ZX software - A BASIC Word Processor for ZX Spectrum

Word Processor

This program is somewhat better than the previous one (see ZX Revija issue 2) and is written in BASIC. This text processor can hold up to 1,000 lines of 32 characters each.

After loading, the main menu appears, with the following options:

• 0 — EXIT: Return to BASIC.
• 1 — HELP: Display the help list.
• 2 — CLEAR MACHINE FOR NEW TEXT: Clear the computer's memory and prepare for a new text.
• 3 — EDIT TEXT: Enter the text processor's editor.
• 4 — PRINT TEXT: Print the text on a ZX printer or a printer that uses a print buffer (starting at 23296). Printing can be interrupted by pressing any key.
• 5 — LOAD TEXT: Load text from tape.
• 6 — SAVE TEXT: Save text to tape.

Editor commands begin with an inverse SPACE character, which is obtained in EXTEND MODE. This may cause problems if you use characters entered in that mode.

The exception is the character on the PRINT key, which has been redefined as the AT command. You can get it with SYMBOL SHIFT+.

Be careful! Every editor command must be at the beginning of a line and must start with the inverse SPACE character:

• T — Scroll the text up.
• B — Scroll the text down.
• Gx — Move the current line to position x (x > 1 and x < 1000).
• Mx — Move the marker to line x.
• D — Delete the text between the marker and the current line.
• L — List the entire text on the screen.
• I — Turn INSERT mode on.
• C — Turn INSERT mode off.
• E — Return to the main menu.

While the program is running, you can always copy (COPY) the contents of the screen to a printer.

Direct commands

• CAPS SHIFT+1 — Delete the current line.
• CAPS SHIFT+2 — Turn CAPS mode (uppercase letters) on.
• CAPS SHIFT+3 — Turn CAPS mode off.
• CAPS SHIFT+4 — COPY to printer.
• CAPS SHIFT+5 — Move the cursor left.
• CAPS SHIFT+6 — Scroll the current line down.
• CAPS SHIFT+7 — Scroll the current line up.
• CAPS SHIFT+8 — Move the cursor right.
• CAPS SHIFT+9 — Insert a character (INSERT).
• CAPS SHIFT+0 — Delete a character (DELETE).

At the bottom of the screen, you can see the current line number (LINE=XX) and the line number where the marker is placed (MARKER=XX).

The current line is displayed above the information line.

If the number of text lines exceeds 1,000, the message ARRAY FULL appears. This means that memory is full. Pressing any key returns you to the main menu. The text has not been lost; there is simply no room for more than 1,000 lines.

Finally, we don't want to spoil things for users of these text processors, but read the next instalment (in ZX Revija issue 4) — you won't regret it, especially if you have a quality printer.