| Developer(s) | Mike Leaman |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 1984 |
| Stable release | YSMegaBasicV4.0
/ 1985 |
| Operating system | ZX Spectrum |
| Type | BASIC programming language interpreter |
| License | Proprietary |
YS MegaBasic is a BASIC programming language interpreter for the 1982 Sinclair Research ZX Spectrum microcomputer, written by Mike Leaman.[1][2] The interpreter was available by mail-order from Your Spectrum magazine, hence the name "YS MegaBasic".
When loaded it left the user 22K of usable memory. YS MegaBasic allowed keywords to be spelled out letter-for-letter, which was quicker if the user had fitted a full-size full-travel keyboard to their machine, a very popular modification for serious users. This also removed the necessity for memorising the sometimes arcane key combinations necessary to enter less-commonly-used Sinclair BASIC keywords. It also featured three different font sizes, user definable keys, copy-and-paste, a Sinclair QL-like windowing system, sprites and sound effects.[1]
New commands added by YS MegaBasic:[1]
| AUTO | Causes the computer to automatically produce line numbers |
| BACKUP | Copies tape files |
| CHANGE | Manipulates the attributes file |
| CLW | Clears the current window on-screen |
| CURRENT | Changes the window used for screen output |
| DELETE | Erases a block of program lines |
| DOWN | Prints a string down the screen |
| EDIT | Displays a program line for editing |
| EXAMINE | Displays headers of tape files |
| FADE | Produces special effects on-screen |
| FONT | Selects the character set used for printing |
| FX | Handles miscellaneous functions |
| INVERT | Changes INK to PAPER and vice versa |
| KEY | Creates user-defined keys |
| MODE | Changes the current character size |
| MON | Jumps to front panel |
| PAN | Scrolls a window to the left or right, pixel by pixel |
| PLAY | Produces complex sound effects |
| RESTART | Equivalent to ON ERROR GO TO |
| SPEED | Used in conjunction with TRON to reduce the speed of program execution |
| SWAP | Swaps one attribute for another |
| TROFF | Turns 'trace' mechanism off |
| TRON | Turns 'trace' mechanism on |
| VDU | Equivalent to PRINT CHR$ |
| WINDOW | Defines the size and location of the current window on-screen |