GENERAL QUESTIONS

1. What is yabasic?

YABASIC stands for Yet Another Basic and it a BASIC programming. In

PAL areas the Playstation 2 was released with a special modified version of

yabasic (which can be found on the demo disc) for developing games,

demos and routines.

2.What is the difference between the PS2 version and the original yabasic

language?

The difference between Yabasic and the PS2 Yabasic is that a few more

features have been added while some have been modified or removed.

3. Can I make games and put them onto CD/DVD?

No. You can only play and develop games on the free demo disk you

received with you PS2 (please note this is only with a PAL Playstation 2).

Load the disc in to your PS2 and select yabasic from the main menu,

where you can play and develop games. You cannot copy these onto

other discs.

4. How can I save my games?

Insert a PAL bearing Playstation 2 memory card, which you can then use

to save your games on.

5. Do I need a keyboard to use yabasic on the PS2?

No. You can use a Playstation 2 controller however a lot of users have

commented that a keyboard is easier and more convenient. Also note it

has to be a USB keyboard so it can connect too the USB port at the front

of the PS2.

6. How do I use the controller to enter code?

You can use a virtual keyboard to enter text. Use the L1 button of a

DUALSHOCK2 controller to bring up a virtual keyboard, and enter

characters with the directional button.

X - Select character

Square - Delete character

Triangle – Enter

7. What is an X-PORT?

Basically X-PORT uses software, which allows you to transfer code from

your memory card to your PC and to download code from the site

www.yabasic.co.uk and load it into your memory card.

8. Are there any books or manuals I can buy for the PS2 version of

yabasic?

There are no specific PS2 yabasic guides however Arwin van Arum's

excellent Yabasic/PS2 site is great and highly recommended:

people.a2000.nl/avanarum/...index.html

9. What is the future for the PS2 version of yabasic?

No future plans have yet been announced by Sony however it is possible

a future update will be released with the official hard drive.

FREQUENTLY ASKED PROGRAMMING QUESTIONS

1. What type of programs can I make on yabasic?

You can do text or graphic programs on yabasic.

2. What are the commands for text and graphic programs?

To find the commands visit Arwin van Arum's site at:

people.a2000.nl/avanarum/...index.html

It is a great site and highly recommended.

3. How do I open a graphics window?

Use this line of code:

open window 640,512

4. How can I clear the screen?

Use this line of code:

clear window

5. What are the double buffers?

The double buffers are generally used in programs with movement.

Basically while you look at the screen with an image, imagine another

screen behind the first one where the next image is drawn while you look

at the first one. The screens change so the first one goes to the back and

you see the new screen with the new image. While you look at that, the

next one is drawn behind and the screens change place and you see the

new screen with the new image. This cycle continues until the program

finishes.

6. How do I use the buttons on the controller to put input into the

program?

Use this line of code:

c=peek("port1")

if and (c,value> then

[use the input to do something]

endif

The value in the code above refers to the buttons you press. Every

button has its own value. Here they are:

Value Button

1 Select

2 L3

4 R3

8 Start

16 Up

32 Right

64 Down

128 Left

256 L2

512 R2

1024 L1

2048 R1

4096 Triangle

8192 Circle

16384 Cross

32768 Square

Refer to the tutorials on www.yabasic.co.uk for more code examples and

a more detailed explanation.

7. Does yabasic have any sound commands?

Yes but yabasic is very limited for sound commands. The only sound

available is the beep command, which is often used in conjunction with the

wait command:

beep

wait 1

beep

wait 2

8. What is a parse error at end of line?

If there is a parse error message when you try and run your code and

you are shown the end of the code then 9/10 times the error isn’t on the

last line. It means that you have made a mistake earlier in the code. Check

that:

each FOR is terminated by a NEXT

each WHILE is terminated by a WEND

each REPEAT is terminated by a UNTIL

all brackets are closed

If these aren’t completed properly then a parse error will occur.

9. How can I put comments on my code?

Use the REM command before a comment, which alerts the program a

remark, will follow.

10. How do I do random numbers on yabasic?

Use this code:

variable=ran(maxvalue)

This is a very general FAQ. If you have specific questions then post them

on the boards of yabasic.co.uk and you will receive help. Furthermore, the

tutorials on yabasic.co.uk are very helpful for understanding the language.

Thanks for reading and happy programming!

Pekka Kapunkkeli

FORUM QUESTIONS

1. What is this forum?

This forum is used for the discussion of the yabasic programming

language released with the PAL Playstation 2. Registered users can chat

about programing techniques, share code and even ask for help and tips.

The foum is a friendly place for chatting about yabasic and PS2 gaming.

2. How can contact the administrators?

At the moment I am the only admin receiving mail. If you have any

problems, questions, comments or suggestions the e-mail me at

henri.m.siponen@edu.hel.fi

and I will reply as soon as possible.

3. How can I join the programming forum?

If you are a registered user and have been here for at least a month then

e-mail the moderator of the projects forum, Snakedogg at

Snakedogg10@hotmail.com

4. What sort of projects are being run?

All sorts! You can join and help out the teams or even set up your own

project.

5. Don't I have to be a great programmer to get in?

Not all aspects of gaming are based on programming. You can help write

the plot or come up with ideas. No one will be judged on their

programming skills - only their effort and determination for the team and

project to do well.

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