The number of utility packages appearing for the Dragon emphasise just how much of a programmers' machine it is; all the potential it has to accept new modifications to the original software. I only wonder why Dragon Data did not incorporate many of these ideas into their original BASIC Interpreter.

Masterstroke 2 is a useful addition to any Basic programmer's supply of commands. A number of the rather obvious omissions from the Dragon Interpreter such as a MERGE command to merge BASIC program files; Au lore peat ol keys; Inversion of the screen display (green on black or orange on black are available); and full error messages are included along with a host of other useful commands.

Also made available from BASIC are the Semig rap hies mode described in Keith and Steven Brain's book Advanced Sound and Graphics for the Dragon. In this case they are called by GMODE. A number of special graphics commands are supported GLINE, GDRAW and GSET are rather similar to the ordinary PMODE commands with similar names. It is also possible to have text mixed with the graphics.

Special commands are available for scrolling the screen contents in all four directions. Scrolling can be restricted to a part of the screen as well. In addition, we also have a facility whereby the 10 number keys can be programmed as function keys when used with the right arrow pressed. These keys have already been given default values but it is also possible to redefine any of them for your own particular needs.

Program listing speed can also be changed, which normally needs a POKE to set unless you have Masterstroke installed. Another useful utility is a command to convert a Tandy CoCo Basic program into Dragon Basic. Various other commands give more options on the appearance of the display as well as the ability to strip off all the REMs in a program automatically.

Just in case the advantages of the Semigraphics modes are not apparent to the user, they have supplied a program written to demonstrate this facility in use. This is another version of that old favourite of ancient Apple users, the little Brick Out game, and it serves its purpose well.

All in all we have here a very useful utility package, produced at a very reasonable price of £6.95, with a well-written set of instructions. Once you have mastered the usual Basic fairly well then you could well find this to be a worthwhile purchase. With the facilities it offers at the price it cannot but be very good value.