Commodore 16 User manual

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COMMODORE 16
USER MANUAL

Copyloitl (C» '964 by Commodore Electronics Limited
All rights 'eservec
Tils manua eorfaino copv'lQhtea and proprietory into'matton
No pm! ol lite imliicaiion T\ay be reproduced stored in a
reHleval system, or transmitted in any torm 01 by ary means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopytnp,, roco'dmg 01 otherwise,
without the prior written permission of Commodore
0ectn)nM3 UmllM
Commodore BASIC v35
Copyflhl (c) 1984 by Commodore Electron.cs Umtiod
a" iIgnis reserved
Copyr-gfii (c; 1977 by Microsoft, aJI lights rese'ved
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1Selling Up 5
CHAPTER 2The Keyboard 17
CHAPTERS Software 29
CHAPTER 4The First Steps 41
CHAPTER 5Numbers and Calculations 53
CHAPTER 6Graphics and Colour. ..... 63
CHAPTER 7 Sound and Music B3
BASIC 3.5 ENCYCLOPEDIA 93
Commands .gg
Statements 109
Fjnctlons 143
Variables and Operators ... 152
Abbreviation and Reference Chan 157
APPENDICES .161
Error Messages 162
Disk Error Messages .166
Deriving Matnamatlcai Functions 172
Musical Note Table 173
Screen Display Codes ,... .178
ASCII and CHRS Codes 178
Booklist tag
INDEX ....... 1IB'

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CHAPTER 1
SETTING
UP
Unpacking your Commodore 1
6
Getting to know the switches and sockets
Setting up your Commodore 16
Troubleshooting chart
•Peripherals
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UNPACKING YOUR COMMODORE 16
Now ihat you've opened lie box containing your new Commodore 1
6
and found this manual, the hrsl ihing lhat you should do is check to
make sure that you have all the Items on this list. You should have (
1Your Commodore 1
6
2The power supply
3The TV cable
A. The user manual (You've probably tound this, since
you're reading il rlgnt now.)
5. Olher assorted literature:
Warranty card
It you don't find ail these items in the box. check with your dealer
immediately for replacements.
Betore you connect anything, you should overtook these pictures of
your computer. You can familiarize yourself with all trie outlets ana
switches, so you can set up your computer system quickly and easily
I
GETTING TO KNOW THE SWITCHES AND SOCKETS
The Right Side Of Your Commodore 16
THE ON/OFF SWITCH
Your Commodore 16should be turned OFF when you install or remove
cartridges or any peripheral device such as aprinter or Datassette.
There is ared power light located above the keyboard on the right,
which lights up when power is on.
THE JOYSTICK SOCKETS
You can plug joysticks Into these sockets, labelled JOY *1 and JOY
02. The Commooore 16 uses specially designed joysticks available
Irom your Commodore dealer.
THE RESET BUTTON
Press the reset button when you want lo '*start over." as if you'd just
turned your computer on The reset button clears the screen and erases
any BASIC programs that were typed m. There are other ways lo reset
your computer without erasing programs. These will be discussed in
Chapter 4.
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THE POWER SOCKET
The end ol the power supply cable Ills in here Plug the other end into a
standard electrical wall socket AFTER connecting the first end into your
computer.
The Back Of Your Computer
THE MEMORY EXPANSION PORT
Commodore 16 software cartridges plug in here. Before you insert or
remove cartridges, make sure the power is OFF
THE RF JACK
This is where you plug in one end of the TV cable (the thin black cable).
Only one end fits into this lack; the other end fits Into the TV serial
socket.
THE HIGH/LOW SWITCH
This switch controls which television channel your Commodore 16is
on. This is primarily used for American TVs.
8
THE VIDEO SOCKET
This Is where you plug in Ihe cable thai connects amonitor to your
Commodore 16. If you hook up your computer to atelevision set. you
won't need to use this.
