Graphics BASIC

Graphics BASIC is an extension of Commodore BASIC 2.0 -Befehlsatzes for the Commodore 64 - home computer . It allows the easy use of the advanced multimedia capabilities of the C64, such as high-resolution graphics, sprites and sound. Graphics BASIC was developed in 1983 by Ron Gilbert and Tom McFarlane and published as an expansion module and as a 5.25 '' floppy disk for the C64.

Graphics

The VIC chip responsible for the screen output of the Commodore 64 allows different output modes for the display of pure text or graphics. Both graphics modes are supported by Graphics Basic: HIRESfor the higher resolution (320 × 200 pixels) with two colors each in an 8 × 8 block and using MULTIthe Mutil-Color mode with 4 colors in a 4 × 8 block with reduced resolution of 160 × 200 pixels. Graphics Basic knows the command for displaying text TEXT. As a special feature, the modes can be switched from a definable horizontal image line, which allows a mixed display.

Sample program

Graphics BASIC allowed the use of graphic primitives such as point, line, circle and rectangle in the graphic mode of the C64.

 DOT 160,100
 LINE 80,50 TO 240,150
 BOX 10,10 TO 20,20

Individual evidence

1. ↑ VIC in the C64-wiki. December 11, 2015, accessed December 11, 2015 .