.mkswap /nextzxos/swp-0.p3s 8

Swap partitions named swp-0.p3s to swp-9.p3s which are present in the c:/nextzxos/ folder will be available for machine-code application programs to use (via the IDEDOS API).

Printing

NextZXOS supports printing via ZX Printer, Timex Sinclair 2040 and compatibles like the Alphacom 32. It also supports printing via the WiFi module – if one is installed – and you have access to a Pipsta™ printer or a printer compatible with D. Rimron's PrintShop as found on: https://github.com/StalePixels/PrintShop.

To print a listing you only need the LLIST command while to print any string to the printer you need to use LPRINT. Layer 0 and Layer 1 screens can also be printed by using the COPY command given by itself with no options. In order to demonstrate this we will have to jump a bit ahead. Load one of the games from c:/games/Classic48/ (preferably one with a loading screen). Once you see the screen press the NMI button on the left side of your ZX Spectrum Next. A menu will appear. Using the cursor keys go to the Screenshot menu and press ENTER. Select Standard and Press ENTER. Press SPACE and type in a name (for example: test.scr) Press ENTER again and then press the reset button on the side of your computer or F4 on your keyboard. Re-enter NextBASIC and navigate to the location you were in. Then do the following:

LOAD "test.scr" SCREEN$:COPY

The screenshot will print on your printer!

Since you're undoubtedly observant you may have seen the Print item in the Screenshot submenu when you pressed the NMI button. That will do the exact same thing! But more on that in its own section below. There are also, other ways to print which we will examine in the next chapter.

The SPECTRUM command

There is a command that's a bit of a jack of all trades; it can switch modes, load programs in various snapshot formats, change colour schemes, adjust the displayed columns for the editor and finally control and adjust the screensaver¹⁶ function! Let's start with the simplest iteration of SPECTRUM which is the command without any options. This will take us into 48K mode preserving any NextBASIC program we have in memory but losing all Next mode features except for the dot commands which will be still available. If the program you have loaded in memory is using specialised NextBASIC features, LIST may produce gibberish (like graphics in the place of where commands would have been) and running it will probably produce a C Nonsense in BASIC error. Let's demonstrate. Type:

LOAD "c:/nextzxos/mounter.bas"
LIST
SPECTRUM
LIST
RUN

If you are in the standard ZX 48K mode, you will need to know the keywords, printed on your keyboard, but assuming you can find where CAT is (Press EXTEND then SYMBOL SHIFT and 9), type:

CAT

You will receive an O Invalid stream, 0:1 error. That's because 48K ZX Basic is unaware of any mass storage medium except for the ZX Microdrive and CAT is made to work with

¹⁶ A screensaver is a protective function for your display. Some displays can damage themselves if they are displaying the same picture for a prolonged period of time. A screensaver program, produces movement on screen automatically after a period of inactivity to prevent that type of damage.