Simons' BASIC

Simons ' BASIC is an extension of the Commodore BASIC 2.0 command set for the Commodore 64 home computer. The extension was written in 1983 by the then 16 -year-old British programmer David Simons and sold by Commodore in a plug-in module or on diskette. The frequently found spelling " Simon's BASIC" is wrong.

114 additional commands provides Simons ' BASIC available. This is especially commands that simplify the programming of sprites, high-resolution graphics, multicolor graphics and sound. In addition, there are commands that support structured programming, such as the ELSE clause to IF ... THEN, named branch targets, and the ability to use local variables in subroutines. In addition to very useful commands containing this extension some who had more curiosity value even in appearance already, such as the ability to make the screen flash frame in 255 different speeds.

Since these BASIC extension very soon appeared after the debut of the C64, was very powerful and was marketed by Commodore themselves, they spread more than any other BASIC extensions for the C64. Simons ' BASIC was therefore also the only extended BASIC, appeared for the significant numbers of listings for typing in computer magazines. Even a few commercial programs translated Simons ' BASIC ahead.

Because a part of the present in the plug-in module program code address space $ 8000 - $ 9FFF occupied, in the normal operation of the C- 64 is a portion of memory for BASIC programs, the memory for BASIC programs on the calculator is by the use of this module 8 KB less than in normal operation - instead of 38 KB so are only 30 KB for user programs and their variables.

Others

The band Barcelona named her 1999 debut album " Simon Basic" as a kind of tribute. The album also contains the song " C-64 ".