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93 changes: 74 additions & 19 deletions README.md
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*(c) Copyright 2024 Óscar Toledo Gutiérrez*
*https://nanochess.org/*

CVBasic is a BASIC language cross-compiler with a syntax alike to QBasic for the Colecovision/SG1000/MSX/SVI-318/328/Sord M5/Memotech/Creativision.
CVBasic is a BASIC language cross-compiler with a syntax alike to QBasic originally written for the Colecovision video game console.

The CVBasic compiler can create programs up to 1 MB using the BANK statements (16K bank switching support across Colecovision+MSX+SG1000). Currently, Spectravideo SVI-318/328, Sord M5 and Memotech doesn't have bank-switch support because there's no cartridge hardware supporting it.
The CVBasic compiler can create programs up to 1 MB using the BANK statements (using 16K bank switching).

CVBasic.c The CVBasic compiler C language source code
LICENSE Source code license
Later it was extended to support the following platforms:

* Sega SG-1000 / SC-3000 (supporting bank switching with Sega mapper)
* MSX 1 (supporting bank switching with ASCII16 mapper)
* Spectravideo SVI-318 / 328.
* Sord M5.
* Memotech MTX.
* Vtech Creativision (Dick Smith's Wizzard / Laser 2001).
* Tatung Einstein.
* Casio PV2000.
* Hanimex/Soundic Pencil II.

One of the advantages of using CVBasic is that all the programs can be compiled for all the platforms with mostly no modifications at all. Although the compiler started supporting only Z80, now this includes the 6502 based Creativision. This way it achieves a truly portable BASIC across the common theme: the video processor Texas Instruments TMS9128/9129.

The following files compose the compiler:

CVBasic.c The CVBasic compiler C language source code.
cpu6502.h 6502 code headers.
cpu6502.c 6502 code generation.
cpuz80.h Z80 code headers.
cpuz80.c Z80 code generation.
driver.h Driver headers.
driver.c Driver for both processors.
node.h Tree node headers.
node.c Tree node creation and optimization.
LICENSE.txt Source code license

cvbasic_prologue.asm Prologue file needed for compiled programs.
cvbasic_epilogue.asm Epilogue file needed for compiled programs.
Expand All @@ -19,7 +43,9 @@ The CVBasic compiler can create programs up to 1 MB using the BANK statements (1
examples/bank.bas Bank-switching example.
examples/demo.bas Demo of graphics.
examples/face_joystick.bas Moving face with joystick.
examples/happy_face.bas Bouncing face.
examples/music.bas Music example.
examples/oscar_compressed.bas High-resolution graphics example compressed with Pletter.
examples/oscar.bas High-resolution graphics example.
examples/portrait.bas Data used by demo.bas
examples/space_attack.bas Game example.
Expand All @@ -36,63 +62,92 @@ Using CVBasic to compile a Colecovision program:
cvbasic game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom -l game.lst

You need to assemble the output file using Gasm80 available from [http://github.com/nanochess/gasm80](http://github.com/nanochess/gasm80)
You need to assemble the output file using Gasm80 available from [http://github.com/nanochess/gasm80](http://github.com/nanochess/gasm80) (this assembler serves for all the platforms, including Creativision based on 6502 CPU)

Using CVBasic to compile a Sega SG1000 program:
Using CVBasic to compile a Sega SG1000/SC3000 program:

cvbasic --sg1000 game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom

Using CVBasic to compile a MSX program for 8K RAM (wider compatibility) and 16K RAM:

cvbasic --msx game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom

cvbasic --msx -ram16 game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom

Using CVBasic to compile a Colecovision Super Game Module program:

cvbasic --sgm game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom

Using CVBasic to compile a Spectravideo SVI-318/328 program:

cvbasic --svi game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom

Using CVBasic to compile a Sord M5 program:

cvbasic --sord game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom

Using CVBasic to compile a Memotech MTX program:

cvbasic --memotech game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.run

cvbasic --memotech -cpm game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.com

For Memotech, use .run extension instead of .rom, and for CP/M option use .com extension.

Using CVBasic to compile a VTech Creativision (Dick Smith's Wizzard) program:
Using CVBasic to compile a VTech Creativision (Dick Smith's Wizzard / Vtech Laser 2001) program:

cvbasic --creativision game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom

Using CVBasic to compile a Hanimex/Soundic Pencil II program (almost exactly like a Colecovision, but with 2K of RAM and different cartridge header):

cvbasic --pencil game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom

Using CVBasic to compile a Tatung Einstein program:

cvbasic --einstein game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.com

Using CVBasic to compile a Casio PV-2000 program:

cvbasic --pv2000 game.bas game.asm
gasm80 game.asm -o game.rom

### Notes

The current official version is v0.6.0.

