Introducing Commando Basic

[Lucidapogee]

After creating Craft Basic (a direct interpreter) and FTCBASIC (a BASIC to fasm compiler), I had theories of how to create a tokenized interpreter. With the need for speed in mind, I decided to try.

The first successful test run was at my local truck stop (middle of nowhere AZ). Making good use of the free power, air conditioning, and cheap all beef gas station hot dogs with extra bbq sauce, Commando Basic was born. It's not as fast as Just Basic or Yabasic, but it's much faster than Craft Basic.

I've been working on this for a while with much help from my wife. The two of us are a team that makes Lucid Apogee.

This alpha version release includes an IDE, tokenizer, interpreter, chm help file, and 96 examples.

There's still much to be done with this project, but I felt it was time to share it and hope for feedback.

https://www.lucidapogee.com/index.php?page=commandobasic

[CharlieJV]

The first successful test run was at my local truck stop (middle of nowhere AZ). Making good use of the free power, air conditioning, and cheap all beef gas station hot dogs with extra bbq sauce, Commando Basic was born.

If it needs a follow-up antacid, that's my kind of birthing/origin story.

[CharlieJV]

Hey, one of my goals for BAM: a sidekick for traditional (installed) BASIC implementations.

BAM being a TiddlyWiki, it can make for a small/rudimentary portable source code repository, and an easy way to deploy programs for testing purposes (i.e. for distributed collaboration, testers not necessarily having the device/OS to install your BASIC.)

Well, if BAM compatibility with your BASIC implementations is a complete poop-show, then BAM wouldn't be much of a useful sidekick.

[Lucidapogee]

Haha I can eat bbq sauce hotdogs for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
 

BAM has GWBasic like syntax right? My languages are more like tiny basic with some extra features. It's definitely BASIC, but done differently. RPN expression evaluation is the main feature. The infix is translated to postfix during tokenization to produce fairly fast executing scripts.

[CharlieJV]

Haha I can eat bbq sauce hotdogs for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
 

Oh, to have a young cast-iron gut again ...

BAM has GWBasic like syntax right? My languages are more like tiny basic with some extra features. It's definitely BASIC, but done differently. RPN expression evaluation is the main feature. The infix is translated to postfix during tokenization to produce fairly fast executing scripts.

Digging into wwwBASIC over since December 2020, it sure looks like wwwBASIC was heavily influenced by QBasic.  Or GW-BASIC lineage / QBasic lineage.

[johnno56]

Link to 'installer' and 'portable' versions of 'commando' do not seem to work. Displayed an 'advertise' page instead.

[Lucidapogee]

Attached is a screenshot of the page you're referring to. There's an ad served with my download. I do this with a script I wrote in php. It allows me to record date, time, ip, and other info about downloads while simultaneously serving a first party ad from my own server.

The result is I get statistics about how my products are doing while also funding my site. As a bonus, the script works as an anti adblocker. Adblock must be disabled for the download to start.

If adblock is disabled and it still doesn't start automatically, select the "If the download doesn't start in a few seconds, click here."

It's very similar to other sites with download management systems. The way it works is when you click the download, it points to page with two frames. One frame tracks and starts the download while the other displays the ad. The one that displays the frame uses another frame to start the download.

[Lucidapogee]

I have added another download mirror to itch.io for an ad free download experience (although this one will nag for a donation).

https://lucidapogee.itch.io/commando-basic/purchase

This link offers both the installer and portable version.

Meanwhile... I just fixed a small bug while working on completing a Rosetta Code task.

The problem was the prime function was returning 0 and 1, rather than 0 and -1. This prevented it from playing nicely with not(). I got it working now and have already uploaded the update including the new example. I will have to go back and add this fix to Craft Basic as well. Seriously an amateur mistake, I know... lol

New example, based from Rosetta Code task:

'https://rosettacode.org/wiki/Circular_primes

let p = 2
let s = 1

do

    let n = int(log(p) / log(10))
    let m = 10 ^ n
    let q = p
    let r = 1

    for i = 0 to n

        if q < p or not(prime(q)) then

            let r = 0
            break i

        endif

        let q = (q mod m) * 10 + int(q / m)

    next i

    if r then

        print p, " ",
        let l = l + 1

    endif

    let p = p + s
    let s = 2

loop l < 19

pause

[ZXDunny]

Adblock must be disabled for the download to start.

