AMSTRAD CPC464 User manual

CPC464
COLOUR
PERSONAL
COMPUTER
64K
Using this user guide
Computing has come a long way in a very short space of time; Of all the
technological advances in the twentieth century, computing is easily the most
startling.
Features of computer hardware and software have advanced far more rapidly than
even existing users are able to follow, and to attempt to show owners of the CPC464
all the available power and subtlety of its BASIC, operating system and hardware
attributes wou_d require several thousands of pages.
Thus this guide is a concise introduction to the CPC464 and its software. It will be
supplemented by many more specific and detailed instruction courses and
publications.
Users familiar with other dialects of BASIC will become familiar with the
framework of AMSTRAD BASIC very quickly - and newcomers will quickly
appreciate the direct and unambiguous nature of the terminology used - it has been
specifically devised and written to avoid the idiosyncracies found in many
non-standard interpretations of BASIC, as well as introducing several
fundamental ‘real time’ features not previously available in a low cost computer,
The user guide is divided into three sections.
The first is the beginners Foundation Course, written specifically to introduce
computing concepts and terminology to the novice. If you have not previously owned
or used a personal computer to the point at which you have written a small program
of your own, then we advise that you work through the Foundation Course.
Those of you with previous experience should enter at Chapter 1. We have
reiterated a number of essential items concerning setting up and familiarisation,
but have concentrated on introducing the specific features of the CPC464 system,
and made some assumptions about your familiarity with the terminology.

Each of the ‘Primer’ chapters has been written to provide a broad guide to the many
exciting features of tge CPC464. Some fundamental points are repeated fir
emphasis -
and because many users will want to dive straight into sound and
graphics after the briefest possible introduction to the keyboard and more
methodical aspects of learning BASIC.
AMSTRAD’s ‘Guide to BASIC’ training course is intended to provide a thorough
and extensively illustrated approach to understanding the many facets of your
CPC464 and its boundless potential as a combination of tutor, games console and
‘pure’ computer, and we strongly advise that if you want to learn in a thorough
manner, then you invest in a copy - ifyou have not already done so!
Finally, an extensive Appendix section provides a broad overview of computing
concepts, as well as the machine-specific points of reference.
We wish you every success - you could have not have chosen finer value for money,
nor a cbmputer with a greater potential for developing your understanding of all
aspects of the subject. There is no finer way of finding out about computing than by
using a computer - and the CPC464 is particularly ‘user friendly’.
AMSOFT
A division of
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS PLC
0 Copyright 1984 AMSOFT, AMSTRAD Consumer Electronics plc and Locomotive Software Limited
Neither the whole or any part of the information contained herein, or the product described in this
manual may be adapted or reproduced in any material form except with the prior written approval of
AMSTRAD Consumer Electronics plc (‘AMSTRAD’).
The product described in this manual and products for use with it are subject to continuous development and
improvement. All information of a technical nature and particulars of the product and its use (including the
information and particulars in this manual are given by AMSTRAD in good faith. However, it is acknowledged that
there may be errors or omis$ons in this manual. A list of details of any amendments or revisions to this manual can be
obtained by sending a stamped, self addressed envelope to AMSOFT Technical Enquiries. We ask that all users take
care to submit their reply paid user registration and guarantee cards.
AMSOFT welcome comments and suggestions relating to the product or this manual.
All correspondance should be be addressed to:
AMSOFT
169 Kings Road
Brentwood
Essex CM14 4EF
All maintenance and service on the product must be carried out by AMSOFT authorised dealers. Neither
AMSOFT nor AMSTRAD can accept any liability whatsoever for any loss or damage caused by service or
maintenance by unauthorised personnel. This guide is intended only to assist the reader in the use of the
product, and therefore AMSOFT and AMSTRAD shall not be liable for any loss or damage
whatsoever arising from the use of any information or particulars in, or any error or omission in, this
guide or any incorrect use of the product.
Within this manual, the reference 280 is used with acknowledgement to Zilog Inc.
First Published 19&1
-Second Edition Autumn 1964
Published by AMSTRAD
Compiled by W. Peel, R. Perry, I. Spital, Rd. Watkins
Typeset by AMSOFl’ Computer Graphics
AMSTRAD is a registered trademark of AMSTRAD Consumer Electronics plc. Unauthorized use of the trademark or
word AMSTRAD is strictly forbidden.

