Picocalc MMBASIC Startup

This document describes the three-stage autorun startup system used on this Picocalc.

Overview

Startup uses a three-stage approach:

1. FLASH.BAS — a minimal hook file stored in flash memory that runs automatically at boot
2. AUTO.BAS — the main environment setup script stored on the SD card (B:\AUTO\AUTO.BAS)
3. MENU.BAS — A menu of programs in the \BASIC directory (B:\AUTO\MENU.BAS)

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Stage 1: FLASH.BAS (Flash Hook)

FLASH.BAS is a minimal program whose only job is to call the second-stage loader on the SD card.

Saving to Flash

Save or update the file using one of:

FLASH SAVE 1

or, if slot 1 is already occupied:

FLASH OVERWRITE 1

Setting Autorun

To run FLASH.BAS automatically at every startup:

OPTION AUTORUN 1

This tells MMBASIC to run the program stored in flash slot 1 on every boot.

Stage 2: AUTO.BAS (Environment Setup)

Located at B:\AUTO\AUTO.BAS, this script handles all environment configuration:

• Sets up the runtime environment
• Changes the current directory to B:\BASIC
• Launches the menu by running B:\AUTO\MENU

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Stage 3: MENU.BAS (Program Menu)

Located at B:\AUTO\MENU.BAS, this script provides an interactive paginated menu of all .BAS files in the current directory (B:\BASIC).

Features

• Scans the current directory for all *.BAS files using DIR$()
• Sorts the file list alphabetically using a bubble sort
• Displays up to 9 files per page with page X of Y indicator
• "Next Page" option only appears when more pages exist
• Select a program by number to launch it, or 0 to go to the next page

Operation

1. Loads all *.BAS filenames into array A$() (supports up to 100 files)
2. Sorts the array alphabetically
3. Displays a paginated menu with a yellow header and green file listing
4. On selection, briefly displays the filename being launched, then runs it via RUN

Key Variables

Variable	Purpose
A$()	Array holding filenames
N	Total number of files found
MAXP	Total number of pages (INT((N-1)/9)+1)
PAGE	Current page number
SEL	Calculated array index of selected file

Sample Output

Basic Programs Menu   Page: 1 of 3
────────────────────────────────────────
1             ADVENT.BAS
2             BANNER.BAS
3             CALENDAR.BAS
4             CHESS.BAS
5             ELIZA.BAS
6             GAMES.BAS
7             HELLO.BAS
8             LIFE.BAS
9             LUNAR.BAS

 0            Next Page     ---->
────────────────────────────────────────
Select Program #? _

Boot Sequence

Power On
   ▼
MMBASIC starts
   ▼
Program stored in FLASH 1 is run (FLASH.BAS)
   ▼
FLASH.BAS calls B:\AUTO\AUTO.BAS
   ▼   
AUTO.BAS sets up environment, changes dir to B:\BASIC
   ▼
AUTO.BAS runs B:\AUTO\MENU
   ▼
MENU.BAS displays paginated list of *.BAS files
   ▼
User selects a program → RUN A$(SEL)

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File Summary

File	Location	Purpose
FLASH.BAS	Flash slot 1	Minimal autorun hook; calls AUTO.BAS
AUTO.BAS	B:\AUTO\AUTO.BAS	Environment setup and menu launcher
MENU.BAS	B:\AUTO\MENU.BAS	Paginated interactive program menu