ProjectCD.Chronicles showcases CPM 3.0 on the Commodore 128, highlighting both its operating system and programming features. The video demonstrates how the system boots into CPM, with applications loading into memory and running in 40-column display mode. The host notes that 80-column output is possible but requires specialized hardware for display.
Once CPM 3.0 is running, the presentation shifts to BASIC 7.0, unique to the Commodore 128. Several commands are explored, starting with INSTR, which locates one string within another and returns its position. The demonstration compares this behavior to functions familiar in other languages, showing its usefulness in structured programming.
Loop constructs such as DO...LOOP are introduced, illustrating how BASIC 7.0 moves closer to Pascal-style logic. Error handling through traps is also shown, offering a simplified precursor to exception handling found in modern languages.
Sorting algorithms come next, with a bubble sort implemented using arrays. The video demonstrates the differences between slow and fast execution modes, showing how performance can vary at different clock speeds. Input handling commands like GET are also explained, emphasizing how they differ from the more familiar INPUT.
The host highlights unimplemented commands such as QUIT and OFF, remnants from the Commodore LCD’s BASIC. These touches underline the quirks of BASIC 7.0 and how it evolved from earlier versions.
The session closes by revisiting CPM 3.0, its reliance on floppy disks, and its slower performance compared to rival systems. Even so, the Commodore 128’s ability to run CPM alongside BASIC demonstrates its flexibility. The video promises further exploration of graphics, sound, and advanced programming in future episodes.
