bitmap-editor/applesoft/spc/spc_ex.md

Use SPC() to print any character !

Introduction

You know how SPC() can be used to PRINT a number of space characters. For example PRINT SPC(10) will print 10 space characters.

Why didn't they allow to print something else than space characters ? It would have been interesting (?) to have the ability to repeat a sequence of any character.

Maybe like PRINT REPT("*",10) would print 10 asterisks.

But Applesoft does not provide such an instruction. So are we doomed to use PRINT "**********"?

Here's a technique that will allow you to repeat any character, even in FLASH and INVERSE without using additional 6502 routines.

Discovery

Let's see something weird ... At the Applesoft prompt, type FLASH. Then PRINT SPC(10). You should now see 10 flashing space characters. Now, press CTRL-BREAK. This exits the "flash" mode (do no type NORMAL !!). Type PRINT SPC(10) again. And ...

WOW ! WHAT IS THAT ??