Sinclair ZX80 / ZX81 Forums

[XavSnap]

... Save zx81's memory ... it'had only 16kb...

If you had to code a big basic program, you had preserve all bytes you can.

In basic,

For example:
10 goto 1

This line Take
4 bytes : used by the line Header,
+ 1 byte : for the goto command.
+ 1 byte : for the numeric string : "1"
+ 5 bytes : use by the system to decode the numeric value.
= 11 bytes. (i don't add the <end of line> tag (128/76h)!)

To improve you code, you had to avoid numerics encoding.
Like this
10 goto PI/PI
4 : header (can't be changed : 2bytes for the line number, 2bytes for the line lenght.)
+ 1byte : for goto command.
+ 1byte : PI
+ 1byte : /
+ 1byte : PI
= 8 bytes. (3bytes saved!)

Now, If you use a constant:
5 LET I=PI/PI
10 goto I
4 : header (can't be changed : 2bytes for the line number, 2bytes for the line lenght.)
+ 1byte : for goto command.
+ 1byte : I
= 6 bytes. (5bytes saved! in the Goto line)

Constants examples:

A=0 =PI-PI
B=1 =PI/PI
C=2 =B+B
D=3 =C+B or int PI
E=4 =C*C

In case of numbers between 0 and 255,
you can use the "code" function, but most of chars values can't be typed on the keyboard!
67 to 127, and 230 to 255! (you had to have a "K" cursor in Basic!)

Juste type:
10 goto val"67"

In case of "1000" or "2000", you can use the exponant tag!
10 goto val"1E3" or val"2E3"

You can use the PEEK function in the rom PEEK PI=255 or PEEK+constant...

You can also save memory if you type a single line...

10 IF A>0 then PRINT"MORE" (16bytes+5bytes numerics)
20 IF A=0 then PRINT"EQUAL" (17bytes+5bytes numerics)+header*4+EOL*1
30 IF A<0 then PRINT"LESS" (16bytes+5bytes numerics) +header*4+EOL*1
= 64 bytes+8*header+2*EOL.
=> 74 bytes.

10 PRINT "MORE" AND A>0;"LESS" AND A<0;"EQUAL" AND A=0 (34bytes+3*5bytes numerics)
= 49 bytes.
**** 25 bytes saved ****

if, O=PI-PI
10 PRINT "MORE" AND A>O;"LESS" AND A<O;"EQUAL" AND A=O (34bytes)
=34Bytes.
**** 40 bytes saved ****
Juste for 1 line!

You can alsa try to use the XuR Basic optimizer, but it's hard to change you program with "CODE" funtions...
Your program must be finished to use it!

[siggi]

AFAIK there is a "cruncher" program, which does some of these optimations.

Siggi

[Factor6]

Hi, these tricks are surely perfect, but when typing a prog on 1K machine you have to use regular numbers to get some memory for editing the prog. Also, using these tricks rapidly slows down the program's run. If typing something time depending (loops making screen effects or animations) it's better to use normal numbers.

F6