HP41.org

I vaguely recall, many years ago, being told of a hardware trick that could be used to adjust the duration of the PAUSE (PSE) command.

Am I now imagining things, or is there really a little trick that will adjust the length of the PSE command?

Thanks.
... Martin

I don't remember a hardware trick as such, but you can extend the duration of the PSE by pressing the SHIFT key. Note that many keys just interrupt the program during PSE. SHIFT and may a few others (USER?) don't interrupt.

J-F

Thanks for that, J-F.
What you describe doesn't ring a bell with what I so vaguely recall, but it may be that time has so distorted what I think I remember that now I just don't recognize it.
Anyway, I will experiment with your suggestion and that might solve my problem. An interesting use of SHIFT! Although I am not sure how to use it in a program. Obviously experimentation is in order, and it aids the learning process.
Thanks again!
... Martin

You could do something like this:

Code: Select all

CF 22
PSE
FC? 22
PSE
FC?C 22
PSE


Flag 22 detect numeric input while flag 23 detect alpha input.
The above code will wait three PSE if the user is not pressing a key and will skip one or two PSE if a key is pressed.
If you have a CX then you can either use GETKEY or GETKEYX who are better than PSE.
... and you still have to manage the stack content after key is/are pressed for all three functions.

Cit from "Helios" VASM listing:

* WHEN PAUSING WITH THE PRINTER TURNED OFF, THE EXTRA WORD TIMES TO
* DISCOVER THAT THE PRINTER IS OFF LENGTHEN THE PAUSE BY ABOUT 10%.

A tricky custom ROM may prolong it furthermore.