BASIC 8

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BASIC 8

BASIC 8 (or BASIC 8.0) is a graphics extension for the Commodore 128. Created in 1986 by Walrusoft/Patech Software, it adds high‑resolution color graphics commands to Commodore BASIC 7.0, letting programmers use the C128’s 640×200 high‑res mode on RGB monitors. It came on floppy or ROM and included a large manual, a graphical user interface example, and Basic Paint, a high‑resolution paint program.

Background and problem
Compared with other systems, early BASICs lacked easy commands for sound, bitmap graphics, and joystick/paddle input. The C128’s BASIC 7.0 improved things, but drawing on the 640×200 VDC display was hard. To create bitmap graphics in that mode, developers typically needed tricky assembly language work, since BASIC’s built‑in commands worked mainly with the VIC‑II display.

A solution
BASIC 8.0 provides many new graphics commands that work with the C128’s high‑resolution mode, and it works with RAM/VRAM expansions, cartridges, mice, and joysticks. It also adds basic 3D graphics support. The package includes a 188‑page manual and software tools, including a GUI example and the Basic Paint bitmap editor, all built using BASIC 8.0.

History
RUN magazine’s 1986 article on Ultra Hi‑Res Graphics helped spark the idea. Walrusoft’s Louis Wallace and David Darus developed BASIC 8, with contributions from Ken French and influence from Richard Rylander’s 3D commands for the Commodore 64.

Source code and copy protection
Some BASIC 8 source code was shared publicly. The disk had no copy protection, which was tolerated at the time. Walrusoft asked users not to copy the software in the documentation, and BASIC 8 became one of the C128’s best‑selling expansions.

Sample commands (begins with @)
@CHAR — display text on a bitmap field
@MODE — switch between high‑resolution screens
@PAINT — fill a region with color or pattern
@PIXEL — get the color of a specific pixel
@STASH — copy part of a screen for later use
@WALRUS — show logo and RAM size
@WINDOWOPEN — define a drawing window on the screen

This streamlined version explains BASIC 8 in plain terms and highlights its purpose, features, and history without the original article’s details.