Talk:TI-Basic Z80 Programming/Archive

Combining Wikis
A while ago I started a TI-Basic wiki aptly named TI-Basic Developer because I didn't think there was a TI-Basic wiki on the Internet, but now that I know this wiki exists, I think it would be good to combine wikis. It seems rather pointless to have both wikis separately working towards the same goal, when we could just consolidate our efforts and create one single high-quality wiki.

While this TI-Basic wiki has some quality content, TI-Basic Developer actually has considerably more content and is further along in its development (please check it out and see for yourself), so I think it should be the wiki that is used. Every user here would be eligible to become a member, and the admins could keep their admin positions. I don't know who the admins are for this wiki, but could they please consider this offer and write a response back. You can also contact me by email at tibasicdev @ gmail. com (remove spaces). Thanks --Burr 13:03, 31 March 2007 (UTC)

TI-Basic vs traditional
You should definitely mention ticalc.org as it's resources are vast. Also, I think this would be helpful. Virtual TI. Is TI-Basic the same as Basic? Just wondering. --Gflores 01:49, 15 November 2005 (UTC)


 * TI-Basic is a version of BASIC... It works much the same way but some commands are changed, added or removed. Nilsmo 19:22, 19 November 2005 (UTC)


 * The basic used on the calculators is different from the more traditional basic. It has while loops and other features that I can't remember right now that traditional basic doesn't have. --Peterw 23:17, 22 November 2005 (UTC)

TI83/84 vs TI86 vs TI89
There are different versions of TI-BASIC depending on calculators. How should this be handled? (For example, GetKey codes are different in different graphing calculators.) Nilsmo 19:22, 19 November 2005 (UTC)


 * And by the way, seeing how the only true difference in programming on TI-83 compared to the TI-83 plus is that you can't use lower case and some catalogue features, I think we shouldn't limit the guide to just the plus, we can just mention the limitations and correctly label in the catalogue list (upcoming). Gtabmx 22:24, 20 November 2005 (UTC)


 * I think we could start each section with the general stuff and add subsections detailing the differences. Just an idea. I haven't programmed outside of the 83/84/+ line so I don't know how different it can get. Gdd 02:29, 22 November 2005 (UTC)


 * True, 83+ BASIC isn't much different from 83 BASIC, but the BASIC used on TI-89 calculators is very different from the code used on TI-83s. The command for clearing the screen is even different on the 89 and it will be quite hard to explain the major differences in, for example, menus and pixels for the two calculators. Since most of us, including myself, seem to be programming singularly for the 83+ line, I suggest this wikibook at least tell the reader that this tutorial is only designed for 83, 83+, 83+ Silver Edition, 84+ and 84+ Silver Edition calculators. Nilsmo 13:30, 27 November 2005 (UTC)


 * So... is this module focusing on the 83 Plus (and subsequently the regualr 83) or is it going to encompas as many calculators as possible? Or just 83/84 family? --Gtabmx 22:54, 1 December 2005 (UTC)


 * Yes. (I think) Nobody here owns an 89 so it would be impossible to teach that... 69.251.238.76 17:04, 3 December 2005 (UTC)

A volunteer
Hey, I have been programming in TI-BASIC for a long time and I will gladly conrtibute as much of my free time to building this Book up; however, some reorganizing must be done to make s easier to learn the commands as they are need in programming rather than as they appear in the lists (If should be followed with End along with Then and Else, and should be all on one page). Also, I think this is a great opportnity to create a Tricks/Tips page with a vast library of byte-saving shortcuts and efficiencies. Also, this is my first time making major updates to a Wiki document, so any info/help is appreciated, but since I learned all my TI-BASIC trhough trial and error and experimenting, I should be able to study other documents/additions and copy the way it is written. Gtabmx 00:39, 20 November 2005 (UTC)

Tricks
The tricks section is a good idea. Tricks that can be done using TI-BASIC are quite valuable, and, in some cases, necessary for a useful program. I know many of these so maybe I'll start a new section on them. Nilsmo 13:30, 27 November 2005 (UTC)


 * Just ballpark it, how many different Getkey possibilities do you think there are? I know of 4 or 5, but I've heard others talk about faster ways.  Do you know? (Gtabmx 16:25, 8 December 2005 (UTC))

Fix up Necessary Items
The Necessary Items page is now updated to include other computer software and ticalc.org but I wasn't logged in when I updated it so, yeah. Gtabmx 14:24, 21 November 2005 (UTC)

Overall plan and Layout
Are you sure this is the best layout. Could someone give an abstract of what each section is about? Which section will link ports be placed in? Gdd 02:29, 22 November 2005 (UTC)


 * Yeah, it is best to learn the language in the order from simple to more complex, of course, learning commands of the same category or that are used together (ie. If/Then/Else/End) at the same time or following each other. But what I don't understand is this, are we writing a book for programming in all TI-BASIC forms for all supporting calculators, or just for the 83/83Plus?  Also, I think that for those who want to learn from scratch can read from beginning to end, while those who need to learn only certain aspects can do so by using links.  Therefore, the layout must be in order, but must allow easy acess to all the disussed topics.  And by the way, I made a mistake in the IF section becuase it was late at nigth and I forgot to mention that when using End to close off If regulated instructions, there must be a Then after IF.  Anyway, I'll get around to adding and fixing soon, but the last two weeks of college are nuts.  Gtabmx 11:51, 29 November 2005 (UTC)