MSX controller support only handles the two joysticks and keyboard arrows (plus Space and M for buttons).
All platforms have been tested in emulation.

The Sega SG1000 doesn't have any keypad, so CONT1.KEY and CONT2.KEY aren't operative, but the support includes compatibility with Sega SC3000 computer, and the keyboard can be used as first controller (code contributed by SiRioKD)
* Colecovision and MSX have been tested in real hardware by myself.
* Sega SG1000/SC3000 tested in real hardware by aotta.
* Spectravideo SVI-318/328 tested in real hardware by Tony Cruise.
* Creativision / Dick Smith's Wizzard tested in real hardware by Scouter3d.

The Spectravideo SVI-328 only has one button in the joystick. The keyboard can be used for the second button (letter M) and to have keypad.
MSX controller support only handles the two joysticks and keyboard arrows (plus Space and M for buttons). The keys 0-9, Backspace and Return emulate the Colecovision keypad (CONT1.KEY only).

The Sord M5 can only use binaries up to 16 kb, and the keyboard can be used for the first controller.
The Sega SG1000 doesn't have any keypad, so CONT1.KEY and CONT2.KEY aren't operative, but the support includes compatibility with Sega SC3000 computer, and the keyboard can be used as first controller (code contributed by SiRioKD) and for CONT1.KEY using the keys 0-9, Delete and CR.

Currently for Memotech the expressions CONT1.KEY and CONT2.KEY aren't operative..
The Spectravideo SVI-328 only has one button in the joystick. The keyboard can be used for the second button (letter M) and to have keypad (CONT1.KEY only) using the keys 0-9, Backspace and Return.

Many people is developing games using CVBasic, feel free to check some of these examples at the [AtariAge Colecovision Programming forum](https://forums.atariage.com/forum/55-colecovision-programming/)
The Sord M5 can only use binaries up to 16 kb, both joysticks are handled as controllers, and the keyboard emulate the Colecovision keypad (CONT1.KEY only) using the keys 0-9, Backslash/Del and Return.

The Memotech can only use binaries up to 32 kb, keyboard is handled as controller 1, and it can also emulate the Colecovision keypad (CONT1.KEY only) using the keys 0-9, BS and Ret.

The Tatung Einstein can only use binaries up to 32 kb, keyboard is handled as controller 1 (joystick not used), and it can also emulate the Colecovision keypad (CONT1.KEY only) using the keys 0-9, Del/Ins and Enter.

### Experimental things
The Casio PV-2000 can only use binaries up to 16 kb, the keyboard and joystick are controller 1, and it can emulate the Colecovision keypad (CONT1.KEY only) using the keys 0-9, Home/Cls and Return.

Vtech Creativision support is experimental, and it doesn't handle currently CONT1.KEY and CONT2.KEY.
The Creativision can only use binaries up to 32 kb, the joysticks are controller 1 and controller 2, and it can emulate the Coleocovision keypad (CONT1.KEY only) using the keys 0-9, Left and RETN.

Notice the 6502 support library hasn't been tested properly. In particular the VDP code could be buggy in real hardware.
Many people is developing games using CVBasic, feel free to check some of these examples at the [AtariAge Colecovision Programming forum](https://forums.atariage.com/forum/55-colecovision-programming/)


### Supporting the developer
Expand All @@ -114,4 +169,4 @@ All the games in the book will compile for **all** the platforms.

### Acknowledgments

Thanks to the following members of Atariage for contributing valuable suggestions: abeker, aotta, ARTRAG, atari2600land, carlsson, CrazyBoss, drfloyd, gemintronic, Jess Ragan, Kamshaft, Kiwi, pixelboy, SiRioKD, Tarzilla, Tony Cruise, and youki.
Thanks to the following members of Atariage for contributing valuable suggestions: abeker, aotta, ARTRAG, atari2600land, carlsson, chalkyw64, CrazyBoss, drfloyd, gemintronic, Jess Ragan, Kamshaft, Kiwi, pixelboy, SiRioKD, Tarzilla, Tony Cruise, wavemotion, and youki.
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