PostgreSQL Gains Commodore 64 BASIC with PL/CBMBASIC Extension

Introduction to PL/CBMBASIC

PL/CBMBASIC is a procedural language extension for PostgreSQL that allows users to run Commodore 64 BASIC V2. It utilizes the original Microsoft/Commodore BASIC interpreter from 1982, following a recompilation process by Michael Steil's cbmbasic project. This enables the nostalgia of working with C64 BASIC while leveraging PostgreSQL's capabilities.

How It Works

The extension works by executing function bodies written in BASIC. Each function call simulates a power cycle of the C64, initializing the RAM and CPU registers, with execution times around 15 to 20 microseconds. This speed allows it to handle operations per row in larger tables efficiently.

Function Definition

Functions in PL/CBMBASIC are defined with mandatory line numbers, starting from 10. Parameters are injected into the BASIC code as specific variable types. For instance, a string parameter named 'who' appears as 'WHO$' in BASIC syntax, and numerical parameters as 40-bit floats.

Validation Mechanism

The extension includes a validator that ensures compliance with BASIC V2's variable naming rules during function creation. This checks for keyword conflicts, preventing runtime errors that programmers encountered historically. When a conflict arises, an appropriate error message is generated.