READ
Syntax
READ <var or array_elem>[, <var or array_elem>, <var or array_elem>...]
READ gets the next data expression available from a DATA line definition and stores it into a variable (not arrays) or an array element. Instead of using INPUT() function or LET assignments, you can write a sequence (or several of them) of READ which might result in a compact and more readable code to initialize data variables.
READ gets the items one after another. This order can be changed using RESTORE.
Example
DIM a(9) as UByte
FOR i = 0 TO 9: REM 0 TO 9 => 10 elements
READ a(i)
PRINT a(i)
NEXT i
REM notice the a(n) data entries
DATA 2, 4, 6 * i, 7, 0
DATA a(0), a(1), a(2), a(3), a(4)
This will output:
2
4
12
7
0
2
4
12
7
0
Expressions are read and evaluated one by one, when the READ sentence is executed. When a DATA line is finished, the next one in the listing will be read. Traditionally if there's no more data to read, an OUT of Data error happened. In ZX Basic, the read sequence restarts from the beginning. The reading sequence can be altered with RESTORE
Remarks
- This statement is Sinclair BASIC compatible.