\INTRODUCTION ABOUT BLITZ BASIC 2 Blitz BASIC 2 is a BASIC compiler for the Amiga computer from Acid Software a New Zealand company dedicated to producing top quality software for the Amiga user. Blitz 2 comprises of a fully integrated editor/compiler environment providing a serious, productive environment for the Amiga programmer. *** BLITZ MODE *** For the games programmer Blitz 2 offers a unique environment known as Blitz mode. Closing down the operating system and replacing it with - a kernal of super fast graphics - specialised sound commands - dedicated IO library - precise display control No longer does the Amiga programmer need to immerse themselves in assembler and complex hardware manipulation to produce fast, professional games. *** AMIGA MODE *** For the applications developer Blitz 2 offers complete control of the Amiga's multitasking, window based operating system. A comprehensive set of Workbench 2.0 compatible commands allow full control of - screens - windows - menus - gadgets - intuitext - IDCMP reports An Intuition planner allows the creation of complex user interfaces quickly and easily generating Blitz 2 source code that can be inserted straight into Blitz 2 programs. \PROGRAMMING FEATURES *** PROGRAMMING FEATURES *** Types and NewTypes ------------------ Blitz 2 supports the following numeric types: quick (fixed point) byte, word, long (integer) and fast floating point String handling is extensively supported. NewTypes can be defined (similar to C structures) allowing the BASIC programmer to dramatically simplify their code. Arrays of NewTypes not only dramatically reduces the number of arrays but speeds up the code. NewTypes also allow Blitz programmers lower level access to the operating system with all the structures used available as include files or resident in the Blitz 2 environment. Linked Lists ------------ As well as multi dimensional arrays Blitz 2 supports Linked-Lists. These are single dimension arrays with a powerful command set providing much greater control of the elements in the array. Elements can be added, inserted and deleted to lists, sorting order can be retained, processing of elements is simpler and quicker and code is not only easier to read but performance is increased. Extended BASIC program flow commands ------------------------------------ The following programming structures are supported in Blitz 2: For..Next While..Wend Repeat..Until Block If/Then/Else Select..Case..Default..EndSelect On..Goto & On..Gosub Statements and Functions with shared/global variable support. Multi levelled Interrupts and so on and so on..... \LIBRARIES Libraries --------- Blitz 2 features a serious command library system that enables expansion of the command set by the experienced machine code programmer. Utilities to convert standard Amiga libraries and their .fd files to Blitz libraries means that libraries such as midi.library, turtle.library and of course all the external hardware support type libraries can be converted to Blitz 2 commands in a flash. Documentation is included for the user to develop their own libraries. Global variables from Blitz are available to commands added as well as full access to structures and all other commands. Memory control is all looked after by Blitz which will free up resources etc for the programmer. The first Blitz newsletter includes source for several new libraries, including a high speed serial port driver as well as commands to drive the Amiga's speech device. \AND MORE InLine Assembler ---------------- The Blitz 2 compiler also includes an inline assembler as well as commands to communicate between 68000 registers and BASIC variables etc. The assembler can also be used as a standalone machine code environment. Blitting -------- Blitz 2 supports various modes of driving the Amiga's high speed Blitter chip: Blit will transfer a graphics image onto a bitmap SBlit will use a 1 of 7 stencil bitmaps for 8 levels of Blitting priority BBlit will buffer the background in memory so it may be restored afterward QBlit keeps all blit information in a 'Queue' so all blits can be quickly erased Block is for map type blitting, super fast word boundary blitting. IFF support ----------- Blitz 2 supports both IFF graphics and sound standards so files can be loaded straight without need of conversion. File Access ----------- Sequential and Random access file handling are supported. BlitzUser Magazine ------------------ Published on a regular basis BUM keeps Blitz User's up to date, so far we have added MED support, anim brush and full scale anims, AGA palette control, serial port commands, date time extensions, an advanced runtime debugger, ARexx as well as publishing heaps and heaps of example code and tutorial material AND THERE'S MORE................. \CONTACTS For more information contact Acid Software 10 St Kevins Arcade Karangahape Road Auckland New Zealand Fax/Phone +649-358-1658 In the U.S.A. contact David Maziarka on (608) 257 9057 In the U.K. contact Benoit Varasse 0227 763 539 In Germany contact Solaris Computers in Koln In Australia contact Computer Discounts 02-281-7411