jsbasic/README.md

jsbasic - Applesoft BASIC in JavaScript

This is hosted for playing with at https://inexorabletash.github.io/jsbasic/

Notes & Known Issues

• The BASIC program is compiled to JavaScript before execution. Syntax errors are therefore detected at compile-time rather than at run-time as on a traditional interpreter. For example, the following program would run without errors on an Apple since the erroneous second statement is never reached. 10 END : CHR$(PRINT)
• Handling of BASIC code that does not match the canonical LIST output format may not behave as on an Apple:
  • Keyword parsing differs from Applesoft command line. For example FOR I = S TO P doesn't collapse into FOR I = STOP.
• Limitations:
  • Floating point overflow is only detected on variable assignment.
  • Only a subset of DOS 3.3 and ProDOS useful for basic file I/O are implemented.
  • Only a small number of common PEEK, POKE and CALL locations are supported.
  • Commands that refer to assembly routines (&, USR() etc.), shape tables, and tape I/O are not implemented.
• Commands that operate on the program itself (LIST, RUN, DEL, etc.) are not implemented.
• A handful of extensions are made beyond Applesoft BASIC:
  • To improve readability, lines may start with : and continue the previously numbered line.
  • DEF FN can define string functions
  • == can be used as =
  • CHR$() values > 255 do interesting things
  • HSCRN(x, y) allows probing the hi-res screen
  • hexadecimal literals e.g. $C010 can be used as numbers