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About Mister Spectrum NEW

Learn about Mister Spectrum, a historical reference and research project dedicated to the Sinclair ZX Spectrum and its programming, hardware and history.

Terms of Use NEW

Mister Spectrum Terms of Use, copyright, disclaimer, privacy policy and information about cookies and tracking technologies.

Articles

ZX Spectrum VAL$ Function Explained | String Conversion in Sinclair BASIC

A detailed guide to the ZX Spectrum VAL$ function in Sinclair BASIC, explaining numeric to string conversion, differences from VAL, and use with DEF FN and user-defined functions.

Language Translation

Acorn Atom vs ZX Spectrum BASIC Keyword Comparison

Compare and convert BASIC keywords between the Acorn Atom and ZX Spectrum. A side-by-side reference for retro programmers working across both 8-bit systems.

BBC BASIC vs ZX Spectrum BASIC | Keyword Comparison

A detailed comparison of BBC BASIC and ZX Spectrum BASIC keywords, syntax and programming differences. A reference for converting and understanding 8-bit BASIC dialects.

Dragon & TRS-80 CoCo BASIC vs ZX Spectrum BASIC | Keyword Comparison

Compare Dragon 32/64 and TRS-80 Color Computer BASIC with ZX Spectrum BASIC. A cross-platform keyword and syntax reference for 8-bit programmers.

QL SuperBASIC Keywords

A detailed overview of QL SuperBASIC keywords, including examples and syntax for programming on the Sinclair QL. Compare with ZX Spectrum BASIC keywords.

ZX Spectrum BASIC Tape Commands: LOAD, SAVE, VERIFY & MERGE

Complete guide to ZX Spectrum BASIC tape commands including LOAD, SAVE, VERIFY and MERGE. Syntax explanations, examples and cassette storage programming reference.

ZX Spectrum BASIC vs Camputers Lynx BASIC Comparison

Detailed comparison of ZX Spectrum BASIC keywords and Camputers Lynx BASIC commands, highlighting differences, similarities, and usage between the two systems.

ZX Spectrum BASIC vs Oric 1 and Oric Atmos BASIC Comparison

Detailed comparison of ZX Spectrum BASIC with Oric 1 and Oric Atmos Extended BASIC keywords and commands, highlighting similarities, differences, and programming variations between the systems.

ZX Spectrum Sound Simulator NEW INCOMPLETE

Simulate the ZX Spectrum BEEP command and ZX Spectrum 128K PLAY sound in your web browser. Convert BBC BASIC SOUND and Dragon 32/64 or TRS-80 CoCo SOUND commands to ZX Spectrum BEEP.

ZX Spectrum vs Commodore 64 BASIC Keyword Comparison

Detailed comparison of ZX Spectrum BASIC and Commodore 64 BASIC keywords and commands, highlighting similarities, differences, and programming variations between the two systems.

ZX80 BASIC Keywords UPDATED

Complete list of ZX80 BASIC keywords with explanations. Explore the original Sinclair ZX80 BASIC and its differences from later ZX Spectrum BASIC.

ZX80 Subroutines to Simulate ZX Spectrum Functions

A collection of ZX80 BASIC subroutines designed to simulate selected ZX Spectrum functions, extending the capabilities of the original Sinclair ZX80.

ZX81 BASIC Keywords

Complete list of ZX81 BASIC keywords with explanations. Explore Sinclair ZX81 BASIC and its relationship to ZX80 and ZX Spectrum programming.

Spectrum Variants

Timex Sinclair 2068 BASIC Commands and Comparison

Guide to Timex Sinclair 2068 BASIC commands with comparison to ZX Spectrum BASIC. Syntax differences, extended commands and programming reference for TS2068 systems.

YS MegaBASIC Extended Keywords

Complete list of YS MegaBASIC extended keywords for ZX Spectrum. These additional commands complement standard Spectrum BASIC for advanced programming.

ZX Spectrum +128K Extra BASIC Keywords Explained

The extra keywords of +128K models

Hardware

ZX Spectrum Backplane, Card Frame & Modular Expansion Systems

A historical catalogue of ZX Spectrum backplane, card frame and modular expansion systems including Velleman, USP, MUKBUS, Gordon Microframe and Basicare products available in the 1980s.

ZX Spectrum Expansion Systems (Part 2)

A historical archive of additional ZX Spectrum expansion systems including Forth cartridges and specialist hardware products from the 1980s.

