Targets supported by ugBASIC

Commodore 128 (using MOS 8502) (c128)

The c128 target has been supported by ugBASIC since version 1.11. The compiler can produce executable files in "prg" format and entire "d64" disks, including files that can be loaded using the language's primitives.



How to start

You can use the SANDBOX to try the ugBASIC compiler, without download anything. This tool has been designed to quickly test whether the code you are writing compiles correctly and determines the desired results.

Since the source is compiled thanks to dedicated servers, separate from the browser you are using, some commands are not available: for example, you cannot load external files or resources by using the LOAD command.

If you need to develop a program with a complete tool, we recommend installing the command line executables (see below) or UGBASIC-IDE.

To write the source code you can use a simply text editor. You can save the program in a text file and then to call the compiler, in order to convert it into an form that your Commodore 128 (MOS 8502) will be able to execute.


Otherwise you can download and use command line compilers. Here are the direct links to the compilers for the various operating systems. Select the most suitable one for your configuration:

In addition to compiling with the IDE, if you are using Linux or the command line version for Microsoft Windows, you can compile the BASIC source "source.bas" into an executable file using the following command:

ugbc.c128 -o executable.prg -O prg source.bas
ugbc.c128 -o disk.d64 -O d64 source.bas

It is therefore possible to run everything with an emulator, such as VICE , or to create a phisical storage, as well.

A good starting point to learn ugBASIC for the c128 platform is the examples page. The examples provide insight into the syntax and usage of many of the commands and statements available for the language.

Since ugBASIC is an isomorphic language, which does not provide abstractions, it is possible that not all examples work on all targets: those labeled c128 can be compiled to generate executable files.

If you need help and support, the best place is the official forum, where you can find answers to your questions and receive help.

Games written for Commodore 128 with MOS 8502 (more...)



HANGWORD!

Hangword! is the electronic version of a guessing game for one player. The computer chooses a word and the player tries to guess it by suggesting letters within seven (7) guesses. The game contains a vocabulary of 2.048 English words.
Italian version available.


SOKO64+

Sokoban (Japanese: 倉庫番 or "warehouse keeper") is a puzzle-type video game in which the player pushes crates through a maze and tries to place them in their assigned location.


PICK THE STAR (10 liner)

This game is a multitasking arcade game for one player. The player must pick mostly the stars that descend from the top of the screen, because they give to the player the higher score. This game joins the "BASIC10Liner" competition 2023


TIC-TAC-TOE (10 liner)

This game is a traditional paper-and-pencil game for two players who take turns marking the spaces in a three-by-three grid with X or O. This game joins the "BASIC10Liner" competition 2023


4GRAVITY!

This game is a "Connect Four" clone. The objective of the game is to be the first to form a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line of four of one's own tokens.

Examples for Commodore 128 with MOS 8502 (more...)


ASSEMBLY INTEGRATION

BASIC COMMANDS















VIDEOGAME ISPIRED


Plotting and graphic modes


The ugBASIC language provides access to all documented graphics modes of the VIC-II chipset, that can be selected using the SCREEN # command, and used with graphics primitives. This is the value of the various constants in the various versions:

MODEDESCRIPTIONWIDTHxHEIGHTxCOLORS
0Standard Character Mode40x25x16
1Multicolor Character Mode40x25x32
2Standard Bitmap Mode320x200x2
3Multicolor Bitmap Mode160x200x4
4Extended Multicolor Character Mode40x25x20

Blitting images


Blitting operations are supported.

Calling and inlining assembly code

With the c128 target you can include assembly code for the MOS 6502 processor. The code will be placed within the code bank.

Supported video standard

The ugBASIC compiler supports both the Commodore 128 PAL (working frequency: 50 Hz) and NTSC (working frequency: 60 Hz) versions, and automatically detects the working frequency to calibrate the delays. In particular, it defines two constants with the same name, and initializes the constant TICKS PER SECOND.

This is the value of the various constants in the various versions:

VERSIONENTSCPALTICKS PER SECOND
C128 PAL0 (FALSE)-1 (TRUE)50
C128D PAL0 (FALSE)-1 (TRUE)50
C128DR PAL0 (FALSE)-1 (TRUE)50
C128 NTSC-1 (TRUE)0 (FALSE)60
C128D NTSC-1 (TRUE)0 (FALSE)60
C128DR NTSC-1 (TRUE)0 (FALSE)60

Audio support

The c128 target supports audio commands, as described on the documentation page.

Table of notes and frequencies (PAL version)

C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B
0

Joystick and keyboard support

The ugBASIC language supports up to 2 joysticks, using the JOY(n) statement, and the keyboard.