Re: Applesoft problem with reading text files

[Ivan X <ivan@ivanx.com>]

On Sep 26, 4:08 pm, DMn2004404 <dmn2004...@gmail.com> wrote:
> While writing a "ProDOS Text File Displayer" in Applesoft BASIC, I've
> encountered a nagging problem that Applesoft BASIC has with reading
> text files. It seems to stop reading a line of text when it encounters
> a comma, so that when it encounters a line of text that says, say,
> "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit," all that
> BASIC will read is "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet", ignoring the rest of
> the line.
>
> I probably sound stupid, but it sounds like there is a command or a
> method that forces BASIC to read an entire line in a text file,
> including commas. If so, what is it?
>
> Brandon Taylor

One way to get around this is to use GET rather than INPUT. It's much
slower, as it goes one key at a time, but it accepts any key.

Also, my utility NuInput might help, as it is specifically designed to
replace Applesoft's INPUT command. Among other benefits, it accepts
commas and colons. You can get it at http://www.ivanx.com/appleii/ .
Caveat emptor: I haven't ever tested it for reading text files, though
it uses the standard key input mechanism, so it should work -- though
perhaps only under DOS 3.3, as BASIC.SYSTEM behaves quite differently
when it comes to how ProDOS interfaces with Applesoft.

I also have a new and much better NuInput 1.1 version (better
features, smaller footprint) which I have not yet released because I'm
too lazy to finish the "demo app" for it -- if you'd like to try it,
please let me know.