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BASIC-80 MBASIC Programs Collection

Overview

This repository contains a collection of BASIC-80 MBASIC programs, including games and various applications, that I wrote over the years. These programs were primarily optimized for the Kaypro computer but may work on other systems with little to no modification.

Historical Context

MBASIC, also known as BASIC-80, was an early and influential implementation of the BASIC programming language developed by Microsoft in 1975. It became one of the most widely used programming languages in the late 1970s and early 1980s, running on various 8-bit systems, including the popular CP/M operating system. The Kaypro, for which these programs were optimized, was a portable microcomputer introduced in 1982. It ran CP/M and was known for its rugged construction and bundled software, making it a popular choice for both business and personal use.

Repository Contents

This repository includes:

  • Games written in BASIC-80
  • Statistics programs
  • Benchmarking applications
  • Demonstration programs

Each program is provided as a separate file with a .bas extension.

Usage

To run these programs:

Step 1: Initialize CP/M

Ensure that the CP/M operating system is running on your machine.

Step 2: Start MBASIC

At the CP/M command prompt, type 'MBASIC' and press Enter.

Step 3: Load the Program

If you have a specific BASIC program file to run, type MBASIC followed by the filename.

  • For example, to load a program named 'GAMES.BAS', type 'MBASIC GAMES.BAS' and press Enter.
  • This command will load and execute the specified program file immediately after MBASIC initializes.

Step 4: Enter or Load Program Code

If you haven't loaded a file and need to enter your program code manually, you can start typing your BASIC program line by line within the MBASIC environment.

Step 5: Run the Program

  1. Once your program is either loaded into memory or typed in, start execution by typing RUN and pressing Enter.
  2. If you want to start execution from a specific line number, type RUN followed by the line number (e.g., RUN 100) and press Enter.

Step 6: Exit MBASIC

To exit MBASIC and return to the CP/M command prompt, type SYSTEM and press Enter.

Note: While these programs were optimized for the Kaypro, they may run on other CP/M systems or BASIC-80 compatible environments with minimal modifications.

Compatibility

These programs should be compatible with:

  • Kaypro CP/M computers
  • CP/M systems running MBASIC
  • Some may work on early IBM PC compatibles with appropriate BASIC interpreters (e.g., BASICA, GW-BASIC)

Minor adjustments may be necessary for systems other than the Kaypro.

Contributing

Contributions to this collection are welcome! If you have BASIC-80 programs to add or improvements to existing ones, please feel free to submit a pull request.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to all the early BASIC programmers and Kaypro II enthusiasts who have helped preserve this important part of computing history.