Programming the BBC Micro

Programming the BBC Micro is a 12-chapter book that begins with a description of the BBC microcomputer, its peripheral, and faults. Subsequent chapters focus on practice in programming, program development, graphics, words, numbers, sound, bits, bytes, and assembly language. The interfacing, file handling, and detailed description of BBC microcomputer are also shown.

1. Introduction

Description of Functions

Programming in Practice

2. Practice in Programming

Solving a Problem Using a Computer

Functions

Subroutines

Procedures

3. Program Development

Program Development and Program Libraries

Error Handling

Input from the Keyboard and 'Gotchas'

Soft Keys

4. Graphics

BBC Graphics

Modes

Drawing Lines

The PLOT Command

Drawing Triangles

Color

VDU Commands

Graphic and Text Windows

5· Words

String Variables

Operations on String Variables

String Function

Print Field Width

Functions that Reference Substrings

6. Numbers

Simple Mathematical Functions

Generating Random Numbers

Trigonometric Functions

Print Formatting

Logical Functions

7. Sound

Sound

Elements of Music

Envelope Control

The Noise Generator

8. Bits and Bytes

Bits and Bytes

Hexadecimal Numbers and Machine Code

Hex/Decimal and Decimal/Hex Conversion

Numbers for Characters—ASCII

Displaying Hidden Messages

Inserting Characters

Examining/Changing Memory Locations

9. Assembly Language

Memories and Bus Systems

The 6502 Microprocessor

Using the Assembler

Comments and Labels

Operating System Subroutines

Two Pass Assembly

Mixing Machine Code and BASIC

Driving Graphics from Machine Code

10. Interfacing—Time and Space

Introduction

The Analogue Interface

The Digital Interface

Timing Events

11. File Handling

Files

Stock Control Systems

Example of Random Processing

12· Hardware

General

Keyboard/Speech-Music Generators

Parallel Printer and User Ports

Display

Analogue to Digital Converter

Serial and Cassette Interface

Disc Drive Controller

Econet Network

1MHz Bus and Tube

Expanding the Model A

Appendices

A. BBC Microcomputer Specification

B. Error Messages and Error Codes

C. ASCII Codes

D. 6502 Instruction Set

Index