General Description
This program is a computer version of the SIMON memory game available in High Street shops. I have included it because I like the way Ian Clarke has handled the sound and display and I believe there is a place in any suite of programs for a memory tester such as this.
When you run the program you will see four coloured bars grouped in a square shape. There are numbers next to each bar (1-4), and these are the keys that control any bar - key 1 controls bar 1.
If you are not familiar with SIMON style games, then read on. The computer makes a sound and flashes a bar. You must then repeat exactly what the computer has generated by pressing the key corresponding to the bar that flashed. To begin with the sounds and flashes are simple but quickly become more difficult.
The computer will tell you how many goes you survived. This runs on a Model 'A'.
Detailed Description
Lines 10-300 This sets level of play. Auto repeat and cursor are turned off. The S() array holds the time gaps for each level of play before the next sound and bar colour flash generated. Array T() holds the number of goes before the game is considered even at that level. Invalid characters generate a 'beep' and the valid characters are converted to numbers 1-5 (line 300).
310-440 These print the colour bars on the screen.
450-620 This is the actual game. The subroutines in line 510 flash the bar. The array G() holds the computer's random sound and bar flashes. The computer checks each response as you GET it in from the keyboard.
630-690 The success routine.
700-1090 These are the sound and flash routines. Line 970 sets the colour pitch for the flash colours, bars 1 and 3. Line 750 does the same for bars 2 and 4. The sound value 5 is called in 980 and 760 respectively.
1100-1230 The fail routine and the option for another go. Line 1190 could use the more sophisticated validation shown elsewhere.
Educational Notes
Young children in particular need assistance in developing retentive facilities and I think SIMON style games manage to do this. It avoids cramming useless facts into the mind, merely developing the ability to remember. I have found that first years enjoy it as an occasional end of lesson filler. It can hold the attention of a small group of youngsters for about 10 minutes.