The Perfect C128 Expansion ROM

[airship]

I like the idea of C= /\ and C=\/ (that's up-cursor and down-cursor) for command-line history. Ideally it shouldn't pull up any program lines you've entered - just direct-mode commands that end with [RETURN]. NOT on a command-line but WHEREVER on the screen your cursor happens to be.

Environment variables could work exactly like the KEY command except a value would be assigned to a named variable instead of a function key. Such variables should be persistent - that is, they should be accessible by programs and settable in direct mode but they would NOT be reset by the BASIC line editor or RUN command.

Some environment variables would read their values from BASIC memory - for example, TRMPOS would hold the value in zero page address 11, to indicate the current screen column for TAB and SPC. Each variable of this kind would have the traditional memory address reference name, but could be assigned an ALIAS like this: ALIAS TP=TRMPOS. Any changeable  but system-known value should be associated with a system variable: start of VIC screen memory, color memory address and bank, etc. SETTING one of these variables would CHANGE the associated memory location.

Useful environment CONSTANTS would include addresses in the VIC-II, SID, and MMU chips, as well as common ROM jump table vectors, among others.

This would lead to a big pile of reserved variable names, but it would also make programs more consistent and easier to follow.

And the text-entry line of the screen editor should be expanded to support 3 80-column lines or 6 40-column ones (240 characters). Doesn't BASIC support that many in a crunched program anyway?

[Pinacolada]

I kind of like the idea of using the C= key for highlighting, since the PC standard SHIFT-cursor is out because of shifted cursor-key movement on the C128.

Unless, that is, of course.... *looks thoughtful*

Tapping SHIFT once would toggle between moving the cursor with cursor keys, and selecting text as you go?

Or... why not use the cursor keys on the top row? I suppose their placement is ridiculous for this purpose, though. (Or just in general)

[airship]

The cursor key placement on the C128 is about as convenient as having them located in the garage.

If I ever win the lottery, I'm going to hire a hardware guy to graft my old IBM Model M keyboard only my C128. Then I'm going to hire a master Japanese calligrapher to paint the CBM graphic characters on the front of the keys.