THE SERIAL SOCKET
You can plug adisk drive or aprinter info this socket. If you want to
plug in both, first plug the disk drive into this opening, and then plug the
printer cable into the back of the disk drive.
THE CASSETTE PORT
The Commodore 1531 Datassette tape recorder for cassette tape
software plugs In here.
SETTING UP FOR COMMODORE 16
Connecting your Commodore 16is simple. You only need to do
two things:
1Plug in Ihe POWER SUPPLY on the right side of your computer and
then into await plug.
2Connect Ihe TV cable (Ihe thin black one) from Ihe aerial socket on
your TV to Ihe RF SOCKET on the back ol your computer
.
Make sure that you have enough eiectncal wall outlets to plug
everything in near where you decide to set up your computer. You may
need apower strip or extension cord for more outlets, especially If
you're also hooking up aprinter or adisk drive. Remember that the
power on everything (computer, TV, etc.) should be turned OFF until
you are completely set up and ready lo go.
1: Connecting The Power Supply
•FIRST plug Ihe round end of the POWER SUPPLY into the power
jack on me right side ol your computer.
•THEN plug Ihe other end into an electrical socket on the wall.
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2: Plugging In The TV Cable
•Plug ore end of the TV cable (only one will fit) mlo Ihe serial socket
on your TV
•P'ug Ihe other end or me cable Into the RF fack on the back of your
computer
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Connecting Your Commodore 16 To AMonitor
If you're connecting your computer to amonitor Instead ot aTV, follow
the instructions mIhe manual that is included with the monitor. Hooking
up amonitor tike the Commodore 1702 Colour Monitor is simple. You
need to connect only one cable which goes directly from your monitor
to the VIDEO socket on Ihe back of your compuler
Finally . . .
Now it's time lo turn on your compuler (If you've been paying attention,
you should know where the POWER switch is by now.)
It all wen| well, the red POWER light goes on, and this message
appears on your screen
COMMODORE BASIC V3 512277 BYTES FREE
READY.
The flashing cursor unoer ihe READY message tells you that your
Commodo'e 16is wailing lor you lo start typing The background
colour is white, while Ihe letters are printed In black, with alight purple
border around the screen
If all didn't go well, the Troubleshooting Cnarl should come mhandy
TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
Symptom Cause Remedy
Indicator light nol
ON'
Computer not turned Make sure power switch is
ON
Power cable not
plugged in
Power supply not
plugged in
in ON posilion
Check power socket tor
loose or disconnected
power cable
Check connection with wall
outlet
Bad fuse mcomputer Take system lo authorised
dealer for replacement of
fuse
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Symptom Cause Remedy
No picture TV cable nol
plugged In
TV nol on
Check TV cable connection
Turn TV on
Jom patlern on Cartridge nol
TV with cartridge properly inserted
in place
Picture without Poorly tuned TV
colour
TV nol connected
property
Colour sei too low
on TV or computer
Reinsert cartridge after
turning OFF powet
Retime TV
Cneck connections
Adjust colour setting
Picture OK, but no TV volume loo low
sound
Poorly tuned TV
Adjust volume ol TV
Retune TV
IMPORTANT: Some TV sets cannot display me entire Commodore
16screen. Instead, their picture cuts oil the lar left and lar right
column o( the screen. We recommend using adifferent TV set or a
monitor such as the Commodore 1702, 1802 or t803 colour
monitor
It this isn't possible, you can deal with the problem by pressing the
ESC key, followed by the R' key. This reduces the computer screen
display size lo 38 columns, so thai the entire picture can III
onscreen. You must repeat this each time you power up or reset
your computer
PERIPHERALS
Peripherals are Ihe accessories that you can get to go with your
Commodore 16 that increase what you can do with your computer
These accessories are available al your Commodore dealer, and allow
you to use your computer lo the fullest.
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Peripherals give you the capability to save and store data, print out
what appears onscreen (in black and white or colour), use software
programs that are stored on cassette tape and tioppy diskelte. and give
you asharp, clear picture of your computer's display.