Thanks for the itch link. It'll be a very, very cold day in hell before I disable adblock on today's internet for anyone. I value my online safety too much for that.

Looking forward to testing this.

[johnno56]

Yep. Adblocker stopped it... Used another browser and it downloaded just fine.

"Took it out for a spin." and it runs quite well. The only issue so far is that I cannot hear any sound or music. Probably because I use Linux and must run Commando using Wine.

[CharlieJV]

Yeah, my mind is like an unleashed puppy: "johnno56 goes Commando".

My kind of product advertising: "If one goes commando, one should be armed with the right BASIC!"

Yeah, my dirty sense o' haha, I get honestly...

[Lucidapogee]

Adblock must be disabled for the download to start.

Thanks for the itch link. It'll be a very, very cold day in hell before I disable adblock on today's internet for anyone. I value my online safety too much for that.

Looking forward to testing this.

I understand what you mean. For my security, I use NoScript on Seamonkey. Online advertising and marketing is a funny business to be in. In one way, I love coding ad tech, but in another way it gets a bad reputation. I gotta do my best to keep on doing what I am good at. I have run several ad networks in the past, so it's a natural part of how I do things.

Yep. Adblocker stopped it... Used another browser and it downloaded just fine.

"Took it out for a spin." and it runs quite well. The only issue so far is that I cannot hear any sound or music. Probably because I use Linux and must run Commando using Wine.

Awesome. I didn't know it would run under Wine. That's good to know. The sound is just a TONE command using the BEEP from windows api. Maybe that's not supported under Wine.

I really need to add more sound support to Commando Basic. I plan to add wav file support by the time version one is released.

Yeah, my mind is like an unleashed puppy: "johnno56 goes Commando".

My kind of product advertising: "If one goes commando, one should be armed with the right BASIC!"

Yeah, my dirty sense o' haha, I get honestly...

I was wondering if anyone would make Commando jokes. There's hope left for the world. 

[Lucidapogee]

This alpha version release still has much work to be done. I was up late last night working on strings.

Commando Basic has minimal string handling, but it's non standard to other BASIC languages. Still, I want it to be capable of getting things done. The way it works is string parsing is done with commands instead of functions. The commands accept various parameters. Some of the commands will accept either literal strings or string variables interchangeably.

I went through and double checked everything. Found and fixed some mistakes. Also updated the keywords to be a bit more readable.

The reason I have chosen this path for string handling is that like Craft Basic, Commando Basic is essentially a minimal Tiny Basic interpreter. My languages are true to traditional BASIC syntax up to a certain point. Everything else is bonus features.

As a result, I see Commando Basic as like a modern ASIC (modern as it will run on newer machines).

I will be updating the download links shortly to include the changes I am making. A new example game will be included. It's an interactive fiction game I am using to test the string handling.

[Lucidapogee]

I have updated the download links with the stuff I mentioned above.

A new game has been included with the download. It's called Desert of Skulls Adventure. The game is interactive fiction and demonstrates the rudimentary string handling routines of Commando Basic.

'Desert of Skulls Adventure
'by Gemino Smothers 2023
'www.lucidapogee.com

define areax = 4, areay = 5
define lastareax = 4, lastareay = 4
define areasx = 8, areasy = 8
define hydration = 15, gourdfull, locked = 1, outlaw = 1

define keys, rope, gourd, bullets, derringer, temp, boulder
define space, character, characters, check, shortcheck, errorflag

define cmdline$, command$, parameters$, cmpstr$

gosub intro

do

    gosub parser
    gosub commands

loop hydration >=  1

print "You are too thirsty and unable to continue... Game over!"
tone 100, 1000
pause
end

