Commodore Plus 4 - The Cursor Keys

20 The BASIC Language
can also use a text-string variable as the message parameter. You can concatenate
strings to the message by adding a plus sign and the string. For example:
CHAR,2,2,"HELLO, "+N$+" HOW ARE YOU".
4. When you are using CHAR in a graphic mode, add a 1 as the final
parameter when you want to display the message in reversed image. The default is
0, no reversed image.
When you are using CHAR in a text mode, do not use the Reversed Mode
parameter. If you want to display the CHAR message in reversed image, use the
CONTROL and RVS ON keys inside the quotes, just as you would in a PRINT
command. This method does NOT work in a graphic mode.
When you are using CHAR in a text mode, you can use flashing mode and
change character color by pressing CONTROL and FLASH ON, and CON
TROL or £§ and the color key inside the quotes, just as you would in a PRINT
command. You cannot use flashing mode in a graphic mode, and you cannot use
this method to change foreground color in a graphic mode.
You can include special key commands such as the CLEAR key in a CHAR
command in a text mode but not in a graphic mode. If you include a special key
symbol in a graphic mode CHAR command, the computer prints the key's
graphic symbol, but does not execute the key command. For example, if you
include a CLEAR key inside the CHAR quotes in a graphic mode, the computer
does not clear the screen, but it does print the heart symbol that stands for the
CLEAR key in quote mode.
If you use the CHAR command in a split screen mode, the message will be
printed on the graphic screen, not on the text screen. Even if the coordinates
indicate that the message should be placed on the text area of the screen (bottom
five lines), it will be plotted on the (unseen) graphic screen instead.
Examples: 10 GRAPHIC 1,1
SO CIRCLE, 160,100, 60,50,,,,120
30 CHAR, 16,17, "ISOSCELES",1 Displays the message
ISOSCELES at column 16, row
17 in reverse.
40 CHAR, 16,18 "TRIANGLE" Displays TRIANGLE at column
16, row 18.
10 GRAPHIC 0,1 Switches to text/graphic mode.
SO IinPUT "WHAT'S YOUR TJAME"; A$
30 CHAR, 10,20,"HELLO, "+A$
CHR$ Abbr. cH
CHR$ (number)
Finds the keyboard definition represented by the character code in paren
theses. Each key on the keyboard—including key combinations such as SHIFT