SAM Coupe Disk Drive Manual 11
The first column on the left shows the file
number. Whenever you SAVE a file, the Coupe
will give it the first available file
number. So if you have the DIRectory shown
in the example, the next file you SAVE will
automatically become program number 17. This
program number will stay the same until the
file is ERASEd (we do not list files in
alphabetical order). But if you ERASE, say,
program 9, then the next file you SAVE to
disk will become the new file number 9.
The third column shows the number of disk
sectors used. Each sector holds 512 bytes (=
0.5 Kilobyte) so to find out the number of
Kilobytes used for each file, divide the
number in the third column by 2.
The fourth column is for the file type,
which the Coupe automatically selects. These
are the different types of file available:
BASIC = BASIC program
C
= Code file
SNP 48K = Snapshot file
SCREEN$ = Screen file
D ARRAY = Numeric data array
$ ARRAY = Character array
You may not fully understand the
significance of all these types of file yet,
but don't worry. The essentials of disk
operation are explained in this manual.
Close reading of the computer manual will
explain most of the rest - and if you're
still stumped, the monthly magazine FORMAT
regularly includes articles for people who
want to learn more about the manipulation of
files.
The right-hand column of the DIRectory shows
either the start address and length of a
CODE file - advanced programmers will find
this handy - or the line at which a BASIC or
Code program autoruns on LOADing.
If you can't take all this in now, don't
worry! We'll show you how to use what you
need. Something much easier to understand is
the free space left on the disk. Remember
you start with 780K free: every time you
SAVE a new file on the disk, the computer
automatically re-calculates how much space
is left.
If your DIRectory is longer than the screen,
you will be prompted to scroll; when you
have read the directory, press <RETURN> to
see the next screen of directory entries.
Summary of Contents for SAM drive
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