I am the author of WSpecem, the first ever ZX Spectrum emulator for Windows. It shows it's age indeed. It has been 25 years now, at the time was a feat.
There is a better version of Hi-Soft, called 'Hi-Soft BASIC'. It adds functions that start with a * followed by a letter, (e.g. type *c to compile, and type *r runs the M/C you just compiled). The ZIP compiler can compile itself, according to the original YS article. Brilliant episode. Cheers Paul.
Great work - 110 episodes in and it's still fresh. The retro-emulator section was fascinating to me - I've got an old 486 dx in the loft so may have to dig it out :D
Great overview of the BASIC compilers. I recalled my misadventures with it back in mid-90s, before I learned the assembly programming. Back then I had MCODER2, Softek, and Tobos FP. I had some trouble with getting Softek to work at all, and Tobos was very compatible, but not fast enough, so I ended up sticking to the MCODER2, just writing BASIC programs specifically to compile it with MCODER2, considering all of its limitations and quirks from the beginning. With this approach it was doing a fine job, actually. But it certainly wasn't something to simply speed up an existing program.
Hi Paul, a bit late to watch this episode this month! The Data 5000 case is able to store much more than you showed in the example here. Yes, it can store a rubber keyed 16/48k Spectrum. But it can also store a ZX Interface 1, plugged in directly underneath the Spectrum, as well as a ribbon cable, and a ZX Microdrive, which would sit in the same location you placed the power adapter. It will also fit the ZX Interface 2, which will fit both with, and without Interface 1 being included. In addition to _this,_ it will *also* store a plugged in ZX Printer. So you can have a rubber keyed Spectrum, Interface 1, Interface 2, ZX Printer, ZX Microdrive and ribbon cable, all connected up inside the same case (only just about adequately!) without compromising the structure or the dimensions of the case. The space where you placed the tapes, can be used also to store Microdrive cartridges (certainly in the 4 microdrive cartridge box) - possibly (boxed) Interface 2 ROMs as well - though I haven't tried the latter. If you have a key (a two pronged key) for the case, then it can be locked, and securely carry all the contents without a problem (but do check your case lock does work properly first...the consequences otherwise don't bear thinking about!)
Excellent episode, and thanks for all the hard work testing the compilers. I was very excited back in the day that I was going to make millions compiling my games to machine code only to run in to similar problems you did 😀
oh man I still remember when I first found and used the BASIC emulator for my 48K Spectrum back in 1985. I was 14 or 15. I didn't know what I was doing, but somehow I got it to run and actually compile my programs ... I felt like Superman ... I remember some of the compilers had non-integer issues, but they were faster ... so I had this joystick driven "paint" program that I wrote a while before and compiled it and used it so much that eventually I only had the compiled version left on my tape or microdrive ... I forget which ... I had lost the BASIC source code... I even implemented a very rough "floodfill" which helped me fill sections with colour... oh man, good days. I was a real nerd back then. Didn't change much since.
I had one of those cases too. I cut mine to fit a larger keyboard. I wonder if it’s still in my loft. I had a compiler too, I just remember it having the word Basic in the title, don’t think I ever tried it. This channel is inspiring me to venture into my loft, see what I can find.
Another wonderful episode, thank you Paul. You're doing the Spectrum community (and the world) a wonderful service here. I will carry on with my 3rd watch-through of all your videos as I wait for the next series. I found the compiler section very interesting indeed and it's something I've been pondering on but looking at all the pitfalls, I think I'll stick with basic and perhaps agd. phew!
I had this exact same case for my ZX-81 and 16K Ram Pack. I think it cost me £15 (of newspaper round earnings!) in early 1983. It got bungee-corded on my bike-rack a few times, so I could take it round to a mate's house. I probably binned it - and the ZX-81 - over a decade ago, before the retro scene. Probably worth a few quid now!
I have a Data 5000 case, in the top left there is a very flimsy plastic drop in that is the same shape and size as the moulding . I'm not surprised yours is missing as the plastic is the fragile sort that usually disintegrates after a few knocks.
