Summary - AI is no match for a real Atari Basic coder.... - All of the below is created by the AI Bot:
Atari Bulletin Board System (BBS) code refers to the software and programming used to create and run a BBS on an Atari computer. A BBS is a computer system that allows users to communicate with each other by posting messages, sharing files, and engaging in other activities through a centralized system.
There were several different BBS programs available for the Atari, but one of the most popular was called "BBS Express!" This program was written in Atari BASIC and provided a menu-driven interface for users to interact with the BBS.
Here is an example of some Atari BASIC code that could be used to create a simple BBS:
rubyCopy code
10 REM *** ATARI BBS ***
20 REM *** MAIN MENU ***
30 PRINT "ATARI BBS"
40 PRINT "1. POST MESSAGE"
50 PRINT "2. READ MESSAGES"
60 PRINT "3. UPLOAD FILE"
70 PRINT "4. DOWNLOAD FILE"
80 PRINT "5. QUIT"
90 INPUT "SELECT OPTION: ", A
100 IF A = 1 THEN GOTO 200
110 IFA = 2 THEN GOTO 300
120 IF A = 3 THEN GOTO 400
130 IF A = 4 THEN GOTO 500 140 IF A = 5THEN END
150 PRINT "INVALID OPTION. TRY AGAIN."
160 GOTO 90
200 REM *** POST MESSAGE ***
210 INPUT "ENTER YOUR NAME: ", NAME$
220 INPUT "ENTER YOUR MESSAGE: ", MESSAGE$
230 OPEN"MESSAGES.DAT" FOR APPEND AS #1
240 PRINT #1, NAME$; ": "; MESSAGE$
250 CLOSE #1
260PRINT "MESSAGE POSTED!"
270 GOTO 90
300 REM *** READ MESSAGES ***
310 OPEN "MESSAGES.DAT"FOR INPUT AS #1
320 WHILE NOT EOF(1)
330 INPUT #1, MESSAGE$
340 PRINT MESSAGE$
350 END
360 CLOSE #1
370 GOTO 90
400 REM *** UPLOAD FILE ***
410 INPUT "ENTER FILE NAME: ", FILE$
420 INPUT "ENTER FILE DESCRIPTION: ", DESC$
430 INPUT "ENTER FILE TYPE: ", TYPE$
440INPUT "ENTER FILE SIZE: ", SIZE
450 OPEN "FILES.DAT" FOR APPEND AS #1
460 PRINT #1, FILE$; ","; DESC$; ","; TYPE$; ","; SIZE
470 CLOSE #1
480 PRINT "FILE UPLOADED!"
490 GOTO90
500 REM *** DOWNLOAD FILE ***
510 OPEN "FILES.DAT" FOR INPUT AS #1
520 WHILE NOTEOF(1)
530 INPUT #1, FILE$
540 PRINT FILE$
550 WEND
560 CLOSE #1
570 INPUT "ENTER FILE NAME TO DOWNLOAD: ", FILE$
580 OPEN "FILES.DAT" FOR INPUT AS #1
590 WHILE NOT EOF(1)
600INPUT #1, LINE$
610 IF LEFT$(LINE$, LEN(FILE$)) = FILE$ THEN
620 PRINT LINE$
630 END IF
640 WEND
650 CLOSE #1
660 GOTO 90This code creates a basic menu system with options to post and read messages, upload and download files, and quit the BBS. The messages and files are stored in separate data files ("MESSAGES.DAT" and "FILES.DAT"), and the code uses BASIC's file input/output commands (OPEN, PRINT, INPUT, CLOSE) to read and write data to these files.
While this code is fairly simple, it provides a foundation for building a more complex BBS with additional features and functionality.
I have been sending ChatGPT information about AMIS and Atari Basic Communications Code.. Its learning well:
The code you provided seems to be a part of the AMIS BBS program, responsible for handling modem communication, user input, and various functionalities of the BBS. Let's break down some of the key elements in the code:
Modem Communication: The code initializes and communicates with the modem. It uses XIO statements to manage modem I/O (input/output). For instance, it waits for the modem to ring, answers the call, and communicates with the modem for data transfer.
User Input Handling: The code defines a routine for handling user input. It listens for characters sent by the user via the modem connection. The input characters are processed, and the appropriate actions are taken. The code handles backspace (BS$), delete (DEL$), and carriage return (CR$) characters to manage user input.
Message Handling: The BBS is centered around message bases, where users can read and post messages. The code likely manages displaying the number of messages and the last message number.
Time and Date Display: The BBS displays the current time and date using the TIME and TODAY$ functions. This information is likely presented to users as part of the BBS interface.
Functional Menus: While the provided code doesn't show the entire menu structure, BBS systems typically use menus to allow users to navigate various options. These menus could include options like reading messages, posting messages, downloading files, and more.
Subroutines and Flow Control: The code uses GOSUB statements to call subroutines, which are likely defined elsewhere in the program. These subroutines help in organizing the code and making it more modular.
Error Handling: The code uses TRAP ERR to handle errors gracefully. It checks for certain conditions and takes appropriate actions to handle interruptions or errors.
Control Characters: The code uses control characters (e.g., CHR$(C5), CHR$(C8)) to perform specific actions, such as detecting the state of the connection or performing data transfers.
Remember that this is a brief overview, and the provided code snippets are only a part of the entire AMIS BBS program. The complete program would likely include more routines for handling user interactions, managing message bases, file downloads/uploads, user authentication, and more.
The AMIS BBS software represents a historical piece of computer communication history, showcasing how early BBS systems were built using BASIC programming on Atari 8-bit computers. It's fascinating to see how technology and programming practices have evolved since then.
Man, I hope no one asks ChatGPT to code the next AI
Sadly, I'm impressed that its basically something usable at a low level.
@southernamis You say that AI is no match for a real Atari Basic coder, yet it provided code that comes awfully close to something usable for general purpose. It won't be long before all programs generated by bots will be indistinguishable from human generated programs. -JP
Very interesting... who's ruby?😁
I further chatted with the bot to ask how a modem would connect. Here is what I got back: