Sinclair BASIC is a popular version of the BASIC (Beginner's All purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) programming language. Originally written for the ZX80, it is now available for a wide range of computers in native versions or via emulation.

Sinclair Extended BASIC is intended as a universal Open Source update to this language to fix the bugs, improve the editor, and resolve hardware conflicts between various versions of the ZX Spectrum. The emphasis is on maintaining compatibility with the majority of Spectrum software while allowing for platform independence. This can be achieved by directing all I/O through a revised system of channels and streams. Using this approach it becomes possible, in theory, to port the language to run natively on other Z80 based machines. These machines would then be able to run not only all Sinclair Basic programs, but also any Spectrum machine code programs which use the ROM routines for I/O access.

At the present stage of development it has been tested and found to work with every official Sinclair, Timex and Amstrad produced Spectrum compatible including the modified ZX Spectrum +3e. A special version called SE Basic will be the default BASIC in the next firmware release for the ZX Spectrum SE. It is compatible with most mass storage devices including the Interface 1, DISCiple, +D, and the ResiDOS based ZXATASP and ZXCF IDE interfaces. It should work on all Spectrum emulators, and is pre-installed in vbSpec and SPIN. It will also work with Spectrum emulators for the SAM Coupé and Sprinter. Support for the extra hardware of these machines will be added after the Spectrum version is complete. I would also like to hear from anyone interested in developing a Sinclair Extended BASIC 'core' for the C-One reconfigureable computer.

Amstrad does not permit the distribution of its copyright material with third-party hardware. Therefore if you are going to use a Spectrum clone, you must own a genuine Sinclair, Timex, or Amstrad produced machine (including the e-m@iler+) or we cannot provide you with support. Having said that, Sinclair Extended BASIC is compatible with the Pentagon, SpeccyBob, Chrome and ZXGATE. It is also the basis for the 24-bit version of BASIC in Richard Kelsh's eZ80 based Sparky eZX.

In addition to providing a homepage for Sinclair Extended BASIC, these pages are intended as a general resource for Sinclair BASIC users. In the History section you can discover how Sinclair Basic was created. In the Interpreters section you can trace its evolution and perhaps find a version for your machine. The Extended BASIC section contains the latest news on the development status of the project. The License section will eventually provide an online version of the Sinclair Extended BASIC Open Source License. The Manuals section will contain PDF versions of the manuals for different versions of Sinclair BASIC, including Sinclair Extended BASIC (at present it just contains the quick reference guide). The Source section contains the source code for the current release of Sinclair Extended BASIC, and links to the source code for other versions. The Downloads section contains the latest release of Sinclair Extended BASIC and other related software.