Extended Basic Module from Texas Instruments
- The Extended Basic module was not included with the console and was semi-expensive originally.
- Extended Basic exists in two distinct versions, Version 100 and Version 110. To determine which you have us this small program:
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- 10 CALL VERSION(A) :: PRINT A
- Only a very small handful of the earlier Vn 100 were sold.
- Principal difference is speed: Version 110 is much faster.
- Version 110 fixes bugs and supports sprites and features on the 4A that were not available on the 99/4
- EXTENDED BASIC is a much larger language than TI Basic.
- The increase in operation speed is not shown by magazine ‘bench tests’ which use very short specific programs. In a typical program you will find the program runs in about 30% less time. Line transfers and screen handling are particularly faster than in TI Basic. This is due to the fact that some of these routines are in assembly language in Extended Basic while TI BASIC is 100% GPL.
- Extended Basic also adds any new commands and functions over TI BASIC enabling better use to be made of limited memory, and also permitting friendlier programs to be written.
- Extended Basic allows for multiple commands per program line using :: as a command delimiter
- Extended Basic supports the 32k memory expansion allowing 24k to be used for program data, the rest of the memory is used for stack.
- Many TI BASIC programs can be loaded in Extended Basic, and will then run faster.
- Exceptions are:
- TI Basic programs over 12k cannot be loaded due to lack of memory. (memory expansion doesn’t help with this due to TI BASIC programs load into VDP ram only)
- Some TI Basic programs will load but cannot RUN due to lack of memory.
- TI Basic has two extra character sets: if these are used, they will produce a BAD VALUE error in Extended Basic. Extended Basic uses the memory saved by dropping these sets (15 and 16) to produce the Sprites
- Extended Basic manual: https://www.digitpress.com/library/manuals/ti994a/ti%20extended%20basic.pdf
- Exceptions are:
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Versions and variations on Extended Basic:
- TI Extended BASIC came in two flavors–Version 100, which was buggy, and Version 110, which corrected most of the problems
- Winfried Winkler’s Extended BASIC III
- adds a whole lot more to the language and fixed a few more problems
- Millers Graphics GK extended basic
- adds great editing commands and keystrokes and many commands
- Richard Gilbertson’s RXB – Rich Extended Basic
- integrated module with editor assembler and extended basic
- adds many commands and features to extended basic
- based originally on GK extended basic
- One of the two versions of Extended Basic that is under current development
- available here at arcadeshopper.com
- integrated module with editor assembler and extended basic
- Tony Knerr’s Extended Basic 2.7 Suite
- adds many commands and features to extended basic
- includes a suite of applications including Editor Assembler, disk managers, diagnostics, terminal software, file transfer tools and more
- available here at arcadeshopper.com
- Harry Wilhelm’s Extended Basic 2.8 GEM
- adds many commands and features to extended basic
- integrates the following programs/packages
- The Missing Link graphics and text add-on
- T40 and T80 40 and 80 column text mode add-ons (80 col requires 80 col device or F18a)
- XB256 add-on
- Disk Manager 1000
- One of the two versions of Extended Basic that is under current development
- available here at arcadeshopper.com
- MicroPal Extended BASIC
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- identical to TI version 110 extended basic
- identical to TI version 110 extended basic
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- Exceltek Extended BASIC*
- identical to TI version 110 extended basic
- Mechatronic Extended BASIC*
- identical to TI version 110 extended basic
- identical to TI version 110 extended basic
- Triton Super Extended BASIC
- identifies itself as Version 120
- generally known as Super Extended Basic
- adds a lot of the GRAM Kracker extensions to TI Extended BASIC.
- J&KH Software’s Super Extended BASIC
- generally known as SXB
- added a lot of routines to TI Extended BASIC using the lower memory space of the 32K card.
- Myarc Extended BASIC II
- came in two revisions for the TI: 2.11 and 2.12.
- The latter was also ported to the Geneve for use while waiting or Myarc Advanced BASIC to be finished (but was seriously buggy on the Geneve).
- requires MYARC or FOUNDATION memory card with the correct DSR rom to operate
- requires a “supercart” with 8k of ram at 6000 memory address to operate (or equivelent, I’ve loaded this with my GramKracker set with write-protect off
- Mechatronic Extended BASIC II Plus
- TI Extended BASIC with the APESoft Expanded Graphics BASIC routines integrated into the cartridge.
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