Excellent episode as always. The compilers section fascinated me, as I had always assumed that the compilers were designed to work with all aspects of Spectrum BASIC (shows what little I know). I know I've mentioned this before but you brought up the old Horizons tape when doing the section about that carry case. When I got my Speccy back in 1984 I of course had the Horizons tape (played Thru the Wall to death). Then it broke and took ages before I got a replacement which was a Spectrum+ (which had its own Horizons tape and a great version of breakout called Demolition and another game which had you trying to fill the screen Amidar style. For intro BASIC games I realy liked them. Might make an interesting feature.
Hi Dear... I am a ZX Spectrum 48K/128K User/Programmer ... and a Big Fan of Your Spectrum Show Series. Where can I Buy a SVI-CAS, multi-device tape replacement. Device... I Stil Use and Program ZX Spectrums, Commodores and MSX Computer on my spare time. I worked as a Windows Developer and a Computer Technician for 25 Years and now I am enjoying my Retirement. Thank You... Best Regards... Mohammed A. Rahim Computer Technician/Programmer Manama - Bahrain
Funnily enough we were just digging up commercial games that were compiled BASIC on Spectrum Computing Forums. A lot of Automata games were compiled with early compilers such as Wye Valley or MCoder.
Definitely think that you do have to be aware of each compiler's quirks when writing your code. I made a Tetris game using MCoder II back on the day. One quirk was that AND and OR didn't work in IF statements - IF ... THEN IF ... THEN sorted the AND problem. It's possible that lots of extra brackets might help, too.
The "Sinclair Spectrum Classics" was sold in HMV back in 2001. I bought an identical version of the one shown and an orange version that was a C64 set. The only difference is that the Spectrum files were replaced with C64 versions. The other filler was identical!
Still easier to optimise BASIC than learn machine code or assembly. I did a lot of coding on the 48k Speccy, including some machine code that I re-used from magazines and made to work with my code. I also commercially released software for the Speccy. Had I known the contents of this video back then, I think I would have been more prolific in teh Speccy coding scene.
av got that speccy emulator, bought it in 2002, worked well on my okd p4 and then q6600, not been able to get it to work on new tech yet, oh and bought from the company that game took over.
For the compiler that starts at line 5,000 do you really have to type in the basic listing? Won't the MERGE command work? And i remember reading back in the day about Frank N Stein that the compiler was accidently included on the cassette so if you knew what you were doing you could access it 🙂
Hi Paul, Thanks for the video review of the SVI-CAS. I have a number of 80s UK tape based machines so looks very intersting but do you have a live order link for the unit?
I had one of these disks, bought in TESCO at the time! Pretty sure it's meant for Windows 3.11? Or was it Windows 95? Fairly sure a Pentium class processor if never going to work properly. Have You tried running these in DOS BOX? or a VM of 98 or 95?
Paul, what was the platform game you were playing at the end of the emulation cd segment? You seemed to be controlling a cherub. I'd like to give it a go.
I cannot find the SVI CAS to be sold anywhere - also, the forum posts from its author now lead to 404 Error Pages... :( Is this still available somewhere?
I used to. Still have a few about the place. About to produce a limited run of Blu-Ray (S1 & S2) as a test, to see how popular they are. Patrons get first chance at reduced rates, but there should be some left over.
@@Alancalan hi, once i'm in a position to start, I will add links from my website to the remaining DVDs and BluRays available. Probably check the site in a few weeks or keep your eye on my twitter feed.
I think there were two versions, one that can't handle decimals and one that can. I can only assume the one that only handles integers is faster. I'm also a bit confused though - surely replacing "0.7" with "7/10" requires non-integer mathematics in the compiler anyway? Otherwise the answer is either 0 or 1, depending on rounding? Maybe that's the source of some of the "integer out of range" errors.
I am the author of WSpecem, the first ever ZX Spectrum emulator for Windows. It shows it's age indeed. It has been 25 years now, at the time was a feat.
A very early emulator as you say.. and one that probably encouraged others to have a go.
