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Foundations 4:
Introducing AMSDOS and CP/M
When you switch your system on, the computer automatically runs internal checks to
see which peripherals are connected to the rear sockets. If the computer senses that a
disc drive(s) is connected, it will take any commands that would have been sent to the
cassette datacorder, and direct them to the disc drive. Hence, typing in any of the
commands:
load filename"
run "filename"
save "fitename"
chain "filename"
merge "filename"
chain merge "filename"
openin "filename"
openout "filename"
closein
closeout
cat
eof
input #9
line input #9
write #9
list #9
will act upon the disc instead of the cassette.
The speed write command however, always pertains to cassette operation, as
there is no such facility as 'disc speed write'.
Having sensed therefore, that a disc drive is connected, the computer reverts to
operation under the AMSDOS system. AMSDOS is an abbreviation of AMStrad Disc
Operating System, and enables you to program in normal Amstrad BASIC, with the
addition of extra commands for disc management.
These commands are called external commands, and are not available in the standard
computer without the disc drive connected. The software governing these commands is
contained in ROM (Read Only Memory) within the Disc Drive and Interface Unit.
External commands are preceeded with a bar symbol |. (You will find the | symbol by
holding down [SHIFT] and pressing the @ key.)
Some of the more common external commands that you will use are:
|a
|b
|tape (which can be sub-divided into |tape.in and |tape.out)
|disc (which can be sub-divided into |disc.in and |disc.out)
Foundation 4.1 AMSTRAD Disc Drive & Interface DDI-1 Manual