At 14:10 23-1-98 +0100, Randy Simons wrote:
>CALL not allowed? Why? It's a part of MSX-BASIC in some cases! As long as it
>doesn't require extra soft- or hardware...
I agree that CALL should be allowed. For example, you need "CALL MUSIC" if
you want to use MSX-MUSIC which is part of 2+ and turbo R standard. Or if
you want to use the memory disk, you need "CALL MEMINI".
Note that it's not possible to use CALL to access BIOS routines, "CALL
&H41" produces "Syntax error".
CALL can be used to get around the "no ML" rule, if you're allowed to use
OUT. But I think it's impossible anyway to describe all ways of cheating to
get into ML, you can better make "no ML" the rule and give a few examples
of things that are not allowed.
>>2) Basic accelerator:
>> - not allowed if they don't come with the standard you are using (msx
>>1/2/2+ or tr)
>
>What do you mean? XBASIC or KUN-BASIC was never part of any standard, AFAIK.
KUN BASIC was included in some 2+ machines, but not in all types. I do
think that all turbo R machines have KUN BASIC.
>Tape? How many ppl out there are willing to copy a file to TAPE and actually
>use it? As I said before: it's best when the program runs from both tape and
>disk.
I agree. Do you expect me to download a file, make a utility to convert it
to WAV format, play it on my PC sound card, record that sound and insert it
into my MSX data recorder?
>> - MSX 2 64Kb ram - 128Kb Vram - one 720 disk - 3.57Mhz Z80A - DOS 1
Not all MSX2 have 128K VRAM. But I think 128K VRAM is way too usefull to
restrict ourselves to just 64K.
Also not all MSX2 have 720K drives (or even drives at all), but most have
been upgraded by now.
>> - MSX 2+ (need specification)
Same as MSX2, but with V9958 VDP + BASIC commands and MSX-MUSIC + BASIC
commands.
>TurboR: same as MSX2+ but with: 256kB RAM, R800-mode, DOS2, FM-PAC(!).
>Perhaps for speeds sake DRAM mode allowed?
I think switching processor mode from BASIC is impossible. Or am I unaware
of turbo R's capabilities?
Anyway, turbo R boots in R800 DRAM mode by default, unless a DOS1 formatted
disk is inserted or '1' key is pressed while booting.
>One last thing: what about a multi-platform demo? E.g. when it detects the
>machine is MSX-2+ compatible it uses screen 12, screen 8 otherwise, on what
>machine do we gonna judge this?
I think you can best judge this as two different programs, one in the MSX2
category and one in the 2+ category. Although it sounds a bit odd, but it's
the only fair way.
>Do what you want, as long as it is just plain
>basic that's written in your manual..
The manual of my GT is in Japanese ;)
Bye,
Maarten
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