It sounds counter intuitive but it might have run better on Windows 98
@@AdamAinsworth So I got to have a Win98 virtual machine as well ;)
Impressive dive into basic compilers. That must have been quite time consuming. Thanks for the effort - really enjoyed it.
In deed it was! But I had wanted to do it for about 4 years .. glad it out of the way now.
There is a better version of Hi-Soft, called 'Hi-Soft BASIC'. It adds functions that start with a * followed by a letter, (e.g. type *c to compile, and type *r runs the M/C you just compiled).
The ZIP compiler can compile itself, according to the original YS article.
Brilliant episode. Cheers Paul.
The comparison of the BASIC compilers is excellent.
The compiler comparison feature was excellent! Loved that part.
Great work - 110 episodes in and it's still fresh. The retro-emulator section was fascinating to me - I've got an old 486 dx in the loft so may have to dig it out :D
Great overview of the BASIC compilers. I recalled my misadventures with it back in mid-90s, before I learned the assembly programming. Back then I had MCODER2, Softek, and Tobos FP. I had some trouble with getting Softek to work at all, and Tobos was very compatible, but not fast enough, so I ended up sticking to the MCODER2, just writing BASIC programs specifically to compile it with MCODER2, considering all of its limitations and quirks from the beginning. With this approach it was doing a fine job, actually. But it certainly wasn't something to simply speed up an existing program.
Hi Paul, a bit late to watch this episode this month!
The Data 5000 case is able to store much more than you showed in the example here.
Yes, it can store a rubber keyed 16/48k Spectrum.
But it can also store a ZX Interface 1, plugged in directly underneath the Spectrum, as well as a ribbon cable, and a ZX Microdrive, which would sit in the same location you placed the power adapter.
It will also fit the ZX Interface 2, which will fit both with, and without Interface 1 being included.
In addition to _this,_ it will *also* store a plugged in ZX Printer.
So you can have a rubber keyed Spectrum, Interface 1, Interface 2, ZX Printer, ZX Microdrive and ribbon cable, all connected up inside the same case (only just about adequately!) without compromising the structure or the dimensions of the case.
The space where you placed the tapes, can be used also to store Microdrive cartridges (certainly in the 4 microdrive cartridge box) - possibly (boxed) Interface 2 ROMs as well - though I haven't tried the latter.
If you have a key (a two pronged key) for the case, then it can be locked, and securely carry all the contents without a problem (but do check your case lock does work properly first...the consequences otherwise don't bear thinking about!)
Excellent episode, and thanks for all the hard work testing the compilers. I was very excited back in the day that I was going to make millions compiling my games to machine code only to run in to similar problems you did 😀
It always feels like such a treat when I see these in my notifications.
This is a great comparison of the compilers, something I'd always wanted to learn about. Great work!
I always look forward to TSS releases, the compiler comparison feature was the highlight for me in this episode, very interesting.
oh man I still remember when I first found and used the BASIC emulator for my 48K Spectrum back in 1985. I was 14 or 15. I didn't know what I was doing, but somehow I got it to run and actually compile my programs ... I felt like Superman ... I remember some of the compilers had non-integer issues, but they were faster ... so I had this joystick driven "paint" program that I wrote a while before and compiled it and used it so much that eventually I only had the compiled version left on my tape or microdrive ... I forget which ... I had lost the BASIC source code... I even implemented a very rough "floodfill" which helped me fill sections with colour... oh man, good days. I was a real nerd back then. Didn't change much since.
I never had a spectrum, sadly. So thx for the impressions!
(ah, and from scramble as well! :)
I had one of those cases too. I cut mine to fit a larger keyboard. I wonder if it’s still in my loft.
I had a compiler too, I just remember it having the word Basic in the title, don’t think I ever tried it.
This channel is inspiring me to venture into my loft, see what I can find.
Great show. Very interesting topics this month.
I want a Spectrum Next so badly 😞
Best episode ever. I loved the suitcase, compilers and Geoff vs Paul game...
