AquariusPlus User Guide

This PAGE is in ACTIVE development.

Table of Contents

In development

• Introduction (this page)
  • Table of Contents
  • Foreword
  • Acknowledgements
  • Colophon
• Overview
  • Introduction
  • A Brief History
  • System Architecture
  • BASIC and plusBASIC
  • Other Languages
• Setting Up the System
  • Acquiring an Aquarius⁺
  • Plugging Everything In
  • Updating the System
• Using the System
  • Command Line
  • Immediate Mode
  • Programming Mode
  • Program Editors
  • plusBASIC Shortcuts

Foreword

The Aquarius⁺ is an open-source 8-bit Z80-based computer system developed as a successor to the Mattel Aquarius computer. It has two hardware implementations, the Standard Edition and the Mini Edition, and also has emulators for Windows, MacOS, and Linux, all kept in parity with each other as system updates are released. In reimagining the system, it became apparent that new commands would be required to take advantage of the extended features of the Aquarius⁺, so a revised BASIC language, plusBASIC, was created to achieve backwards compatibility with original software, and so that new commands, functions, and objects could be incorporated into the lexicon.

This wiki document, the Aquarius⁺ User Guide is an attempt to collect and present all of this information to a wide range of users, from the newcomer to the more experienced developer. It is a companion to the plusBASIC Programmer's Reference Guide, a thorough and exhaustive collection of all commands, functions, and objects, updated in real time as features are enhanced. There are also Tutorials, Quick References, and other documents that have been around since the beginning of the project. The content in these pages will be more deliberately curated and incorporated into the Aquarius⁺ User Guide and plusBASIC Programmer's Reference Guide as the language, OS, and environment mature.

Acknowledgements

As enthusiasm for the Aquarius⁺ grows, it is important to acknowledge the dedication and passion of the volunteers who work to improve the system. This is a hobby for each of the individuals listed below, so be considerate and supportive in your interaction with them:

• Frank van den Hoef - System Architect and designer of the virtual & physical hardware, the emulators, and associated system releases, as well as lead of the "
• Curtis F Kaylor - Software Architect and programmer for the Aquarius⁺ Kernel, SYSROM, and lead of plusBASIC programmers working group
• Mack Wharton - Software developer and contributor to core Kernel modules, and Aquarius historian
• Matt Pilz - Contributor and developer of Aquarius Draw, a SCREEN, CHRSET, and PALLETTE editing tool
• Mike Hogsett - Technical writer and contributing editor of Aquarius⁺ Programmer's Reference Guide
• Roy Templeman - Developer and software publisher, contributor to plusBASIC programmers working group
• Jay Mundy - Developer and software publisher, contributor to plusBASIC programmers working group
• Sean Harrington - Aquarius⁺ system evangelist, contributing editor of the Aquarius⁺ User Guide, cheerleader, and sometimes developer

Colophon

This section describes the processes, standards, and accommodations used in editing this document.

The primary goal of this document is to create a thorough introductory guide for users new to the Aquarius⁺.

• The page title for all subsequent pages in this guide shall use "AquariusPlus User Guide: " as a prefix:
  • This is done because the Wiki engine cannot save/display the + symbol correctly as part of the page name.
  • For example, a page on sprites would be titled AquariusPlus User Guide: Sprites
  • The inline LINK to the previous example would be [Aquarius<sup>+</sup> User Guide: Sprites](AquariusPlus-User-Guide%3A-Sprites). Note that the COLON must be replaced with %3A in the link, due to the way GH Wiki delimits text.
• When referencing the ENTER/RETURN key, the following Markdown code should be used: **ENTER/RETURN**.
• For key Aquarius⁺ terms that are mentioned in the body of a page which have no corresponding links to other pages, use the following markdown examples as a guide:
  • Aquarius⁺ = **Aquarius<sup>+</sup>**
  • Aquarius⁺ User Guide = **Aquarius<sup>+</sup> User Guide**
  • Mattel Aquarius = **Mattel Aquarius**
  • plusBASIC = **plusBASIC**
  • SPRITE = **SPRITE**
  • PALETTE = **PALETTE**
• For key Aquarius⁺ documents or concepts that are mentioned in the body of a page which are explained in detail on another page in this Wiki, use the following markdown examples as a guide:
  • plusBASIC Programmer's Reference Guide = [**plusBASIC Programmer's Reference Guide**](plusBASIC-Programmer's-Reference-Guide)
  • Quick Start = [**Quick Start**](Quick-Start)
• When adding plusBASIC code in a block of sample code, contain it within <!--basic--> and <!--/basic--> tags so that it can later be identified when updates to the plusBASIC language are made. These tags will not be visible to the reader.
• For consistency, the following standards for common terms shall used in this document:
  • Bluetooth and Bluetooth LE (not BlueTooth, BT, or BTLE)
  • Wi-Fi (not Wifi or WiFi)
• On each content page, a Summary section should be included that VERY BRIEFLY summarizes the page's content, along with anchor links to those major sections. These Summary sections should NOT be included as a link in the Table of Contents.