How to Enter and Debug a TI-BASIC Program in CEmu?

[PaulStSmith]

I'm trying to use CEmu to enter and debug a TI-BASIC program, but I couldn't find clear instructions on how to do this in the documentation. Specifically, I have the following questions:

1. How can I enter a TI-BASIC program into the emulator?

   • Is there a way to type the program directly inside the emulator, or do I need to load an existing program file?
   • If I need to load a file, what format does it need to be in, and how do I transfer it into the emulator?

2. How do I debug a TI-BASIC program in CEmu?

   • Can I set breakpoints, step through execution, or inspect variables while running the program?

3. Are there any guides or tutorials available for using CEmu with TI-BASIC?

   • If there are specific steps or external resources, I would appreciate any references.

I would greatly appreciate any guidance or documentation references on this topic. Thanks in advance!

[adriweb]

It looks like we need to write better docs/tutorials, fair enough :)

As for 1: no editor in CEmu currently, only a "viewer" is available.
You can transfer your 8xp files as usual (by drag'n'drop on the screen, via the CLI, via the recently-sent files dock...)

The ti-basic debugger dock shows a few features that allow you to step through the program once execution is paused there. At that time you can also use the Variables dock to look at your variables in real time, yes.

I'll see about a proper wiki page on the repo soon, with more details.

[PaulStSmith]

Thanks for the reply.
But I don’t (yet) own a TI84; it’s in the mail. I bought it because my numeric calculus teacher wants to use it in her course truncate/rounded arithmetic. Asking around, I suggested the TI84 as it is programmable, and I can create a solver for that arithmetic.
I don’t own a TI84, so I don't know the “8xp” file format. Is it a regular TXT?

[adriweb]

Nope, 8xp is a TI-specific binary format. There are official and third party tools to create/modify them.

If you're on Windows or macOS, you'll likely just end up using TI Connect CE for transfers and program editing though.

(Note: you say "TI84" but that's not clear which model it is, there are quite a few. CEmu is made for the 84+CE, won't work with the original 84+ or the 84+CSE)

[PaulStSmith]

Do you know if I can use the TI Connect CE with the emulator?
I tried, but the TI Connect does not recognize the emulator as a plugged-in calculator.

[adriweb]

No, you have to drag'n'drop files in (onto the screen) to transfer them from your computer to the emulator, and use the Variables dock to transfer them from the emu to your computer.

[PaulStSmith]

Fair enough.
But if the 8xp is a binary file, and TI Connect does not recognize the emulator as a calculator, how can I transfer a TI-Basic program to the calculator if I only have it in text form?

[adriweb]

TI Connect CE has a TI-Basic editor that makes an 8xp out of your code.