Another wonderful episode, thank you Paul. You're doing the Spectrum community (and the world) a wonderful service here. I will carry on with my 3rd watch-through of all your videos as I wait for the next series. I found the compiler section very interesting indeed and it's something I've been pondering on but looking at all the pitfalls, I think I'll stick with basic and perhaps agd. phew!
Aww, I loved that Spectrum Emu on my Psion Series 5! Spent hours playing Leaderboard Golf and Jet Set Willy on trains.
Great episode. Used the Mcoder, Colt and Wye Valley Software compilers back in the day. The latter became my go to!
This "classic" and other, better unpublished games were produced with it ua-cam.com/video/KNmsu912heA/v-deo.html
Another brilliant episode. A must watch every month for me and Jane thanks buddy 🙂
great way to spend an hour as usual, thanks for doing these shows!
One of your best videos! I liked the compilers part very much!
It was both annoying and pleasing at the same time!
I had this exact same case for my ZX-81 and 16K Ram Pack. I think it cost me £15 (of newspaper round earnings!) in early 1983. It got bungee-corded on my bike-rack a few times, so I could take it round to a mate's house. I probably binned it - and the ZX-81 - over a decade ago, before the retro scene. Probably worth a few quid now!
I have a Data 5000 case, in the top left there is a very flimsy plastic drop in that is the same shape and size as the moulding . I'm not surprised yours is missing as the plastic is the fragile sort that usually disintegrates after a few knocks.
Excellent episode as always. The compilers section fascinated me, as I had always assumed that the compilers were designed to work with all aspects of Spectrum BASIC (shows what little I know).
I know I've mentioned this before but you brought up the old Horizons tape when doing the section about that carry case. When I got my Speccy back in 1984 I of course had the Horizons tape (played Thru the Wall to death). Then it broke and took ages before I got a replacement which was a Spectrum+ (which had its own Horizons tape and a great version of breakout called Demolition and another game which had you trying to fill the screen Amidar style. For intro BASIC games I realy liked them. Might make an interesting feature.
Hi Dear...
I am a ZX Spectrum 48K/128K User/Programmer ... and a Big Fan of Your Spectrum Show Series.
Where can I Buy a SVI-CAS, multi-device tape replacement. Device...
I Stil Use and Program ZX Spectrums, Commodores and MSX Computer on my spare time.
I worked as a Windows Developer and a Computer Technician for 25 Years and now I am enjoying my Retirement.
Thank You...
Best Regards...
Mohammed A. Rahim
Computer Technician/Programmer
Manama - Bahrain
Funnily enough we were just digging up commercial games that were compiled BASIC on Spectrum Computing Forums. A lot of Automata games were compiled with early compilers such as Wye Valley or MCoder.
Yep, read that just before I rendered out the episode. The compiler bit was filmed a few weeks ago though :-)
Definitely think that you do have to be aware of each compiler's quirks when writing your code. I made a Tetris game using MCoder II back on the day. One quirk was that AND and OR didn't work in IF statements - IF ... THEN IF ... THEN sorted the AND problem. It's possible that lots of extra brackets might help, too.
The "Sinclair Spectrum Classics" was sold in HMV back in 2001. I bought an identical version of the one shown and an orange version that was a C64 set. The only difference is that the Spectrum files were replaced with C64 versions. The other filler was identical!
There were a few CDs and DVDs of Speccy stuff back then. I have several of them and have covered some on the show.
Brilliant Episode as always.
You should also test the TOBOS-FP compiler...
Did the compilers struggle with the starting period of .07, expecting 0.07? Or did that not work either?
I loved the compiler part. Best review ever! Would you do a review of HiSoft Compiler 1.2 and the +3 disc version?
You really want me to go through all that again!
Hello brilliant videos as always …. I am finding it difficult to find where can I buy the svi cas from
Love this show channel !
You should try "TOBOS FP" compiler.
Stu Collier who wrote that Jetman remake has spent the last few years writing and releasing new C64 games.
Hi friend,the machine spectrum microcomputer today great visuals vídeos and games programations.
