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Samuel Gomes edited this page Nov 8, 2022 · 1 revision

The LINE statement is used in graphic SCREEN (statement) modes to create lines or boxes.

Syntax

LINE [STEP] [(column1, row1)]-[STEP] ( column2, row2 ), color[, [{B|BF}], style%]

Parameter(s)

  • The STEP keyword make column and row coordinates relative to the previously coordinates set by any graphic statement.
  • The optional parameters (column1, row1) set the line's starting point.
  • The dash and second coordinate parameters (column2, row2) must be designated to complete the line or box.
  • The INTEGER color attribute or LONG _RGB32 32 bit color value sets the drawing color. If omitted, the current _DEST page's _DEFAULTCOLOR is used.
  • Optional B keyword creates a rectangle (box) using the start and end coordinates as diagonal corners. BF creates a box filled.
  • The style% signed INTEGER value sets a dotted pattern to draw the line or rectangle outline.

Description

  • Creates a colored line between the given coordinates. Can be drawn partially off screen.
  • B creates a box outline with each side parallel to the program screen sides. BF creates a filled box.
  • style% can be used to create a dotted pattern to draw the line.
    • B can be used with a style% to draw the rectangle outline using the desired pattern.
    • BF ignores the style% parameter. See examples 2, 3 and 4 below.
  • The graphic cursor is set to the center of the program window on program start. Using the STEP keyword makes the coordinates relative to the current graphic cursor.
  • LINE can be used in any graphic screen mode, but cannot be used in the default screen mode 0 as it is text only.

Example(s)

Following one line with another by omitting the second line's first coordinate parameter bracket entirely:

SCREEN 12

LINE (100, 100)-(200, 200), 10    'creates a line
LINE -(400, 200), 12              'creates a second line from end of first

END

Explanation: The full equivalent LINE statement would be: LINE(200, 200)-(400, 200), 12

Creating styled lines and boxes with the LINE statement. Different style values create different dashed line spacing.

SCREEN 12

LINE (100, 100)-(300, 300), 10, , 63    'creates a styled line
LINE (100, 100)-(300, 300), 12, B, 255  'creates styled box shape

END

Explanation: The first diagonal dashed green line bisects the red dashed square from Top Left to Bottom Right Corners.

The style value sets each 16 pixel line section as the value's bits are set on or off:

SCREEN 13
_FULLSCREEN 'required in QB64 only
_DELAY 5
FOR i% = 1 TO 2 ^ 15 'use exponential value instead of -32768
    COLOR 15:LOCATE 10, 5: PRINT i%;
    LINE (10, 60)-(300, 60), 0 'erase previous lines
    LINE (10, 60)-(300, 60), 12, , i%
    tmp$ = ""
    FOR b% = 15 TO 0 STEP -1 'create binary text value showing bits on as █, off as space
        IF i% AND 2 ^ b% THEN tmp$ = tmp$ + CHR$(219) ELSE tmp$ = tmp$ + SPACE$(1)
    NEXT
    COLOR 12:LOCATE 10, 20: PRINT tmp$;
    IF INKEY$ <> "" THEN EXIT FOR 'any key exit
    _DELAY .001 'set delay time as required
NEXT

Explanation: The style value's Most Significant Bit (MSB) is set to the left with LSB on right as 16 text blocks are set on or off.

Using &B to design a style pattern:

SCREEN 12

LINE (100, 100)-(300, 100), 10, , &B0000111100001111 '16-bits
LINE (100, 110)-(300, 110), 11, , &B0011001100110011
LINE (100, 120)-(300, 120), 12, , &B0101010101010101
LINE (100, 130)-(300, 130), 13, , &B1000100010001000

Explanation: The binary pattern created with 0s and 1s using the &B number prefix define the pattern to draw the colored lines.

See Also

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