Diamond for Atari 8-bit computers in FastBasic Author: dmsc Category: Christmas Challenge System: Atari 8-bit Language: FastBasic Len source code: 48 Len exe file: N/A Len code only: N/A Instructions: With the provided ATR floppy disk image, type FB to load FastBasic, then load the source file pressing CONTROL-L and typing "D:DIAMOND.FB", and finally run the program by pressing CONTROL-R After the program runs, press the BREAK key to interrupt and return to the FastBasic IDE with any key. Description: This program calculates the position of the stars to draw using the following formula for each value of N: X = ABS((N + 4) MOD 36 - 18) Y = N MOD 30 - 11 Any negative value of X and Y is ignored by the Atari OS, this restrict the output to the needed coordinates. This is the "expanded" source code of the program: DO INC N POSITION ABS((N + 4) MOD 36 - 18), N MOD 30 - 11 ? "*"; LOOP Comments: FastBasic is a good language to write small source code, as all keywords can be abbreviated, and the language does not use line numbers. For example, here, we use "POS." as abbreviation for "POSITION", "A." to abbreviate "ABS()" and "M." to abbreviate "MOD" You can compile a standalone executable from the FastBasic IDE by pressing CONTROL-W and typing any name ending on ".COM".