{{htmlmetatags>metatag-robots=()
metatag-title=(Join BASIC 10Liner Contest with ugBASIC)
metatag-keywords=(ugBASIC,BASIC,10Liner,Contest)
metatag-description=(How to participate in the BASIC 10Liner Contest using ugBASIC.)
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metatag-og:title=(Join BASIC 10Liner Contest with ugBASIC) 
metatag-og:description=(How to participate in the BASIC 10Liner Contest using ugBASIC.)
}}

====== Join BASIC 10Liner Contest with ugBASIC ======

An interesting competition is held at the beginning of each year: the **[[https://gkanold.wixsite.com/homeputerium|BASIC 10Liner Contest]]**. Run by Gunnar Kanold since 2011, you can submit game or programs written for any BASIC for 8-bit home computer for which an emulator is available. Some of the entries in previous years were astounding, and give an example of the abilities of classic computers like the the Commodore 64 or Atari 800. 

Obviously, **it is possible to use ugBASIC to participate in the next "BASIC10Liner" competition**, in the following categories:

^ Category     ^ Description                                                                                  ^ Allowed?  ^
| **PUR-80**       | A game in 10 lines of max 80 characters (w/abbrev.)       |           |
| **PUR-120**      | A game in 10 lines of max 120 characters (w/abbrev.)      |  ✓        |
| **EXTREME-256**  | A game in 10 lines of max 256 characters (w/abbrev.)      |  ✓        | 
| **SCHAU**        | Any program in 10 lines of max 256 characters (w/abbrev.) |  ✓        | 

You cannot join the **PUR-80** category since **ugBASIC** is not a native BASIC like the **PUR-80** category require. In order to reduce space you can use [[:ugbasic:user:abbreviations|one or two letters abbreviations]] for each instruction.

{{ :ugbasic:ugbasic-ide-10liner.png?nolink&400 |}}

In order to produce an executable that meets the rules, you have to use the ''-1'' option on command line version. As an alternative, if you are using **[[https://spotlessmind1975.itch.io/ugbasic-ide|UGBASIC-IDE]]**, the option can be enabled by using the **"10-Liner" Contest** option on the __**Build**__ menu. 

===== Rules to join =====

On [[https://gkanold.wixsite.com/homeputerium|official website]] you will find the exact list of rules that the source will have to respect. There are some general ones, which apply regardless of the category, and that must be satisfied. This small section will help to write a program that respect them all.

==== No external data ====

''1. Loading of data or program parts from mass storage is not allowed''

It is not possible to load images, text files or other data from external files. This is a very convenient feature of ugBASIC, because it allows you to decline a resource for various platforms. Unfortunately, the regulation does not allow this type of feature. To better ensure that this rule is met, the ''-1'' option disables the load instructions (''LOAD'' and the like) and the UGBASIC-IDE option does the same.

There are alternatives. 

It is possible to substitute an "inline" definition for an external file, with the definition of a buffer that contains the equivalent binary data. In this case, however, it is necessary to reconstruct the native data. There is currently no function that converts a generic buffer (and it would take up too much space anyway). Obviously, any static graphic resources can be replaced by drawings in real time.

    pipe = LOAD IMAGE("pipe.png")
    PUT IMAGE pipe AT 0, 0

Can be replaced with

    DRAW 0, 0 TO 0, 8

==== No machine program allowed ====

''2. The 10 lines must not contain any machine programs''

This rule is implicitly respected. In fact, at the moment it is not possible to include or execute assembly code or machine code, so no attention has to be taken.

==== Compiled programs allowed ====

''3. Programs may be compiled (source must still be submitted)''

ugBASIC is a compiler, and compiled programs complies with this rule, since you can still either send the source separately or list it.

==== No self-modifying or hidden initialization  ====

''4. All code must be visible in the listing: self-modifying code or hidden initializations are not allowed.''

This rule is implicitly respected. In fact, at the moment it is not possible to self modify the ugBASIC code, or to initialize by using nothing different of an explicit constant.

==== Allowed POKEs  ====

''5. POKEs are allowed''

Although ugBASIC theoretically allows you to use ''POKE'' commands, you really shouldn't need them. 