sub intro

    cls
    print "Desert of Skulls Adventure  _____"
    print "by Gemino Smothers 2023    /    \"
    print "www.lucidapogee.com        | () () |"
    print "                            \  ^  /"
    print "Type help at any time.      |||||"
    print "                            ||||| "
    print "Press any key to begin..."
    pause
    cls
    print "You suddenly awaken to the sound of coyotes yapping."
    print "How did you get here? Last you remember", comma, " you were in a small town."
    print "You were travelling in search for a new home and decided to rest there."
    print "Unfortunately", comma, " the town was full of outlaws and you were knocked out."
    print "Now you must find your way and continue your adventure..."
    gosub areadescription

return

sub parser

    do
    loopuntil key <> 13

    print "What would you like to do? ",
    gosub getinput
    print

    find space, cmdline$, " "

    if space then

        let character = space - 1
        cut command$, cmdline$, 1, character
        let character = space + 1
        length characters, cmdline$
        cut parameters$, cmdline$, space + 1, characters - space + 1

    else

        copy command$, cmdline$

    endif

return

sub commands

    let lastareax = areax
    let lastareay = areay

    let errorflag = 1

    gosub lookcommand
    gosub northcommand
    gosub eastcommand
    gosub southcommand
    gosub westcommand
    gosub examinecommand
    gosub takecommand
    gosub usecommand
    gosub talkcommand
    gosub inventorycommand
    gosub helpcommand
    gosub byecommand

    if errorflag then

        print "Invalid command.", newline

    endif

return

sub areadescription

    print newline, "(hydration: ", hydration, ")"

    let boulder = 1

    if areax = 4 and areay = 1 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 5 and areay = 1 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 6 and areay = 1 then

        gosub skeleton

    endif

    if areax = 2 and areay = 2 then

        gosub barn

    endif

    if areax = 3 and areay = 2 then

        gosub house

    endif

    if areax = 4 and areay = 2 then

        gosub roads

    endif

    if areax = 5 and areay = 2 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 6 and areay = 2 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 8 and areay = 2 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 2 and areay = 3 then

        gosub crops

    endif

    if areax = 3 and areay = 3 then

        gosub crops

    endif

    if areax = 4 and areay = 3 then

        gosub roads

    endif

    if areax = 5 and areay = 3 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 6 and areay = 3 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 8 and areay = 3 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 2 and areay = 4 then

        gosub crops

    endif

    if areax = 3 and areay = 4 then

        gosub crops

    endif

    if areax = 4 and areay = 4 then

        gosub roads

    endif

    if areax = 5 and areay = 4 then

        gosub roads

    endif

    if areax = 6 and areay = 4 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 8 and areay = 4 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 2 and areay = 5 then

        gosub roads

    endif

    if areax = 3 and areay = 5 then

        gosub roads

    endif

    if areax = 4 and areay = 5 then

        gosub crossroad

    endif

    if areax = 5 and areay = 5 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 6 and areay = 5 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 8 and areay = 5 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 4 and areay = 6 then

        gosub roads

    endif

    if areax = 5 and areay = 6 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 6 and areay = 6 then

        gosub pileofskulls

    endif

    if areax = 7 and areay = 6 then

        if outlaw = 0 then

            gosub sands

        else

            gosub robbery

        endif            

    endif

    if areax = 8 and areay = 6 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 1 and areay = 7 then

        gosub spring

    endif

    if areax = 2 and areay = 7 then

        gosub cliff

    endif

    if areax = 3 and areay = 7 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 4 and areay = 7 then

        gosub roads

    endif

    if areax = 5 and areay = 7 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 6 and areay = 7 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 8 and areay = 7 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 4 and areay = 8 then

        gosub traveller

    endif

    if areax = 5 and areay = 8 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 6 and areay = 8 then

        gosub sands

    endif

    if areax = 8 and areay = 8 then

        gosub greatlake

    endif

    if boulder then

        gosub boulders

    endif

    print

return

sub lookcommand

    compare check, command$, "LOOK"
    compare shortcheck, command$, "L"

    if check or shortcheck then

        let errorflag = 0

        gosub look

    endif

return

sub northcommand

    compare check, command$, "NORTH"
    compare shortcheck, command$, "N"

    if check or shortcheck then

        let errorflag = 0

        if areay > 1 then

            let areay = areay - 1
            print "You travel North."

