Editing Enterprise (computer) (section)

== Software ==
=== System ROM ===

EXOS (Enterprise Expandable Operating System) is contained in the system ROM, and is based on "channels". All [[peripherals]] are accessed through channels, which allows the programs to treat all input and output devices identically.<ref>{{cite book | title = Enterprise Programming Guide | year = 1984 | publisher = Enterprise Computers Ltd }}</ref> The system ROM also contains a full-screen editor, which doubles as a simple word processor. It can edit text files and BASIC programs, as well as programs written in other languages. The editor uses the joystick for cursor control.

=== IS-Basic ===

Enterprise does not include BASIC or any other programming language in its internal ROM, unlike most other home computers of the time. Its BASIC interpreter was supplied on a 16k ROM cartridge, and the language can be changed by switching the cartridge, a system similar to that of [[Acorn Computers|Acorn]]'s [[BBC Micro]].

IS-Basic adheres to the [[ANSI]] BASIC standard.<ref>{{cite book | last = Gordon | first = Alan M. | title = Super Programmer&nbsp;— Professional programming in ANSI Standard BASIC | year = 1985 | publisher = Sigma Press | isbn = 1-85058-002-2 | quote = The Enterprise 64 Computer ... is one of the few micro computers to implement Full ANSI BASIC }}</ref> It is a fully structured language whose wide set of control structures includes multi-line <code>IF...THEN...ELSE</code>, <code>SELECT...CASE</code>, <code>DO...LOOP</code> with <code>WHILE</code> and <code>UNTIL</code> conditions. The <code>WHILE</code> condition being at the begin and the <code>UNTIL</code> condition being at the end of the do-loop, and the ability to escape a loop with the <code>EXIT LOOP</code> statement. Procedures and functions can have both reference and value parameters, and local [[Variable (computer science)|variables]]. Errors and other exceptions are handled with exception handlers.

IS-Basic has the unique ability to hold multiple programs simultaneously in memory. Each program has a separate set of global variables and line numbers, but the CHAIN statement makes it possible to call one program from another and pass parameters between them. Peripherals can be controlled directly from BASIC, so there is rarely a need to use <code>POKE</code> and <code>PEEK</code> statements.
IS-Basic has the usual commands for drawing dots, lines, circles and ellipses and for filling areas, and supports [[Logo (programming language)|Logo]]-style [[turtle graphics]]. Sound commands can be entered into a queue, and executed in the background while the program execution continues.

The basic was also noted as being long-winded, an example being the command to clear the screen was commonly abbreviated to <code>CLS</code>, on the enterprise the command was <code>CLEAR SCREEN</code> with no abbreviation possible.<ref name="register">{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Tony |date=October 24, 2013 |title=Phantom Flan flinger: The story of the Elan Enterprise 128 |url=https://www.theregister.com/2013/10/24/elan_flan_enterprise_micro_is_30_years_old |work=[[The Register]]}}</ref>

=== Other software ===

Several languages besides IS-BASIC, including [[Forth (programming language)|Forth]], [[Lisp (programming language)|Lisp]], [[Pascal (programming language)|Pascal]] and [[assembly language|assembly]], were available on either ROM cartridge or tape. Basic-to-Basic converters could convert BASIC programs written for other home computers. Some 40 games, from IS and other publishers, were listed in the catalog.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Lindgren | first = Pauli | title = Mikä Enterprisessa oli vikana? | journal = Printti | issue = 13/1986 | pages =5–6 |trans-title= What was wrong with Enterprise? | language = Finnish }}</ref> IS-DOS, the [[CP/M]] compatible operating system, opened access to the wide range of CP/M programs available at that time.