Targets supported by ugBASIC

MSX1 (msx1)

The msx1 target has been supported by ugBASIC since version 1.8. The compiler can produce executable files in "rom" format or as "dsk" image files.

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 MSX 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.msx1 -o executable.rom -O rom source.bas
ugbc.msx1 -o executable.dsk -O dsk source.bas

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

A good starting point to learn ugBASIC for the msx1 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 msx1 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 MSX (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 MSX (more...)


ASSEMBLY INTEGRATION

BASIC COMMANDS















USER-DEFINED PROCEDURES

Click here to see more examples...

VIDEOGAME ISPIRED


Plotting and graphic modes


The ugBASIC language provides access to all documented graphics modes of the TMS 9918 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
0Text Mode40x24x20
1Graphic I32x24x16
2Graphic II256x192x16
3Multicolor256x192x16

Blitting images


Blitting operations are supported.

Calling and inlining assembly code

With the msx1 target you can include assembly code for the Zilog Z80 processor. The code will be placed within the code bank.

Supported video standard

The ugBASIC compiler supports both the MSX 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
MSX PAL0 (FALSE)-1 (TRUE)50
MSX NTSC-1 (TRUE)0 (FALSE)60

Audio support

The msx1 target supports audio commands, as described on the documentation page.

Table of notes and frequencies

C C# D D# E F F# G G# A A# B
0 181818181818181818181818
1181818181818181818192122
2232426293133343739414346
35255586165697377829298103
4110116123130138146164174184195207219
5232246260292309328347369391414439465
65215535846196586947357818289269841042
7110611681238131613891471164517611866195320832193
823582500260429763125328934723676390641674464

Joystick and keyboard support

The ugBASIC language supports up to 2 joysticks, using the JOY(n) statement, and the keyboard. The left joystick is in port 0, while right joystick in port 1.