To save or recall programs, you'll need adevice lhai stores data
can be recorded on and retrieved from both cassette tapes and
diskettes. To use cassette tape software (and to record your own
programs on cassettes), you'll need the Commodore 1531.
Ilata
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DATASSETTE lape recorder For diskettes, Ihere are several DISK
DRIVES that are suitable. Disk drives are typically fast and efficient lo
use Disk drives that are compatible with your Commodore 16are the
Commodore models 1541 and 1551
Your television set may not give you as clear apicture as you'd like for
your computer Commodore colour monitors are specially designed lo
give you the sharpest, brightest picture for viewing your Commodore
16output There are several models available. Including the
Commodore 1702, 1802 and 1803.
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When us»ng awordprocesslng program or agraphics package on your
Commodore 16. aprinter will reproduce what is on the screen on
paper Tnere are several models of Commodore printers available that
work with your computer These include the MPS-801 ,MPS-802, MPS-
803 (with optional tractor-teed), and DPS-1 101 (letter quality)
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CHAPTER 2
THE KEYBOARD
•Atour of the keyboard
•Special keys
•Graphic keys
•Function keys
•The HELP key
17

ATOUR OF THE KEYBOARD
Mosl ol the keys on your Commodore 16 keyboard are identical lo Ihe
keys onatypewriter, but each key can do more than atypewriter key
In this section, you'll learn how to use special keys like the <K key and
the four separate cursor keys. This section will show you the extra
features ol every key. including how to use the graphic symbols
pictured on the fronts of many ol me keys With each explanation of
Ihe different keys on your computer keyboard, you should find the keys
ana pracfice using them.
Using Your Keyboard Like aTypewriter
When you ftrsl type letters on your computer, they appear as capitals
on the screen The letters and numbers appear on the screen exactly
as they appear on the face of Ihe key when you press the key by itself.
Also, several olher keys {+. -. ,@. *, and E)may be typed
alone. Most punctuation marks need lo be typed with Ihe shift Key If
you want to do some "regular" typing, you can type in capital and
lowercase letters {like you would on a typewriter) by pressing the
shift key and the O-,ey at the same time. After you do this, all
letter keys typed alone are printed in lowercase. When you press the
start key along with aletter, you get acapital letter. Numbers and
punctuation keys work the same as they would in regular (non-typing)
mode To gel out of typing mode, just press the two keys shift and
C* )together again.
KEY +KEY =
+ A
+A
ENTER OR EXIT TYPING
MODE
=A
-r
SHIFT —Ebb\
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Special Keys
Several keys on your Commodore 16 keyboard behave quite differently
than any well brought-up typewriter key would even think of acting.
These keys act lo enable other keys lo do things they wouldn't
ordinarily do. or perform luncllons related lo Ihe business of computing.
Your Commodore 16keyboard also conlains special symbols not found
on many typewriters, or even on most computers. These special
symbols include me pound sign (£), pi (rr ). greaier and less than
signs (< > >brackets < [ |), and arrows f—t)These special
symbols keys are often used in writing programs on your Commodore
16.
RETURN
You nave lo press Ihe BETtraM key at the end of each line of
instructions you enter on your Commodore 16 keyboard You might
think of this key as an ENTER key because WORK actually enters
information and Instructions into your computer
You've already come across an example of me SHIFT Key in aclion In
using your keyboard like atypewrite That is typical ol the «BWT key
it is always used to modify what other keys print onscreen, but can't do
anything by Itself (Always the bridesmaid, never the bride )The
shift key allows you lo type capita! letters, graphic symbols,
punctuation marks, and afew olher things—with alittle help from
another key You'll be seeing more of Ihe SOFT key's functions
Ihroughout Ihis section, for things such as getting graphic symbols
Tne shift lock key ig the same as the shift key. except lhal ll is
locked into place, so you don't have lo hold it down. When
SHFT LOCK is on, every character you type Is SHIFTED. To release
the lock, |ust press SHIFT lock again, and everything you type is back
to normal
RUN/STOP
Press mis key lo break Into arunning program to STOP what your
Commodore 16Is doing When your computer Is running aprogram,
pressing this key gets you back in control of Ihe keyboard
When you hold down me SHIFT and roh/stop keys simultaneously.