        else

            print "You are unable to travel North."

        endif

        gosub areadescription

    endif

return

sub eastcommand

    compare check, command$, "EAST"
    compare shortcheck, command$, "E"

    if check or shortcheck then

        let errorflag = 0

        if areax + 1 <= areasx then

            let areax = areax + 1
            print "You travel East."

        else

            print "You are unable to travel East."

        endif

        gosub areadescription

    endif

return

sub southcommand

    compare check, command$, "SOUTH"
    compare shortcheck, command$, "S"

    if check or shortcheck then

        let errorflag = 0

        if areay + 1 <= areasy then

            let areay = areay + 1
            print "You travel South."

        else

            print "You are unable to travel South."

        endif

        gosub areadescription

    endif

return

sub westcommand

    compare check, command$, "WEST"
    compare shortcheck, command$, "W"

    if check or shortcheck then

        let errorflag = 0

        if areax > 1 then

            let areax = areax - 1
            print "You travel West."

        else

            print "You are unable to travel West."

        endif

        gosub areadescription

    endif

return

sub examinecommand

    compare check, command$, "EXAMINE"
    compare shortcheck, command$, "EX"

    if check or shortcheck then

        let errorflag = 0

        if areax = 2 and areay = 2 then

            gosub examinebaleofhay

        endif

        if areax = 3 and areay = 2 and locked = 0 then

            gosub examinerange
            gosub examinebed
            gosub examineshelf

        endif

        if areax = 2 and areay = 3 then

            gosub examinecrops

        endif

        if areax = 3 and areay = 3 then

            gosub examinecrops

        endif

        if areax = 2 and areay = 4 then

            gosub examinecrops

        endif

        if areax = 3 and areay = 4 then

            gosub examinecrops

        endif

        if areax = 6 and areay = 1 then

            gosub examineskeleton

        endif

        if areax = 6 and areay = 6 then

            gosub examinepileofskulls

        endif

        print

    endif

return

sub examinebaleofhay

    compare check, parameters$, "BALE OF HAY"

    if not(check) then

        compare check, parameters$, "BALE"

    endif

    if not(check) then

        compare check, parameters$, "HAY"

    endif

    endif

    if check then

        if keys then

            print "There's nothing of interest."

        else

            print "There's a rusty old key in the hay."

        endif

    endif

return

sub examinerange

    compare check, parameters$, "RANGE"

    if check then

        print "The range hasn't been used recently."

    endif

return

sub examinebed

    compare check, parameters$, "BED"

    if check then

        print "The bed is old", comma, " yet looks cozy."

    endif

return

sub examineshelf

    compare check, parameters$, "SHELF"

    if check then

        print "The shelf contains the following items..."

        if not(rope) then

            print "rope"

        endif

        if not(gourd) then

            print "gourd"

        endif

    endif

return

sub examinecrops

    compare check, parameters$, "CROP"

    if check then

        print "There's doesn't appear to be anything useful here."

    endif

return

sub examineskeleton

    compare check, parameters$, "SKELETON"

    if check then

        if derringer then

            print "There's only bones and tatters."

        else

            print "A dirty", comma," rusty", comma, " old derringer is in the skeleton's hand."

        endif

    endif

return

sub examinepileofskulls

    compare check, parameters$, "PILE OF SKULLS"

    if not(check) then

        compare check, parameters$, "SKULLS"

    endif

    if check then

        print "The stench is terrible."
        print "Ravens circle the area."
        print "There's nothing of interest."