IMPORTANT
When reading this user guide, you should watch out for the different type styles
that indicate the different ways in which references are made to programs, [KEYS]
which are present on the computer, but which do not result in a printed character on
the screen, and (general descriptions) which are associated with the programming
words, but are not to be typed in as part of the instruction.
1. Always connect the Mains Lead to a 3 pin Plug following the instructions
contained in the first section entitled ‘Setting Up’.
2. Never connect the computer keyboard, monitor or power supply/modulator to
any piece of equipment or source of power supply other than that described in this
guide. Failure to comply with this will result in serious damage, and invalidate the
guarantee.
3. Keep flower vases, drinks, etc. well away from the computer keyboard, monitor
or power supply/ modulator. If liquid is spilt into any of these units, serious damage
will result. Under such circumstances, consult qualified personnel.
4. Do not block or cover the ventilation slots on the top or back of the computer
keyboard, monitor, or power supply/modulator.
5. Turning off the power will lose all that is stored in the CPC464 memory. If you
wish to save a program, read Chapter 2 after having first completed the ‘Foundation
Course’.
6. It is recommended that you use cassettes specifically designed for use with
computers. However, it is perfectly acceptable to use good quality audio-type
cassettes made by leading manufacturers, providing that they are not Cr02 or
‘metal’ tape, and are no longer than 90 minutes (C-90).
To enable you to locate programs recorded on the tape more easily, we suggest that
you use C-12 cassettes (6 minutes per side.)
7. Note that cassettes containing programs from other types of computer cannot be
run or loaded on the CPC464.
8. If the cassette you are using has had the safety tabs removed to prevent
accidental erasure of programs then the record button will not depress. Please do
not use force on this button, otherwise the mechanism may be damaged. If you wish
to re-record on a cassette where the safety tabs on the back of the cassette have been
removed, this may be achieved by covering the holes on the back of the cassette with
adhesive tape.
9. Remember to ensure that the tape in the cassette is wound beyond the first
section (leader tape) before you start to save a program.
10. Take special care not to use or store any of the units in direct sunlight, in
excessively hot, cold, damp or dusty areas, or places subject to any heavy vibration.
Never store program cassettes near any magnetic fields, such as those that occur in
loudspeakers or large electric motors.
11. General care of your cassettes and regular cleaning of your datacorder
mechanism should lead to error free storage and retrieval of programs.
12. There are no user-serviceable parts inside the units. Do llot attempt to gain
access into the equipment. Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
13. Neither the whole or any part of the information contained herein, nor the
programs or products described in this manual may be adapted or reproduced in any
material form.

About this User Guide
Beginners’ Foundation Course
A gen tie introduction forfor the newcomer to computing
Fl Setting Up
F2 Keyboard familiarisation
F3 Graphics, modes and sound
1 Starters
Connecting up the computer
Switching on
Keyboard primer
Displaying the character set
Editing the display
2 Cassette Datacorder
Loading and saving with the cassette Datacorder
The ‘Welcome’ cassette tape
3 BASIC primer
An introduction to the principles of CPC464 BASIC
Syntax of AMSTRAD BASIC
Variables, operators
Simple BASIC exercises
User defined keys
PRINT and display formatting
4
Variables, operators and data
Display formatting
Data and arrays
Dimensioning
Locate
5 Graphics primer
The principles of AMSTRAD CPC464 colour graphics:
INK, PEN, PAPER
MODES, PIXELS, ORIGINS, WINDOWS
Simple graphic handling routines
User defined characters
CONTENTS

6 Sound primer
The scope of the CPC464’s sound
Tone and Volume Envelopes
Sound queues
Effects
7 Printers and joysticks
Using joysticks
The JOY command
Connecting a parallel printer
8 Concise reference guide to AMSTRAD BASIC
A concise summary of the BASIC language and keywords used
for programming the CPC464, listed in alphabetical order
9 Further programming information
The internal organisation of programs - firmware
Interrupts and their significance
Control characters
The relationship between the machine code subroutines and the
high level BASIC commands
10 Interrupt features
The real time features
AFTER,EVERYandREMAINAFTER,EVERYandREMAIN
Appendices
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
A newcomers’ guide to what you can and can’t expect a computer to do
Glossary of computing terms
Bits and bytes - binary and hexadecimal tutorial
ASCII codes and the character set
Character definitions and grids
Keyboard codes, expansion tokens
Experienced users’ introduction and overview
The user interface and expansion bus
The input/ output connections
Text screen planners and organisers
Musical planner
Notes and Tone Periods
VIII Reserved words, and ERROR codes and messages
CONTENTS
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