BBC BASIC for Windows version 6.10a released

[Richard Russell]

I have released BBC BASIC for Windows version 6.10a. This release addresses the 'string parameter instability' issue and provides improved compatibility with BBCSDL. It includes the following modifications:

Interpreter:

1. If the 'string parameter instability' condition is detected, an 'Incorrect arguments' error (ERR = 31) is reported. This is a major change, although it has been in BBCSDL for some time. See the 'Bug alert' thread for details.
   
   
2. For improved compatibility with BBCSDL, the *DISPLAY and *MDISPLAY commands have been extended to accept an optional 'transparent colour' parameter.
   
   
3. For improved compatibility with BBCSDL, the WIDTH(string$) function is implemented.

IDE and editor:

1. The 'Set Font' and 'Set Printer Font' commands now permit selection of proportional-spaced fonts as well as monospaced fonts (unless disabled by a registry setting).
   
   
2. The Help menu has been updated so as no longer to link to the 'unofficial' BB4W forum, and to include a link to the Facebook page..
   
   
3. When pasting into the editing pane, soft-spaces are converted to hard-spaces.

Libraries:

1. The D3DLIBA, D3D9LIB and D3D9LIBA libraries are included.
   
   
2. The MULTIWIN library forwards mouse double-click messages to the main window.
   
   
3. The HQSOUND library incorporates PROC_voice() and PROC_stereo() which are functionally similar to the *VOICE and *STEREO commands in BBCSDL.

Add-in Utilities:

1. A problem causing the Profiler utility to fail if the program contained a *FLOAT command has been fixed.

Example programs:

1. New programs 2048.BBC, BUGGY.BBC, DIBLEY.BBC and TRIPLES.BBC have been added to the GAMES directory.
   
   
2. New programs BOUNCE.BBC, SCARAB.BBC and SNOWSCENE.BBC have been added to the GRAPHICS directory.
   
   
3. A new program TOCFUGUE.BBC has been added to the SOUNDS directory.

To upgrade your copy of BBC BASIC for Windows to version 6.10a, and at the same time update your libraries, utilities, example programs and manual, download and install UPGRADE.EXE from here:

http://www.rtrussell.co.uk/bbcwin/download.html

You may receive security warnings from Windows. That issue will resolve itself eventually when the files have been downloaded a sufficient number of times for them to have gained a 'reputation' for safety.

Richard.