Salutations of Spain
I Had The Spectrum Emulator For My PC. Good Emulator. Had To Correct The Colour On It. Good Episode By The Way!.
Great as ever!
(Arcade) Tuh! Modern kids huh? ;D Like the new bits too
Great episode! Where can I buy an SVI cas (sorry if this was mentioned - didn't catch it)?
Forgot to add it.. it's now in the details text.
I had a a ZX81, I dreamed of getting a Spectrum :)
Still easier to optimise BASIC than learn machine code or assembly. I did a lot of coding on the 48k Speccy, including some machine code that I re-used from magazines and made to work with my code. I also commercially released software for the Speccy. Had I known the contents of this video back then, I think I would have been more prolific in teh Speccy coding scene.
I did have Mcoder back in the 80s... spent ages and still never managed to get any of my BASIC games to compile!
There's still time!
Ahhh Bobby bearing the first game I ever bought with my pocket money
av got that speccy emulator, bought it in 2002, worked well on my okd p4 and then q6600, not been able to get it to work on new tech yet, oh and bought from the company that game took over.
OCD trigered at 46:16! PSU strain relief not correctly fitted 😵I will have to go have a lie down 🤣
It was an old one that I do not use... I will fix it when needed though.
For the compiler that starts at line 5,000 do you really have to type in the basic listing? Won't the MERGE command work?
And i remember reading back in the day about Frank N Stein that the compiler was accidently included on the cassette so if you knew what you were doing you could access it 🙂
Yep, I do merge later tests into it :-)
@@BuckingTheTrend2008 🙂👍
Hi Paul, Thanks for the video review of the SVI-CAS. I have a number of 80s UK tape based machines so looks very intersting but do you have a live order link for the unit?
Added it to the details text.
Where can we get that tape emulator from looks great
Details in the text now.. forgot to add it.
@@BuckingTheTrend2008 cheers Paul awesome show as always bud
Please do a special episode with those custom loaders
I have a feeling I have already watched an episode of this on that very subject! Have a search!
I had one of these disks, bought in TESCO at the time! Pretty sure it's meant for Windows 3.11? Or was it Windows 95? Fairly sure a Pentium class processor if never going to work properly. Have You tried running these in DOS BOX? or a VM of 98 or 95?
Paul, what was the platform game you were playing at the end of the emulation cd segment? You seemed to be controlling a cherub. I'd like to give it a go.
Hundra.
I cannot find the SVI CAS to be sold anywhere - also, the forum posts from its author now lead to 404 Error Pages... :( Is this still available somewhere?
The link in the description is to a PDF that contains an email address for sales.
@@BuckingTheTrend2008 thanks!
Another Super show.
That link to the SVI-CAS does that work for anyone ?
Please check to see if i am still a patreon as somehow i think it may have been cancelled.
Can you email me direct. Seems your sub was cancelled by Patreon
@@BuckingTheTrend2008 can you send me your email address please as i do not have it. Thanks
It is ok Paul. Just resubscibed.
Thought i had managed to re subscribe, but still not allowing access
Subbed ! :)
Hay paul. Do you sell DVD's of your videos, does allan sell DVD's too.
I used to. Still have a few about the place. About to produce a limited run of Blu-Ray (S1 & S2) as a test, to see how popular they are. Patrons get first chance at reduced rates, but there should be some left over.
Ok brilliant paul. How do I buy one. I'm not on patreon
@@Alancalan hi, once i'm in a position to start, I will add links from my website to the remaining DVDs and BluRays available. Probably check the site in a few weeks or keep your eye on my twitter feed.
Stll no access to patreon Paul. Can you check again for me please.
A programme that can't handle decimals? I'm baffled.
I think there were two versions, one that can't handle decimals and one that can. I can only assume the one that only handles integers is faster. I'm also a bit confused though - surely replacing "0.7" with "7/10" requires non-integer mathematics in the compiler anyway? Otherwise the answer is either 0 or 1, depending on rounding? Maybe that's the source of some of the "integer out of range" errors.
FIRST
No one cares mate. first or last, it's all as good.