Ihe Commodore 16 loads and runs the first program on adisk in the
disk drive.
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The Cursor Keys
(§@R Iv
The cursor, the (lashing block thai marks where you are on the
computer screen, can be moved quickly and eas>ly around the screen
by using the CURSOR KEYS. There are four separate cursor keys,
each with an arrow pointing out the direction the key moves the cursor
up, down, ielt. or right. You can use the cursor keys lo move the
cursor over anything on the screen without affecting those characters.
Like all keys on the Commodore 16keyboard, each cursor key can
automatically repeal. Ttvs means mat if you continually hold the key
down, the cursor continuously moves In the direction of the key you're
pressing (saving you from having to perform the tabled "rapid-fire key-
press").
INST /DEL
You can INSERT and DELETE letters and numbers from Ihe line you are
typing with thts key. When you press (his key by itsell, the typed
characler immediately to the left of the cursor disappears, and the
cursor moves over to where the missing characler was You can use
the cursor keys to go back to the middle of aline and then use DEL to
erase aletter. When you do this, the letter to the left is deleted, and the
rest of the letters on Ihe line move over one space to the left to close
the gap.
To open up space lo insert letters and numbers, type this key along
with SHOT Space opens to the right of the cursor; the cursor tiself
does not move When you insert space In the middle of aline of letters.
Ihe rest of the line moves lo the right
The ART/DEL «ey saves a lot of time when you want lo edit or change
what you've lyped
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KEY +EFFECT
INST/DEL
SHIFT iKST/DEL
DELETE (ERASE
TYPED
CHARACTERS)
INSERT (ADD
SPACES)
SHIFT
CLEAR HOME
This key serves two primary functions: HOME and CLEAR. When you
press this key alone, the cursor immediately moves to the top left
coiner of the screen (which Is known as the HOME position). The resf
of your screen stays Ihe same. If you hold down the SHOT key and
press clem/home ,not only does Ihe cursor move lo HOME, but
everything on Ihe screen is erased (or cleared). All that remains on the
screen is Ihe blinking cursor at the top left corner of the screen.
KEY EFFECT
CLEAR /ROME
CLEAR-HOME
cnit (Control)
SHIFT HOME POSITION CLEAR SCREEN
SHIFT i-CLEAR
HOME \
The cm key is like the SHOT *oy in that it always works wiih another
key. You must hold it down while you press other keys. CTBL is used
in three instances.
i) As the COLOUR KEYS section explains, pressing CTBL and a
colour key lels you change the colour of the texl printed on Ihe
screen.
2) You can pause aprogram thai is PRINTing or LISTing on Ihe screen
by pressing CTBl and Ihe Skey
(To re-slart the program, press any key except bun/stop )
3) CTBL is also used with reverse on/off and flash on/off
Tnese are explained later In this section
In addition, some software programs that you buy make use of the
CTBL key for their own special functions.
21

(COMMODORE KEY)
The Commodore Key Is very similar lo
perform lour functions;
,and can be used fo
1) When used wllh the shut hey. Ihe Okey lets you got into typing
mode, where you can use both upper- and lowercase letters.
2) The Okey always acts asashift lo let you type the graphic
symbol pictured on the LEFT tronl ot each key. Just hold down <J
and press the graphic key you want
3) The Okey is used like the erst key lo cnange the colour ot whal
you type onscreen when pressed with aCOLOUR KEY.
4) When you want to slow down ascrolling d-splay (a program thai
appears line-by-ilne on the screen but might be going by too fast to
follow), hold down the Okey. The display scrolling speed slows
down considerably When you release (he key, it goes back to
normal speed (Hey. the Jfc key can do something by itselfl)
hvs on fivs OIT (Reverse On/OH)
Your Commodore 16lets you print the reverse image of letters and
numbers. In other words, if your cursor is black and the screen
background is yellow, what you tyoe appears in yellow letters on a
black background.
