Classic Computer Magazine Archive ANTIC VOL. 4, NO. 7 / NOVEMBER 1985

TYPO II DOUBLE FEATURE


A double feature! Two updated enhancements of the TYPO II program typing checker combining the best ideas contributed by Antic readers. Both BASIC programs will run on all Atari 8-bit computers of any memory size with disk or cassette. Antic still recommends that newcomers to TYPO II start by typing in and using the simpler original program in this issue's Software Library.

I: Super duper TYPO II 'per

by JACK POWELL

If you are new to Antic, TYPO II is a program that finds the exact lines where you made mistakes while typing in BASIC listings from the magazine. You'll see it in each issue, along with instructions, on the third page of the monthly software Library section.

When Antic was preparing to premiere TYPO II in the January, 1985 issue, we spent a great deal of time making the program as simple as possible for beginners. Evidently we succeeded, because Antic now gets a lot less letters from readers having trouble typing in the printed programs.

At the same time, Antic has encouraged advanced programmers to customize TYPO II for their own needs.

Turbo TYPO II (June, 1985) made the program a lot speedier with David McLaughlin's machine language string. In the May, 1985 I/O Board, Patrick Dell'Era added the convenience of automatic line numbering and inverse video TYPO II codes for easier reading. In the April, 1985 I/O Board, Ted Solomon added a subroutine that makes TYPO II delete itself.

And now, we've put the whole shebang together into one customized listing called Super Duper TYPO II 'Per (S.D.T.2.P.)

HOW IT WORKS

There are some special Atari characters in S.D.T.2.P., so type it in carefully and be sure you SAVE a copy before you RUN it. You can't check it with TYPO II. But you can check it with itself--after you type it in. Again, if this is your first time with TYPO II, we recommend you get some practice with the shorter, easier version in this issue's Software Library.

Except for being faster, S.D.T.2.P. works pretty much the same as the original TYPO II. Just type GOTO 32000, then answer the prompt by typing in a program line and pressing [RETURN]. The line will reappear at the bottom of the screen with the two-letter TYPO II code in inverse video at the left of the line number.

As with TYPO II, you may press [RETURN] to bring the line back into the editing area, and you may bring up any line by typing an asterisk [*] followed by the line number. But unlike TYPO II, you can also automatically step through the lines you've typed in.

Let's say you want to check S.D.T.2.P. itself. At the prompt, type *32000 to bring line 32000 into the edit area. Press [RETURN] to generate the code for that line. And now, press the plus key [+] followed by [RETURN]. The next program line will automatically appear in the edit window, disappear, then reappear below with its code. Continue to press [+] to go through the entire listing.

ERASER HEAD

You've finished typing in your program, and you want to SAVE it without S.D.T.P. Just type ERASE and S.D.T.2.P. will erase itself from memory leaving only the program you typed in. Alternatively, if you've already pressed [BREAK], you can type GOTO 32250 and accomplish the same thing.

II: TYPO II code generator

By ANDY BARTON

I's nice to have the line-by-line checkup codes of TYPO II. But it's not always so nice when you need to look up at the screen after each line and check the code.

Especially when you're a fairly experienced programmer, there's a temptation to assume you got the easy lines right and to continue typing ahead without glancing up. Or perhaps your late-night blurry vision may misread an incorrect code. And then when the program crashes, you're stuck with TYPO II's tedious "*line no." option to recheck all the codes.

So for those who like the old way better, here is TYPO II Code Generator. It works much like the original TYPO program. It calculates and prints out all the TYPO II codes and matching line numbers for any program you have LISTed to disk or cassette.

USING THE PROGRAM

Type in TYPO II Code Generator, check it with TYPO II (or S.D.T.2.P.) and SAVE it on disk or cassette. Note: B$ in line 55 is the same as B$ in S.D.T.2.P.

When you RUN the program, it will prompt you to "Choose a file [D:filename]." Type in the device (D:) and filename of a LISTed BASIC program (cassette users, type C:). Then press [RETURN].

Newcomers: a LISTed program is created by using the BASIC command LIST instead of SAVE when storing a program on disk or cassette. The form is: LIST "D:FILENAME" (or LIST "C:").

The filename you give TYPO II Code Generator can be a complete BASIC program or just a portion of one. You may wish to check just a few lines. No problem.

If you're not sure of the file's name, or if you typed an incorrect name, disk owners will be presented with a file directory after pressing [RETURN].

OUTPUT CHOICE

TYPO II Code Generator will now give you a choice of four output devices: Screen, Printer, Disk, or Cassette.

If you choose [S], the codes and line numbers will scroll across you screen. Press [CONTROL] [1] to stop the scroll and [CONTROL] [1] again to continue.

Choosr [P] to send the codes directly to your printer.

The [D] choice will write the codes to a disk file much as they look on th screen.

You will be prompted for a device and filename. If you don't give your file an extender, TYPO II CODE GENERATOR will supply it with .TYP.

If you select [C] to send your codes to a cassette tape, be sure your machine is set to RECORD.

Listing 1: SDT2P.LST Download / View

Listing 2: TYPOIICG.BAS Download