ZBasic Language Reference
3
ZBasic Microcontrollers
A subroutine is invoked by using the Call statement that specifies the name of the subroutine to invoke
and, optionally, the parameters to pass to the subroutine. A function is invoked by using its name in place
of a value (directly or in an expression) and specifying the parameters, if any, that are to be passed to the
function.
This concludes a rather brief introduction to the ZBasic language. The remaining sections of this manual
describe in more detail the various elements of ZBasic including data types, variables, constants,
statements, subroutines and functions. Also, more advanced topics like multi-tasking, queues, serial
communications and others are presented.
1.1 The ZBasic System Library
The ZBasic System Library provides a rich collection of several hundred subroutines and functions that
you can use to quickly add functionality to your application. The routines fall into several fundamental
categories including mathematical functions, string-oriented routines, I/O-related routines, type
conversion functions, etc. The routines are fully documented in the ZBasic System Library Reference
Manual.
1.2 The ZX Microcontroller Family
The ZBasic language was designed to be well suited for programming microcontrollers. It is based on a
subset of Microsoft’s popular Visual Basic (VB6) with modifications and extensions to address the special
needs of microcontroller programming. The ZX series microcontrollers were designed to run ZBasic
programs efficiently. At the time of publication, the ZX series devices available from Elba Corp. include
several models with different capabilities, based on several different CPU types as shown in the table
below. The various ZX devices will be referred to collectively in this document as simply ZX unless the
context requires a specific reference to a particular model.
Underlying CPU Type for ZX Devices
Device
CPU
Status
ZX-24, ZX-40, ZX-44
mega32
discontinued
ZX-24a, ZX-40a, ZX-44a
mega644
discontinued
ZX-24p, ZX-40p, ZX-44p,
ZX-24n, ZX-40n, ZX-44n
mega644P
current
ZX-24r, ZX-40r, ZX-44r,
ZX-24s, ZX-40s, ZX-44s,
ZX-40t, ZX-44t
mega1284P
current
ZX-1281, ZX-1281n
mega1281
current
ZX-1280, ZX-1280n
mega1280
current
ZX-328n, ZX-328l, ZX-32n, ZX-32l
mega328P
current
ZX-24x, ZX-32a4
xmega32A4
current
ZX-24u, ZX-128a4u
xmega128A4U
current
ZX-128a1
xmega128A1
current
The ZX-24, ZX-24a, ZX-24p, ZX-24n, ZX-24r and ZX-24s are 24-pin DIP format modules that are pin-
compatible with the Parallax Basic Stamp and the NetMedia BX-24 microcontrollers. However, many
improvements have been made with respect to those pioneering products in order to provide a more
powerful and flexible programming platform. Because of its ready-to-use configuration it is an ideal
starting point for someone just beginning to use microcontrollers. Yet, it has enough powerful capabilities
for experts and advanced users as well. See Appendix D for more detailed information on the ZX-24
series devices including several suggested connection diagrams and detailed descriptions of the function
of each pin. The ZX-24x has the same basic pinout as other 24-pin ZX devices but it operates on a
maximum of 3.6 volts. Moreover, some of the special functions (USART, PWM, I2C, etc.) are on different
pins as compared to the other 24-pin ZX devices. Additional information on pin assignments can be
found in the ZBasic System Library Reference Manual.
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