Here's all you do lo get reversed images. Press the ctbl key and the
ivsoh key E^erythlng you type ;>; now. displayed In revQRMh unM
you press the cm and bts oft the hetuhn key. or the Etc key
and OThis returns you to typing normal (non-reversed) characters
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KEY EFFECT
RVSOK REVERSE PRINTING
ON CTRL -Est \
CTRL HVS QFF -NORMAL PRINTING
CTRL w
-E-OFF \
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FLASH ON FLASH OFF
You can make the characters on your screen flash on and off
continuously, like the cursor Hashes. Press ctbl and the flash oh
key to make whatever you type flash. Typing ctbl and flash off
of RETUmi >i esc ,nd Omakes your typing normal (non-flashing)
again.
KEY -EFFECT
CTBL +FLASH ON CHARACTERS
FLASH
CTRL
CTRL +rUUBOFF
(Escape)
NORMAL DISPLAY
CTRL—
f
1-OFF
The ESC key lets you perform many special screen editing functions,
including functions to set up and manipulate screen windows.
Windowing Is aspecial properly of your Commodore 16. which lots you
set apart an area of Ihe screen that may be used as work space wttnoul
affecting the rest of Ihe screen. The ESC key can perlorm several
window editing functions, as well as many other regular uses, such as
Inserting, deleting, and scrolling All the functions of the ESC key will
be listed and explained when reviewing screen windows in Chapler A.
Colour Keys
The colour keys bear astriking resemblance lo Ihe number keys from 1
to 8. When pressed wllh either the ctbl or the C> key. they change
ihe screen colour of everything you type. Your Commodore 16 starts
oul with awhite background and ablue border, wilh the cursor
23

Hashing black. When you lype anything. Ihe characters appear in
black. To change Ihe cursor {and what you type) to adifferent colour,
use Ihe colour keys On the Ironl ol the keys numbered from ito 8.
there are two colours written Press cm along with anumber key to
get the colour fisted on top. at the Okey with anumber to get the
colour on the bottom You can change only the colour of the
characters using the colour keys. To change the screen background or
border colour, you must use a BASIC command (More on that later.)
NOTE: When changing colours be careful that you do not press the
number (colour) key even asplit second belore pressing cm or
OII you do, all you'll do is print anumber on the screen rather
than change the colour
KEY +EFFECT KEY +
CTHl +1*BLACK +1=ORANGE
crtC +2=WHITE Cf +2-BROWN
CTRL f3=RED
CTHL +1-CYAN
+5=PURPLE
3=YEUOW GREEN
+4=PINK
+5=BLUE GREEN
+6=GREEN C« +6-LIGHT BLUE
CTRL +7=BLUE O+7=DARK BLUE
+8- YELLOW ©+8-LIGHT GREEN
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Graphic Keys
Each letler key (and atew other symbol keys) on your Commodore 1
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has two boxes on the front of the key. each wrth adifferent tine,
squiggle, Of symbol These are the graphic keys. When first turned on,
your Commodore 16prints capital letters. When you type one of these
-•.'v !i.i 'j -villi the SHIFT or ©key. you type the graphic symbols
shown on the front of Ihe key on the screen. You can type the full set
ol more than 60 graphics you see on the fronts of many of the keys
KEY EFFECT
+A-(GRAPHIC ON RIGHT
SIDE OF KEY)
+ A =r(GRAPHIC ON LEFT SIDE
OF KEY)
SHIFT
You can create pictures, charts, and designs by printing graphics side
by side or on top ol each other, like building blocks. You can make
your graphics more interesting by using the colour keys to "draw" In
different colours T-y printing with some ol Ihe graphics keys to see
how they work. Cnapler 6explains more about graphics.