ZX Spectrum Input Devices & Controllers

A historical overview of ZX Spectrum input devices including keyboards, joysticks, light pens, graphics tablets and specialist controllers available during the 1980s.

ZX Spectrum Joystick Interfaces & ROM Cartridge Interfaces

Explore our comprehensive list of ZX Spectrum joystick interfaces and ROM cartridge interfaces. Compare AGF, Kempston, Protec, and Sinclair peripherals for your Spectrum.

ZX Spectrum Keyboards & Keyboard Accessories

Browse our comprehensive collection of ZX Spectrum keyboards and accessories. Compare original, professional, and overlay keyboards for your Spectrum.

ZX Spectrum MIDI Interfaces & MIDI Keyboards

Discover MIDI interfaces and MIDI keyboard peripherals for the ZX Spectrum. Explore hardware and sound expansion options to connect MIDI devices with your Spectrum system.

ZX Spectrum Sound Amplifiers & Synthesizers

Explore ZX Spectrum sound peripherals including sound amplifiers and sound synthesizers. Learn how these add‑ons improve beeper audio and provide multi‑channel sound through AY chips.

ZX Spectrum Speech Synthesizers and Speech Recognition

Explore ZX Spectrum speech synthesizers and speech recognition peripherals. Compare hardware add-ons that add voice output and speech capabilities to classic Spectrum systems.

Utilities

ZX Spectrum Attribute Explorer UPDATED INCOMPLETE

Explore ZX Spectrum colour attributes using INK, PAPER, BRIGHT and FLASH controls.

ZX Spectrum Display Effects Explorer UPDATED INCOMPLETE

Explore ZX Spectrum OVER, INVERSE, transparent attributes, contrast, BRIGHT and FLASH using interactive 8x8 character grids.

ZX Spectrum Keyboard Matrix NEW

Explore the ZX Spectrum 16K and 48K keyboard matrix.

ZX Spectrum Memory Map Explorer NEW

Explore the ZX Spectrum memory layout and see how ROM, display memory, system variables, RAM, dynamic memory and hardware expansions affect the Z80 memory map.

ZX Spectrum RND Generator NEW INCOMPLETE

A ZX Spectrum RND and RANDOMIZE calculator showing how the original Sinclair BASIC pseudo-random number generator works.

ZX Spectrum Screen Memory Calculator UPDATED INCOMPLETE

Interactive ZX Spectrum display file and attribute address calculator.

ZX Spectrum TAP Loader Simulator NEW INCOMPLETE

Load a ZX Spectrum TAP file and simulate the tape loading signal, oscilloscope, sound, Spectrum border and decoded loading blocks.

ZX Spectrum UDG Designer NEW INCOMPLETE

Design ZX Spectrum User Defined Graphics with an 8x8 to 24x24 pixel grid, transformations and BASIC output.

Uncategorised

The Amstrad Spectrum Computers

The history and development of the Amstrad-built ZX Spectrum computers, from the ZX Spectrum +2 and +3 to the +2A and +2B, and the later revival of the Spectrum.

ZX Printer Simulator NEW INCOMPLETE

Interactive ZX Spectrum Printer simulator with a 256-dot scan engine.

ZX Spectrum 16K and 48K NEW

A history of the original 16K and 48K ZX Spectrum, covering its development, hardware revisions, memory, display, keyboard, sound, software, peripherals and development into the ZX Spectrum+.

ZX Spectrum Backplane, Card Frame & Modular Expansion Systems

ZX Spectrum Floating-Point Number Explorer NEW INCOMPLETE

Explore the ZX Spectrum five-byte floating-point and short integer formats, including the famous INT -65536 behaviour.

ZX Spectrum Keyboard Explorer NEW INCOMPLETE

Interactive ZX Spectrum keyboard explorer showing key legends, BASIC keywords, SYMBOL SHIFT functions and keyboard matrix information.

ZX Spectrum Variable Memory Explorer NEW INCOMPLETE

Explore how ZX Spectrum BASIC variables are stored byte-by-byte in memory.

ZX Spectrum+ NEW

The history of the ZX Spectrum+, covering its redesigned case, keyboard, hardware, compatibility, documentation, official upgrade and development into the 128K Spectrum.

The ZX Spectrum+ 128K, developed with Investrónica for the Spanish market, introduced 128K of RAM, AY-3-8912 sound, 128K BASIC, memory paging and new facilities while retaining compatibility with the original ZX Spectrum.