evv/gw-basic-2026

Files

Eremey Valetov e7f35c21ff Implement binary SAVE/LOAD, INKEY$ extended keys, golden tests, update to v0.10.0

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.

2026-03-01 12:25:47 -05:00

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Getting Started

Dependencies

C11 compiler (GCC or Clang)
CMake 3.10+
PulseAudio development library (libpulse-simple) — optional, for SOUND/BEEP/PLAY

On Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt-get install build-essential cmake libpulse-dev

On Fedora/RHEL:

sudo dnf install gcc cmake pulseaudio-libs-devel

Building

git clone https://github.com/evvaletov/gw-basic-2026.git
cd gw-basic-2026
mkdir -p build && cd build
cmake .. && make

The binary is build/gwbasic.

Usage

Interactive Mode

Running ./gwbasic with no arguments launches the full-screen editor:

$ ./gwbasic
GW-BASIC 2026 0.10.0
(C) Eremey Valetov 2026. MIT License.
Based on Microsoft GW-BASIC assembly source.
Ok
PRINT 2+2
 4
Ok
FOR I=1 TO 5:PRINT I;:NEXT
 1  2  3  4  5
Ok

Use arrow keys to move the cursor freely. Press Enter on any screen line to re-enter it. F1-F10 insert common commands (F2 runs the program).

Running a Program File

./gwbasic tests/programs/prime_sieve.bas

Piped Input

echo '10 FOR I=1 TO 10:PRINT I*I;:NEXT' | ./gwbasic

Direct Mode Expressions

Type expressions and statements at the Ok prompt:

PRINT SIN(3.14159/2)
 1
A$="HELLO WORLD":MID$(A$,7,5)="BASIC":PRINT A$
HELLO BASIC

Command-Line Options

Usage: gwbasic [options] [file.bas]
Options:
  -f, --full         Use full terminal size (default: 25x80)
  -h, --help         Show this help
  --lpt DEVICE|FILE  Printer output destination (default: LPT1.TXT)
                     Use LPT1 or /dev/lp0 for real hardware
  -v, --version      Show version

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