PEEK_L

Syntax

PEEK (address) where address=0,1,2,3,… and

PEEK_W (address) where address=0,2,4,6,… and

PEEK_L (address) where address=0,2,4,6,…

Location

QL ROM

These three functions are complementary to POKE, POKE_W and POKE_L, in that instead of setting a byte, word or longword in memory, these three functions return the value of the byte, word or longword stored at the given address.

NOTE 1

Due to the way in which values are stored in memory, it can be difficult to read negative values. However, although PEEK will return an unsigned byte in the range 0..255, PEEK_W will return a signed word in the range -32768…32767 and PEEK_L a signed longword.

NOTE 2

Do not try to PEEK_W or PEEK_L with an odd address (eg. 10001) as this will cause an error unless you are using Minerva (see below).

MINERVA NOTES

As with the POKE commands, the PEEK functions on Minerva (version 1.77 or later) are very much enhanced and different. Minerva allows you to use PEEK_W and PEEK_L on odd addresses, eg:

PRINT PEEK_W(131073)

Minerva has also added to the usefulness of the PEEK, PEEK_W and PEEK_L functions by allowing them to access system variables, Minerva’s System Xtensions and SuperBASIC variables. You will need a good book on QDOS (eg. QDOS/SMS Reference Manual) to find out what the possible values are.

The syntax for these extra commands is:

Look at SuperBASIC variables

PEEK (\\SBvar)
PEEK_W (\\SBvar)
PEEK_L (\\SBvar)

PEEK (\SBvar\Offset)
PEEK_W (\SBvar\Offset)
PEEK_L (\SBvar\Offset)

Look at System variables

PEEK (!!Sysvar)
PEEK_W (!!Sysvar)
PEEK_L (!!Sysvar)

PEEK (!Sysvar!Offset)
PEEK_W (!Sysvar!Offset)
PEEK_L (!Sysvar!Offset)

Look at System Xtensions

sx_base=PEEK_L(VER$(-2) + 124)
PEEK (sx_base + offset)

SMS NOTES

SMS has altered the PEEK functions so that they are able to access System variables and SuperBASIC variables, using the same format as Minerva.

CROSS-REFERENCE

Please see in particular POKE, POKE_W, and POKE_L. PEEK$ reads a string stored in memory and contains some examples of the new variants introduced on Minerva and SMS. PEEK_F and PEEKS are also worth a look.