When you're in typing mode, you can only use the graphic symbols on
the left front ol Ihe keys (by pressing &and the appropnate key) The
left side graphics are ideal for creating charts, graphs, and business
forms,
25

Function Keys
£f1
\
f4
f2
\
f5
If3f]
f16
IHELP-1
V,7
Tne lour keys on the righi side ol
your keyboard {apart Itom the
resl ol Ihe keys) are special
function keys ifiat let you save
time by performing repelitlve
(asks with the stroke of jus! one
key. The top of each key reads
fl ,12. t3. and HELP You can
gel these functions by just
pressing the key by itself. The
fronts ol Ihe keys read 14. 15. te
and f? Press shift and f; ,f2.
f3 and HELP, respectively, to gel
Ihese (unctions
Here's what each key does
KEY1
KEY 2
KEY 3
KEY 4
KEY 5
KEY 6
KEY 7
KEYS
enters one of the GRAPHICS modes when you supply Ihe
number ol the grapnlcs area ana press itntmN The
GRAPHICS command is necessary for giving graphics
commands such as CIRCLE or PAINT More on GRAPHICS in
Chapter 6
prints DLOAD" on me screen All you do Is enter the program
name to load aprogram from disk and hfl BETUM instead of
lyptng oul DLOAD" yourself.
lists aDIRECTORY of files on Ihe disk In the disk drive.
clears the screen using Ihe SCNCLR command.
prints DSAVE" on Ihe screen All you do Is enter the program
name to save Ihe current program on disk and press httuum
RUNs the current program
displays aLISTing of the current program.
(Ihe HELP key) highlights errors In program statements In
Hashing prml
You can redefine any ol these keys to perform a(unction mat suils your
needs Redetinlng is easy, using Ihe KEY command. You can redefine
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the keys (rom BASIC programs, or change them al aiy time in direct
mode Asituation where you might want to redefine a(unction key Is
when you use acommand frequently, and want to save time Instead of
repealedly typing in the command. Tne new definitions are erased
when you turn off your computer You can redefine as many keys as
you want and as many times as you want
The Help Key
HELP ji
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When you make an error in aprogram, your computer displays an error
message to tell you whal you did wrong These error messages are
further explained in the Appendices In Ihe back of this manual
You can gel more assistance with errors by using Ihe HELP key Alter
an error message, press HELP lo locale your error exaclly. When you
press HELP, the line with the error is displayed on the screen with the
error flashing on and off For example
?SYNTAX ERROR MUNE 10
HELP
10 PRONT "COMMODORE
COMPUTERS"
Your compuler displays this
You press HELP
The mistake ts displayed (lashing
on and oil
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CHAPTER 3
SOFTWARE
Introduction
•Cartridges
Cassettes
Diskettes
29

INTRODUCTION
Acomputer without software is like aglass wtir>oul orange juice. Weil,
maybe not, but software does add to the usefulness of your computer
and the fun and diversion it affords you. Software is ail the programs
that can be entered and run on acomputer. The hardware (In this case,
your Commodore 16) can use software mmany forms: plug-in
cartridges, pre-recorded tapes and diskettes. The family of software
available tor your Commodore 16 is growing quickly Your cealer can
keep you up-lo-date on new products and inform you aboul tne features
of software that's currently available.
Your Commodore 16 can use software on CARTRIDGE, CASSETTE
TAPE, and DISKETTE form, available Irom your Commodore dealer. All
you do is load them Into your Commodore 16. You can also create and
store your own programs on cassette tapes or floppy disks.
CARTRIDGES
Commodore produces afull assortment of cartridge soltware for your
Commodore 16. There is avariety of personal, education, and
business programs, as well as exciting games available lor your
Commodore 16. You don't need any additional equipment to use
cartridge software; all you do is plug tne cartridge Into tne back of your
computer and power on Here are the steps to follow to use cartridges
Loading Cartridges
STEP 1Turn OFF your Commodore 16.