 * Great job to whomever added the links at the bottom of each page. Very useful.  So right now we should make a plan to organize both the pages and the TOC.  Also, is there another way to make boxes that look different from the pre /pre ones?  Gtabmx 11:00, 30 November 2005 (UTC)


 * I feel that Output should come before Input. And somewhere early we need the assignment operator (STO) --MathMan64 05:34, 1 December 2005 (UTC)

Alright, I've been thinking and taking others's suggestions so far into consideration and the current plan should be as follows: - Abstract - Introduction (including about TI-Basic, programming,      differences in versions, conventions used in module,       TI-Basic and overall computer lingo, ...) - Necessary Items - Variables (letters, strings, matrices, functions, ...      although we shouldn't force learning matrices on newcomers       since for most simple starting stuff, you may never use them.     - Output     - Input     - Criteria based instructions (starting with If/Then/Else/End, then While, then Repeat, then For(, and then IS>( and DS<(      optionnaly (I have personnaly never used them, but would like to).    - Other CTL commands (like Lbl/Goto, Pause, Stop, ... baisically the rest)    - The rest of the I/O commands in order of how easy they are to       understand/implement     - Then get into more advaned programming     - Trick, Tips, and Optimizations     - Conclusion Of course, people will surely find more to add, but I have class now...  (Gtabmx 13:27, 1 December 2005 (UTC))


 * IS>( and DS<( are mainly left over for compatibility with the original TI-81 which had very little decision and looping capability.--MathMan64 01:31, 8 December 2005 (UTC)


 * Right, so as a sole TI-83 Plus Basic programmer, I don't really "need" IS>( and DS<( ? Ok, makes no difference, I never understood the explanaitions on how to use them and frankly never felt the need to use them. (Gtabmx 13:14, 8 December 2005 (UTC))

Instructions sub-module size
I must suggest a change in the plan for the list of instructions. Having a whole module for each one does not seem appropriate to me. I like the content so far, and there is some more detail and an example or two that could be added. But even with that, a lot of them would consist only of two or three paragraphs - - a little small for a module.

Having a module for the CTL instructions and having the link to IF be TI-Basic:Instructions:CTL makes more sense (especially for those that are really small like Stop.) --MathMan64 05:28, 8 December 2005 (UTC)


 * You see, I wanted to do exactly that: have one CTL page and one I/O page so that not only would all the instructions be in one placed, but anything can be linked with the #IF an so on; however, this is the first time I write for Wiki and in a previous edit I tried to use the # somewhere in a link but I don't know how to use it properly. Can anyone explain how to link to sections within a wiki page?  I've checked the Wiki help section and they give no such information.  I agree this way of organizing the guide in much more efficient.  (Gtabmx 13:18, 8 December 2005 (UTC))

Input and GetKey
I agree with the present Table of Contents that GetKey should be a separate module. If so, we should move It's coverage from Input. --MathMan64 05:44, 8 December 2005 (UTC)


 * Yup, once we get a seperate CTL module and a seperate I/O module (then hopfully a Draw module and Vars module and so on) then we can have a line in it uder the Getkey section with a brief description of what the Getkey command does and link to the real Getkey module and link to the Tips, Tricks, and Optimizations module, where I can ganarntee will have many Getkey techniques. (Gtabmx 13:23, 8 December 2005 (UTC))

TI-Basic Wikibook conventions
I figure the modules and expalnations for each instrcution, as well as the overall presentation, should be written and displayed the same way no matter the topic or the writter, so we will need an agreed upon convention for writting the modules.

My suggestion is: -introduce the instruction (what it does an where to find it) -give its general form or forms (for example: line([initial x],[initial y],[final x],[final y]) and line([initial x],[initial y],[final x],[final y],0) for the line( instruction ) -explain how the calculator handles it -give explanations and examples of its uses (basic in the basic section and more advanced uses in the advanced section) and use the preview boxes -explain/demonstrate exceptions or irregularities (if applicapble) -link to other modules or sections in this Wikibook with relevant information to the instruction/information discussed -include the Previous and Next links along with the main page link to the table of contents.

I'll try to make the IF page I wrote look like this and who ever wants to make suggestion can, then we can begin writing them all (just can't believe how long it will take to complete the Catalogue page!!) Gtabmx 16:21, 8 December 2005 (UTC)

TI BASIC Advanced?
What about those of us who are really advanced? I'll write an advanced tutorial if you want me too--you can put it in wherever. If you don't think I'm advanced enough, e-mail me and I'll tell you about some games I made--maybe send you the coding if I have time. Look... ---A Cave game(not side scrolling, but hey, whatever) ---A 5-7 frames per second side-scroller (an Optimized SiCoDe WAR) ---A Nibbles game (I can make the snake take a dump with lethal crap) ---A puzzle game where you get from 1 pt to another avoiding spikes, and all you have is an anit-gravity suit And so on.... But don't mind me--I'm ranting, but I WILL write an advanced tutorial for this book. I've seen other advanced tutorials and stuff from SiCoDe(supposedly the best while they were still here) and even those guides\games have problems. I mean, gotoing out of a loop? HELLO??? That was in WAR!! Yeah, the 6 fps game. I optimized it so it no longer does that, and there is virtually no pause when the bomb explodes. Go get it from sicode.ticalc.org if you don't believe me.

Sorry if I'm just wasting space--kill this if you want. Just contact me at harrierfalcon32@yahoo.com

=Clean Up!=

See the conditional page. --Jimmyatic 15:15, 17 April 2007 (UTC)