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player$("score") = 9999
player$("address,city") = "New York"
[main]
LET json$ = ASJSON(player$)
PRINT FN ProcessPlayer$(json$)
END
```
**Notes:**
- The function receives a full independent copy — changes inside do not affect the original array
- Nested keys work normally: `arr$("address,city")` etc.
- Overhead is similar to copying an array manually; acceptable for most use cases
---
## Program Structure
```basic
' ---- 1. FUNCTIONS (or INCLUDE "functions.bas") ----
DEF FN Clamp$(v$, lo$, hi$)
IF v$ < lo$ THEN RETURN lo$
IF v$ > hi$ THEN RETURN hi$
RETURN v$
END DEF
' ---- 2. INIT (declare ALL constants & variables here, not inside loops) ----
' Performance: variables declared outside loops avoid repeated existence checks.
[inits]
LET SCREEN_W# = 640
LET SCREEN_H# = 480
LET MAX_SPEED# = 5
SCREEN 0, SCREEN_W#, SCREEN_H#, "My Game"
LET x$ = 320
LET y$ = 240
LET running$ = TRUE
' ---- 3. MAIN LOOP ----
[main]
WHILE running$
IF INKEY = KEY_ESC# THEN running$ = FALSE
GOSUB [sub:update]
GOSUB [sub:draw]
SLEEP 16
WEND
SOUNDSTOPALL
END
' ---- 4. SUBROUTINES (or INCLUDE "subs.bas") ----
[sub:update]
IF KEYDOWN(KEY_LEFT#) THEN x$ = x$ - MAX_SPEED#
IF KEYDOWN(KEY_RIGHT#) THEN x$ = x$ + MAX_SPEED#
RETURN
[sub:draw]
SCREENLOCK ON
LINE (0,0)-(SCREEN_W#, SCREEN_H#), 0, BF
CIRCLE (x$, y$), 10, RGB(0, 255, 0), 1
SCREENLOCK OFF
RETURN
```
**Key conventions:**
- Variables: `camelCase$` | Constants: `UPPER_SNAKE_CASE#` | Functions: `PascalCase$`
- Labels: `[gameLoop]` for jump targets, `[sub:name]` for subroutines
- Image/sound/shape IDs are stable integer handles — **always** store as constants: `LET MY_IMG# = LOADIMAGE("x.png")` — never use `$` variables for these
- Group many IDs → use arrays: `DIM sprites$` / `sprites$("player") = LOADIMAGE(...)` — but prefer named constants when count is small
---
## Performance Tips
- `LINE (0,0)-(W,H), 0, BF` to clear — much faster than `CLS`
- Always wrap draw code in `SCREENLOCK ON` / `SCREENLOCK OFF`
- Store `RGB()` results in constants/variables — don't call RGB in hot loops
- Declare all variables in `[inits]`, not inside loops or subroutines
- Use `FastTrig` for any loop calling trig hundreds of times per frame
- `SLEEP 16` in game loop → ~60 FPS
---
## IDE Features (v1.3)
### New File Template
When the IDE opens with no file (or a new file), this template is auto-inserted:
```basic
' BazzBasic version 1.3
' https://ekbass.github.io/BazzBasic/
```
### Beginner's Guide
- **IDE:** Menu → **Help** → **Beginner's Guide** — opens `https://github.com/EkBass/BazzBasic-Beginners-Guide/releases` in default browser
- **CLI:** `bazzbasic.exe -guide` or `bazzbasic.exe -help` — prints URL to terminal
### Check for Updates
- **IDE:** Menu → **Help** → **Check for updated...** — IDE reports if a newer version is available
- **CLI:** `bazzbasic.exe -checkupdate`