Article-I.D.: sdchema.536
Posted: Mon May  9 19:31:02 1983
Received: Fri May 13 20:34:34 1983
References: sri-arpa.1302

Relay-Version:version B 3/9/83; site harpo.UUCP
Message-ID:<536@sdchema.UUCP>
Date:Mon, 9-May-83 19:31:02 EDT

This is a BASIC compiler from PSS (Personal Software Systems) in England.
They also make Quicksave, you may have heard of that.  Anyway, the compiler
is about $20 from various outlets, including 'Sinclair Place'.
The ads claim that Mcoder handles '99.9% of all BASIC.'  Well, that is
obviously not quite true, but, unfortunately, it isn't even close.

It comes on a tape and takes about 3 minutes (?) to load.  Instructions
are included, but they are pretty sparse.  The compiler, which is all
machine code, is lines 0-3 of every program.  It is summoned by using
'LET L=USR xxxxx', with xxxxx being different for various functions.

After having studied the directions for several hours (that's the only
way you can learn to use it, there's no step-by-step) you type in
your program in BASIC in lines 5 and up.  You compile your program,
after having finished and debugged it, by using a LET L=USR... command.
It compiles quite fast, about as fast as it would take to list the program
using 2K...maybe faster.  If you want to save the program, compiled or not,
you have to save the compiler along with it.  This is a very cumbersome
requirement.
Here are the Keywords/Functions you are NOT allowed to use:

AND	ACS	ASN	ATN	CLEAR	CODE	CONT	COS	EXP
INPUT	LEN	LN	LPRINT	NOT	OR	PI	RUN	SAVE
SGN	SIN	SQR	STEP	STR$	TAB	TAN	VAL

As you can see, the normally impressive mathematical capabilities are,
one might say, shot to h---.
Some commands are not allowed, but can be substituted with 'USR x', etc:
COPY	INKEY (must be used as 'CODE INKEY$=xx')	NEW

Another problem with the math: calculations cannot be performed on the
same line as another command.  I.e., one cannot say 'PRINT X+4'.  Rather,
it must be: 	LET X=X+4
		PRINT X
Also note that AND and OR cannot be used in IF statements.  Hmm...
Variables can only be a single letter.  Also, only one array is allowed...
'Z'.
The last line in the program must always be 'STOP'; you will ALWAYS forget
this.
One good feature:  one can load in BASIC programs, as long as they do not
contain lines 1-4, after having loaded Mcoder, and compile them.


Bob Berch sells another BASIC compiler for, I believe, a little more.
However, if his ad holds true, it is far better than Mcoder (his ad
is more descriptive).  If anyone wants his adress, contact me thru
the net.

			Will Doolittle 		U.C. San Diego