Previous Next

This is a very comprehensive piece of software comprising a large number of 'utilities' for the Spectrum. The tape provides two copies of the program for both the 16K and the 48K machine. It gave no problem at all in loading my 48K Spectrum.

A 32 page booklet accompanies the tape and sets out very clearly each function or Keyword and its applications often giving a short program as an example. Programs containing Beta BASIC can be saved to tape in the usual way. Before reloading, however, it is necessary to load the Beta Basic itself athough if you do forget, it is possible to "merge" after your own program has been loaded.

In use, the Beta Basic is loaded before starting programming so that the 27 new Keywords and ten new Functions are available.

Amongst the Keywords are the very useful and time-saving AUTO number which provides an automatic line numbering facility with a step to your choice (greater than 10 but not greater than the line number - not really likely to present much of a problem). This works admirably and speeds up the entry of programs enormously unless of course they happen to be one of those irritating ones with odd, untidied line numbers - no excuses for these since there are plenty of renumbering programs available - a very fast one is included in this selection. The RENUM Keyword calls up a routine by which the whole Program, or selected blocks of it, is renumbered with your chosen step. One feature of many of the Keywords available in Beta Basic is that they may be applied string-sliced, i.e. using (TO) to define their block of application, or not, when specific conditions then apply e.g. present line (indicated by the flashing cursor - another feature of this program) and a step of 10.

DELETE is included too to remove unwanted parts of your program and can save annoying 'line No + ENTER' activity.

A frequent comment on Spectrum Basic is that it is limited to IF... THEN statements and does not support DO WHILE or DO UNTIL. These are both provided in the Beta Basic as is also EXIT IF, which provides the ability to leave a program from somewhere in the middle.

An interesting inclusion is the provision of CLOCK, providing a digital clock which will operate with or without a continuous display on the screen. This has also the facility to initiate either an audible alarm or to call up a subroutine or both.

Useful and unusual Keywords are provided to help the graphics designer. PLOT can be used, in the same way as its Spectrum BASIC equipment, but with the ability to position a string anywhere on the screen; ROLL gives a movement of all or part of the screen up, down, left or right with the items moved appearing on the opposite side of the screen, i.e. nothing is destroyed. SCROLL on the other hand moves all or part of the screen in a similar way but that portion of the screen is lost. Both of these are illustrated by two short programs of which the ROLL is quite fascinating! Of the remaining Keywords SORT is a program for arranging strings or numbers in alphabetical or reverse order. This is very fast and can sort 100 ten-letter strings in about 0.2 sec.

If you have problems in debugging a program or deciding how it works then TRACE is yet another useful item included in this set of facilities.

Some ten functions are also available and these and the other Keywords not yet mentioned such as PROC, END PROC, EDIT, LOOP, ON ERROR are all listed alphabetically in the booklet which also includes a list of the eight REPORTS which could occur in addition to those in Spectrum BASIC.

In all, Beta Basic is a very useful compendium of 'utilities' and although at first sight its price of £11 (inc. p&p) seems on the high side, it is very little for each item included. Definitely recommended.