can always use MM Edit to convert it. Even though I do most of my program development on the PC, I would definitely miss the inbuilt editor and I consider it one of the main advantages of MM Basic and the Maximite. Jim VK7JH MMedit  MMBasic Help |
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MOBI Guru Joined: 02/12/2012 Location: AustraliaPosts: 819 |
You only need to type "edit" once in a power on session and then use the arrow keys (up) to repeat the last command line - even easier. Line numbers can definitely disappear into the mist of time as far as I am concerned. Not that I like the GOTO statement, but GOTO a line number never was terribly informative. I don't remember the ZX81 having much in the way of i/o. The keyboard and the display were multiplexed (PERplexed??), the keys all doubled as basic commands as well - a right nightmare. David M. |
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Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9307 |
The ZX81 did have an expansion port, but weather anyone actually used it for anything escapes me. I also had a 16KB add-on cartridge(about the size of a pack of cards), but the machine would never start-up with it connected. Might have been a crook expansion pack, or a crook ZX81. I could NEVER get any program to save on tape using the acoustic saving method it used. Ahhhhh memories...... Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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djuqa Guru Joined: 23/11/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 447 |
My 11c worth (10c plus 10% GST) I have never used RENUMBER on any of the several dozen BASIC programmed computers I have used over the last 35+ years. Get rid of it. I have never (& not likely too) used anything other than the inbuilt editor facilities of MMBasic to develop software for the Maximite/Duinomite computers. The Full-screen editor should stay. After all, for process control and remote usage the great advantage of the Maximites is having the ability to use a KB/Monitor to tweak and check the onboard CODE/DATA. VK4MU MicroController Units |
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