Eremey Valetov
e7f35c21ff
Binary SAVE/LOAD: SAVE now writes tokenized binary by default (0xFF header format), matching original GW-BASIC behavior. SAVE "file",A for ASCII. LOAD auto-detects binary vs ASCII from the first byte. Command-line file loading also auto-detects, so binary .BAS files just work. INKEY$ extended keys: arrow keys, Home/End/PgUp/PgDn, Insert/Delete, and F1-F10 now return the correct CHR$(0) + scan_code two-byte sequences per the IBM PC convention. Refactored event trap key parsing to use tui_read_key() instead of duplicating escape sequence parsing. Golden-file regression tests: generated .expected output files for 55 of 58 test programs (3 timing-dependent tests excluded). The test runner now reports compat match status alongside pass/fail. Classic programs: added Hamurabi, Lunar Lander, Gunner, and Diamond from David Ahl's BASIC Computer Games (1978) in tests/classic/ for manual compatibility testing. Docs updated with compiler roadmap item and hardware I/O simulator plan.
40 lines
1.6 KiB
Markdown
40 lines
1.6 KiB
Markdown
# GW-BASIC 2026
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A portable C reimplementation of Microsoft GW-BASIC, using the
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[original 8088 assembly source](https://github.com/microsoft/GW-BASIC)
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(released by Microsoft in 2020) as the authoritative reference.
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This is not a transpilation — it reimplements the algorithms in clean C11
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with modern data structures while targeting bug-compatible behavior.
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Unlike the original assembly (43,771 lines across 43 `.ASM` files), this
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version is structured as modular C suitable for new feature development.
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## Highlights
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- **Authentic full-screen editor** — dynamically sized screen buffer (25×80
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default, full terminal with `--full`), free cursor movement, Enter-on-any-line,
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F1-F10 function keys, Insert/Overwrite toggle
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- **Binary and ASCII file formats** — `SAVE` writes tokenized binary by default,
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`LOAD` auto-detects format (just like the real thing)
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- **INKEY$ extended keys** — arrow keys, F-keys, and navigation keys return proper
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`CHR$(0)` + scan code two-byte sequences
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- **Sixel graphics** — `SCREEN 1`/`SCREEN 2` rendering in compatible terminals
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- **Sound** — `SOUND`, `BEEP`, `PLAY` (MML) via PulseAudio
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- **Full file I/O** — sequential, random-access, SAVE/LOAD/MERGE/CHAIN/COMMON
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- **Printer output** — `LPRINT`/`LLIST` to file or real hardware via `--lpt`
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- **Classic programs** — Hamurabi, Lunar Lander, Gunner, and Diamond from
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David Ahl's *BASIC Computer Games* (1978) run out of the box
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- **58 test programs** with golden-file regression testing and DOSBox-X
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compatibility testing against real GWBASIC.EXE
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- **MIT License**
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```{toctree}
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:maxdepth: 2
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getting-started
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language-reference
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architecture
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development
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roadmap
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```
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