    endif

return

sub takecommand

    compare check, command$, "TAKE"
    compare shortcheck, command$, "T"

    if check or shortcheck then

        let errorflag = 0

        if areax = 2 and areay = 2 and keys = 0 then

            gosub takekey

        endif

        if areax = 3 and areay = 2 and locked = 0 and rope = 0 then

            gosub takerope

        endif

        if areax = 3 and areay = 2 and locked = 0 and gourd = 0 then

            gosub takegourd

        endif

        if areax = 6 and areay = 1 and derringer = 0 then

            gosub takederringer

        endif

    endif

return

sub takekey

    compare check, parameters$, "KEY"

    if check then

        let keys = 1

        print "You take the key.", newline

    endif

return

sub takerope

    compare check, parameters$, "ROPE"

    if check then

        let rope = 1

        print "You take the rope.", newline

    endif

return

sub takegourd

    compare check, parameters$, "GOURD"

    if check then

        let gourd = 1

        print "You take the gourd.", newline

    endif

return

sub takederringer

    compare check, parameters$, "DERRINGER"

    if check then

        let derringer = 1

        print "You take the derringer.", newline

    endif

return

sub usecommand

    compare check, command$, "USE"
    compare shortcheck, command$, "U"

    if check or shortcheck then

        let errorflag = 0

        if gourd then

            gosub usegourd

        endif

        if areax = 3 and areay = 2 and keys and locked then

            gosub usekey

        endif

    endif

return

sub usegourd

    if gourdfull then

        let hydration = hydration + 5

        print "You drink the water from your gourd."
        print "It's warm", comma, " but you still feel refreshed.", newline

        let gourdfull = 0

    else

        print "The gourd is empty. You have no water!", newline

    endif

return

sub usekey

    let locked = 0

    print "After a short struggle", comma, " you manage to unlock the door.", newline

return

sub talkcommand

    compare check, command$, "TALK"
    compare shortcheck, command$, "TA"

    if check or shortcheck then

        let errorflag = 0

        if areax = 4 and areay = 8 and bullets = 0 and gourd and gourdfull then

            gosub talktotraveller

        endif

    endif

return

sub talktotraveller

    print "Traveller:"
    print "Hello, may you please share some water with me."
    print "I am so very thirsty and cannot go on without a drink.", newline
    print "Will you offer the traveller a drink of water?"
    print "Yes or no? ", newline

    gosub getinput

    compare check, cmdline$, "YES"
    compare shortcheck, cmdline$, "Y"

    if check or shortcheck then

        let gourdfull = 0
        let bullets = 1

        print "You share the water from the gourd with the traveller.", newline
        print "Traveller:"
        print "Thank you for helping me. I thought my life was over!"
        print "Here's some bullets. They are of no use to me and are"
        print "all that I have to repay you."

    endif

    print

return

sub inventorycommand

    compare check, command$, "INVENTORY"
    compare shortcheck, command$, "I"

    if check or shortcheck then

        let errorflag = 0

        print "You are carrying the following items..."

        if keys then

            print "key"

        endif

        if rope then

            print "rope"

        endif

        if gourd then

            if gourdfull then

                print "full gourd"

            else

                print "empty gourd"

            endif

        endif

        if bullets then

            print "bullets"

        endif

        if derringer then

            print "derringer"

        endif

        print

    endif

return

sub helpcommand

    compare check, command$, "HELP"
    compare shortcheck, command$, "H"

    if not(shortcheck) then

        compare shortcheck, command$ , "?"

    endif

    if check or shortcheck then

        let errorflag = 0

        cls

        print "Help:", newline
        print "(l)ook"
        print "(n)orth"
        print "(e)ast"
        print "(s)outh"
        print "(w)est"
        print "(ex)amine (object)"
        print "(t)ake (object)"
        print "(u)se (object)"
        print "(ta)lk"
        print "(i)nventory"
        print "(h)elp"
        print "(q)uit", newline
        print "Press any key to continue..."
        pause
        cls
        gosub look

    endif

return

sub byecommand

    compare check, command$, "BYE"

    if not(check) then

        compare check, command$, "END"

    endif

    if not(check) then
    
        compare check, command$, "QUIT"

    endif

    if not(check) then

        compare check, command$, "EXIT"

    endif

    compare shortcheck, command$, "Q"

    if check or shortcheck then

        end

    endif

return

sub boulders

    print "The boulders here are much too steep. You'll have to go another way."

