Atari 800

Atari BASIC Reference Guide 147
Program Recorder C:
Screen Editor
E:
Keyboard K:
Printer P:
Display S:
Disk D:
Program Recorder
An I/ O channel can be opened for the Program Recorder for
either input or output, but not both at the same time. When the
OPEN statement is executed , the tape must be at the correct
location before proceding .
When an OPEN statement is executed for output to the Program
Recorder, the tone sounds twice . This is a reminder for the
operator to press Play and Record on the Program Recorder,
followed by Return on the keyboard. For input, the tone sounds
once to remind the operator to press Play on the Program
Recorder, followed by Return on the keyboard.
The third argument of an OPEN statement for the Program
Recorder ca n be either 0 or 128. The fi les are recorded with
shorter gaps between the records when the third argument is
128.
When an OPEN statement is executed, and the correct levers on
the Program Recorder are pressed, the Program Recorder
begins operating as soon as the Return key on the keyboard is
pressed. The tape keeps moving until a set of data (128 bytes) is
accumulated for output. While data is being accumulated,
nothing is recorded on the tape. As a result, if a long delay occurs
from the period when the OPEN statement is executed to when
the information is recorded , a long gap appears on the tape.
When a long section of blank tape (30 sec. or more) is
encountered during input, a Device Timeout error occurs. To
avoid these errors,
the I/ O channel should be closed whenever a
delay in the output procedure occurs.