==== Executable deploy format ====

''9. The program must be submitted on a disk or tape image appropriate for the system''

At the moment ugBASIC generates different types of output, depending on the target considered. In particular:

^ target   ^ description             ^ output  ^ description      ^ allowed?  ^
| atari    | Atari 400/800           | xex     | Executable file  |           |
| atarixl  | Atari XL                | xex     | Executable file  |           |
| c64      | Commodore 64            | prg     | Executable file  |           |
| d32      | Dragon 32               | bin     | ROM image        |  ✓        |
| d64      | Dragon 64               | bin     | ROM image        |  ✓        |
| mo5      | Thomson MO5             | k7      | TAPE image       |  ✓        |
| msx1     | MSX 1                   | rom     | ROM image        |  ✓        |
| pc128op  | Olivetti Prodest PC128  | k7      | TAPE image       |  ✓        |
| plus4    | Commodore PLUS/4        | prg     | Executable file  |           |
| vic20    | Commodore VIC-20        | prg     | Executable file  |           |
| zx       | ZX Spectrum 48K         | tap     | TAPE image       |  ✓        |

For all types that are checked, the format is already compatible with the competition. For the others it is necessary to insert the executable inside a disk / cassette image. This is a simple operation, and can be done with one of the available open source tools. In one of the next versions it will be possible to generate the image ready to be delivered directly from the command line ([[https://github.com/spotlessmind1975/ugbasic/issues/320|see here for more informations]]).

==== Listability ====

''10. The program must be listable (The LIST command must produce a readable program listing)''

{{ :ugbasic:ugbasic-10liner-shell2.jpg?nolink&400 |}}

Using the ''-1'' option, a small runtime module will be inserted into the program, which will allow you to run the program (''RUN'' command) or display it (''LIST'' command).

==== Proof of category ====

''11. Include the following in a ZIP file with your submission:  The program (on disk or tape image file); a text file with the program description and instructions; a short description of how to start the game via emulator;  a screenshot in jpg or png format (or an animated screenshot in gif format); a program listing, proving that the program does not have more characters than allowed in the category. ''

In ugBASIC, the character count must be done in the same way as with other BASICs. The only care is the control sequences (eg: color change, screen cancellation, directional cursors, ...). In general, control sequences are always two characters long, except for clearing the screen (''{CLEAR}'') and issuing a single specific character (''{048}'' for ''0''). In these cases, the occupation is limited to a single character.

{{ :ugbasic:ugbasic-10liner-count.png?nolink&600 |}}

In addition to manual character counting, which is a practice that will still have to be done at least once, under Microsoft Windows you can use the convenient functionality of [[https://spotlessmind1975.itch.io/ugbasic-ide|UGBASIC-IDE]]. This functionality allows you to verify, in real time, that the source code of the program complies with any category, since it counts the exact characters for each line (ten lines maximum), control sequences in strings too.

====== Example ======

As an "proof of concept", I ported to ugBASIC the game created to participate in the 2020 edition of "BASIC10Liner" competition, and that won the FRATZENGEBALLER'S SPECIAL AWARD. The game ([[https://github.com/spotlessmind1975/adv10en/blob/master/adv10en.bas|source here]]) was originally wrote in COMMODORE BASIC V2. Since the target machine (Commodore 64) is the same, it was sufficient to make some minor changes (mainly, the replace of letter case on abbreviations, some readdressing using ''POKE'', and some other minimum changes, [[https://github.com/spotlessmind1975/adv10en/blob/master/adv10en.ugbasic.bas|sources are here]]).

It could participate in the EXTREME-256 category, as well as the original one. The runtime loads directly on the emulator and it is possible to view the source code of the program (''LIST'' command) before running it (''RUN'' command).

**This is a very limited porting for demonstration purposes only.**

The executable version can be [[https://github.com/spotlessmind1975/adv10en/blob/master/adv10en.ugbasic.c64.prg|downloaded here]]. 

====== POWERED BY ======

[[https://ugbasic.iwashere.eu|{{ :ugbasic:user:logo-ugbasic.png?nolink&600 |}}]]