    let areax = lastareax
    let areay = lastareay

return

sub sands

    let boulder = 0

    print "There's nothing", comma, " but sand here."
    print "The sand is hot and the air is dry."
    print "Your thirst intensifies."

    let hydration = hydration - 1

return

sub roads

    let boulder = 0

    print "You find yourself wandering an old road."
    print "There's nothing for miles."
    print "The long walk is making you thirsty."

    let hydration = hydration - 1

return

sub crossroad

    let boulder = 0

    print "You are at a crossroad."
    print "The signpost is faded and unreadable."

    let hydration = hydration - 1

return

sub crops

    let boulder = 0

    print "You are surrounded by the remains of an old crop."
    print "Nothing has grown here for a long time."

return

sub barn

    let boulder = 0

    print "There's an old barn here."
    print "The place is falling apart."
    print "A single bale of hay remains inside."

return

sub house

    let boulder = 0

    if locked then

        print "You are outside of an old house."
        print "The door is locked and the windows are boarded."

    else

        print "You are inside of an old house."
        print "There's a range and a bed."
        print "Above the range is a shelf."

    endif

return

sub cliff

    let boulder = 0

    if rope then

        print "You are at the edge of a cliff."
        print "The rope you found at the old house helps you to climb safely."

    else

        print "You are at the edge of a cliff."
        print "Maybe you can find somethig to help climb down safely."

        let areax = lastareax
        let areay = lastareay

    endif

return

sub spring

    let boulder = 0

    print "You are in a valley between the cliffs. It's beautiful."
    print "The bushes are a vibrant green."
    print "Water from the surrounding areas collect here."
    print "There's a small spring of fresh water."
    print "You take a good drink and fill your gourd."
    print "There's berries growing here as well. Delicious!"

    let hydration = 15
    let gourdfull = 1

return

sub traveller

    let boulder = 0

    if bullets then

        gosub roads

    else

        if gourd and gourdfull then

            print "You encounter a lone traveller."
            print "It looks like he wants to talk with you."

        else

            gosub roads

        endif

    endif

return

sub skeleton

    let boulder = 0

    print "You have been walking for a very long time."
    print "There's a skeleton lying here in the sand."
    print "Your thirst intensifies."

    let hydration = hydration - 1

return

sub pileofskulls

    let boulder = 0

    print "There's a pile of skulls in the sand."
    print "Something terrible happened here."
    print "Whatever it was", comma, " that was long ago."
    print "Your thirst intensifies."

    let hydration = hydration - 1

return

sub robbery

    let boulder = 0

    print "You find a passage between the steep boulders."
    print "Suddenly", comma, " an outlaw appears and confronts you.", newline
    print "Outlaw:"
    print "Give me your possessions or die!", newline
    print "Will you defend yourself or run?"
    print "Defend or Run? ",

    gosub getinput

    compare check, cmdline$, "DEFEND"
    compare shortcheck, cmdline$, "D"

    if check or shortcheck then

        if derringer and bullets then

            print "The outlaw attempts to draw his gun and shoot you."
            print "You produce your gun and shoot him just in time."
            print "The outlaw is dead."

            let outlaw = 0

        else

            print "You attempt to defend yourself", comma, " but are shot in the process."
            print "Never bring your fists to a gun fight... Game over."

            tone 100, 1000
            pause
            end

        endif

    else

        print "You narrowly manage to escape the outlaw robber."

        let areax = lastareax
        let areay = lastareay

    endif

return

sub greatlake

    print "After a long adventure", comma, " you have found something spectacular."
    print "A great lake full of life and beauty. This place is your calling."
    print "It's time for you to settle down and build your home here."
    print "You win the game!"
    tone 400, 1000
    pause
    end

return

sub getinput

    input cmdline$
    trim cmdline$, cmdline$
    upper cmdline$, cmdline$

return

sub look

    let temp = hydration
    let hydration = hydration + 1
    gosub areadescription
    let hydration = temp

return