IMPORTANT: YOU MUST TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER BEFORE
YOU INSERT OR REMOVE CARTRIDGES. IF YOU DON'T, YOU
MAY DAMAGE THE CARTRIDGE AND THE COMPUTER
STEP 2Hold the cartridge with the label facing UP. and insert the
cartridge firmly in the cartridge slol (labelled 'memory
expansion') in tne back of your computer.
STEP 3Turn ON your Commodore 1
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STEP ABegin tne game or program according to the instructions thai
come with the software.
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CARTRIDGE SLOT
CASSETTES
••
Avariety of software lor the Commodore 16is available on cassette
tape Those cassette tapes are similar to the music cassettes that you
play on your tape deck or stereo. Software on lape works in the same
fashion as cartridge software, but you have lo have an additional piece
of equipment (called aperipheral) to load cassette software into your
computer To use cassettes, you need aDatassette tape recorder,
available Irom your Commodore dealer.
You can also use cassette tapes and the Datassette lo slore programs
you write yourself The next section explains how to save programs on
tape
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The steps for loading aprogram on cassene tape are the same,
whether you're using pre-recorded software or programs you saved
yourself.
Loading Cassette Tapes
STEP 1Insert the cassette into your Dalassette and close the door
STEP 2Rewind the tape to the beginning by pressing the REWIND
button on the Datassette
STEP 3Press STOP when the tape is rewound to the beginning, type
LOAD and press the MlUM key. The computer responds
with the following message;
PRESS PLAY ON TAPE
STEP 4Press the PLAY button on the Datassette The screen goes
blank as me Datassette starts When aprogram is found, the
screen displays this message:
SEARCHING
FOUND program name
STEP 5 Press the Commodore key Cto load the program that was
FOUND. If there is more than one program on the tape, and the
program your Commodore 16 found isn't the one you want, do
nothing Your computer will continue searching alter abrlel
interval.
When the program Is loaded, the word READY appears if you want to
stop the loading before it's complete, press hun'STC* on the
keyboard and then the STOP button on the Datassette. After the
software is 'Oaoed. type RUN to start the program. You can also LIST
the program or change it. if it is aBASIC program.
Loading ASpecific Program
To LOAD aspecific program on the tape, use the LOAD "program
nBrne" form of the LOAD command. The instructions are the same as
typing LOAD with no name, with just afew differences
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STEP 1If the program you want is called "BASES", you would type
LOAD "BASES"
and press return
Your computer responds with:
PRESS PLAY ON TAPE
STEP 2Press the PLAY button on your Datassette to get your
computer to start looking After soarchmg on the tape for the
program called BASES, the message should appear
FOUND BASES
LOADING
The screen goes blank while your computer then "reads'1the program
into its memory. If the entire tape goes by without the FOUND
message, rewind the tape and try again. Once your computer has
digested the entire program, your Commodore i6tells you;
READY.
STEP 3At the cursor, you instruct it to
RUN
and press retton At this point, your Commodore 16runs
(executes) the program "BASES",
Saving Programs on Cassette Tape
When you write aprogram yourself and you want to keep it for later use
or modification, you can SAVE that program When you SAVE a
program, you are in effect recording it on aform of software (tape or
disk) that allows you to recall the program so you can RUN It. make
changes, etc When you want to save a program on cassette tape,
follow these sleps
STEP! Type
SAVE "program name"
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The program name you use can be anything you want, bul can
be no more than 16 letters and/or numbers long
STEP 2Press the key The computet displays this message:
PRESS PLAY &RECORD ON TAPE
STEP 3Press the RECORD and PLAY buttons on your Datassetto. The
screen goes blank. When your program Is saved, the word
READY appears on the screen.
Examples ot SAVE Commands lor Cassette Tape:
SAVE "THE DAY"
SAVE "YOURSELF" This name is the specific name
of the program being saved
NOTE: When saving aprogram onto acassette tape, always be
aware of where the tape is positioned.
DISKETTES
DIsks are last ana easy !o use. Be sure to handle your disks and your
disk drive carefully Disks may be referred to as diskettes, floppy disks,
or floppies interchangeably, they are all the same thing Unlike
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cassettes, you only have to put the disk Into the disk drive and type the
commands to LOAD or SAVE programs; there are no buttons to push
There are acouple ot small lights on me front o( the disk drive. The
green light ts the power light, telling you whether the disk drive is turned
on or oh*. The red light letts you two things. During normal disk drive
use. when aprogram is being LOADed or SAVEd, It is Ht while the disk
is spinning in the drive If there is aproblem with the diskette or drive,
the red light flashes on and oft. even after the disk stops spinning in the
drive.
Loading Programs From Diskette
STEP 1Make sure that your disk drive is pluggea >n and the serial
cable Is connected Then turn the power ON.
STEP 2Insert the disk Into Ihe disk drive. The label side ot Ihe disk
must tace up. Insert the disk into the opening so that the
labelled end goes in last. Look lor alittle notch on the side ot
the disk (It might be covered with asticker). This notch should
be to your left as you put in the disk, assuming that you're
facing your disk drive. Be sure the disk is In all the way.

STEP 3 Close the protective "door" on the disk drive afler you insert
the disk.
STEP 4Type:
DLOAD "program
name" Specific name ol the program 10
be LOADed
(To save lime, you could press FUNCTION KEY 2and type in the
program name ana the second quote marks.)
STEP 5Press the return key The disk spins and your screen says:
SEARCHING FOR program name
FOUND program name
LOADING
READY.
-cursor
STEP 6Your software is now ready lo use. Type RUN and press the
return Key io start ihe program.
If the red light on the disk drive blinks afler the DLOAD is finished,
something weni wrong. Type:
?DSS (and nil BETURN )
to find oul what went wrong.
Examples of DLOAD commands:
DLOAD "•"
DLOAD "FILES"
DLOAD "SOF*"
Headering ADiskette
LOADs the 1st program on the disk
LOADs adisk program called FILES.
LOADs Ihe first program on Ihe disk that
begins with the letters SOF.
Headering prepares anew BLANK disk for use Any blank disk must
be formafted before it may be used, by using ihe HEADER command.
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IMPORTANT: DO NOT HEADER ADISK THAT HAS ANYTHING ON
IT UNLESS YOU WANT TO ERASE THE ENTIRE DISK. HEADERING
ERASES EVERYTHING ALREADY ON ADISK,
Tt\e lormat for the HEADER command Is
HEADER 'disk name" l,Udevice#]|,Iid.#],Ddhve#
•The name you use is the name of the entire disk. Give the disk any
name up to 16 characters.
•Udevice #specifies which peripheral device number (which disk
drive unit), and defaults lo 8(primary disk drive).
•The id. is the letter Iand any two letters and/ or numbers, like 12 1.
IR5, etc Give the disk any id. you want, but you should give every
disk adifferent Idto avoid contusion. (Note: the firsl characler
must not be F).
•II you have adual drive fa disk drive with two slots tor disks), you
should specify Ihe drive number with aor 1.Drive number is
ALWAYS included in the command, even wilh asingle drive (DO).
ARE YOU SURE? ^^^
As soon as you press return alter typing the HEADER command,
your Commodore 16asks ARE YOU SURE? This is to give you slast
chance to change your mind. If you want to go ahead and header the
disk, lype YES or Yand press RETUJUT If you decide not lo header the
disk, lype NO or Nand press RETURN
Here are some examples of HEADER commands.
HEADER "LETTERS",I07,D1
HEADER "FINANCES",U8.IS3, DO
NOTE: If you want to erase all files on adisk (as opposed to
formatting ablank disk), use the HEADER command without an i.d
number.This in effect scratches (erases) alt the files that were on
Inai disk.
Now that you know how to HEADER adisk, you're ready lo use disks lo
write and save programs on your Commodore 16(of any olher
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