Merge branch 'feature/reduce_memory_usage' into galaga-tutorial

examples/megademo/README.md

@@ -56,7 +56,10 @@ This is a tour of the interpreter's edges, on purpose:
   counterpoint: a genuine 24x21 `SPRSAV` type-in sprite, 63 bytes, which is
   everything `DATA` has room to say. The paint is the reveal, and the exit is a
   stride-63 column dissolve — 63 is coprime to 160, so the walk hits every
-  column once and looks random while carrying no state.
+  column once and looks random while carrying no state. The strings come in
+  64-character chunks because a source line is 80 columns, like the machines
+  this pretends to be — the decoder carries its cursor from one `IM$` entry to
+  the next, and the generator refuses to cut inside a run.
 - **And then the picture is video.** Six delta frames loop the floor grid toward
   you and crawl the sun's slice pattern — full motion video, 1.3 KB total, about
   220 bytes a frame. A delta re-encodes only the rows that changed: an `R`
@@ -82,6 +85,10 @@ This is a tour of the interpreter's edges, on purpose:
   batch a bar of noise drums. Noise is real: `ENVELOPE`'s sixth argument is a
   waveform, 0 to 3, which Chapter 7 forgot to mention. Voice 1 carries the tune so
   the collision blips (voice 2) and scene sweeps (voice 3) never steal its channel.
+  A batch is four `PLAY` statements, one bar each — the 80-column line limit will
+  not hold four bars in one string, and it does not need to: the parser's voice,
+  envelope and duration state persists across statements and every `PLAY` appends
+  to the same queue, so four bars queue exactly as one line would.
 
 It also probes for its hardware like a proper boot loader, with one `TRAP` per
 device: no graphics refuses by name and exits, no audio mutes the soundtrack, no

examples/megademo/megademo.bas

@@ -461,38 +461,78 @@ BS% = W# / 160
 IF BS% < 1 THEN BS% = 1
 REM  ---- PICTURE-BEGIN (generated by vaporwave.py; do not
 REM  ---- hand-edit -- rerun the script to change the picture)
-DIM IM$(16)
+DIM IM$(56)
 DIM VA#(6)
 DIM VB#(6)
-NS# = 9
-VA#(0) = 9
-VB#(0) = 9
-VA#(1) = 10
-VB#(1) = 10
-VA#(2) = 11
-VB#(2) = 12
-VA#(3) = 13
-VB#(3) = 13
-VA#(4) = 14
-VB#(4) = 14
-VA#(5) = 15
-VB#(5) = 15
-IM$(0) = "G9G9G9G9GPGHEHG9GTEHG9GTEHGPGPEHG9GTEHG9GTEHGHGXEHGTBAG8EHG9GTEHG5EHGPEHG5EHGPEHG5EHGAPAG3EHGPEHG5EHGPEHGXGHEHG5EHGPEHG5EHGFBAGIEHGPGPEHGPEHGHEHGPEHGPEHGHEHGPEHGHEHGPEHGPEHGHEHGBPAGMEHGPEHGHEHGPEHGHEHGPEHGPEHGHEHGPEHGPEHGHEHGPEHGHEPGHEHGPEH"
-IM$(1) = "GHEPGHEHGPEHGHEPGHEHGHEGBAEHGHEHGPEHGHEPGHEHGPEHGHEHGPEHGHEPGHEHGPEHGHEPGHEHGPECPAEDGHEPGHEHGHEPGHEPGHEHGHEPGHEPGHEHGHEPGHEHGHEPGHEPGHECBAEDGHEPGHEPGHEHGHEPGHEHGHEPGHEPGHEHGHEPGHEPEPGHEPGHE5GHEPGHE5GHEHEXGHEPGHEEPAEZGHEPGHE5GHE5GHEPGHE5GHEP"
-IM$(2) = "GHE5GHE9ETGHE9ETGHEXEHGHE9ETGHHAE9ESGHEPEPGBBAGEE9EMHOE9ETGHEHE9E7HUE9E6E9E4H0E9E3E9E3H2E9EHBAETEHKHE9ELH6E9ECKHEPEPKHE9EBH9HAE9EIKHEHEXKHE2H9HCE9EPKHE5KHEPKDH9HEKCEPKHE5KHE5KHEKH9HGEBKHEPKHEXEHKHE5KHEBH9HIEIKHEPKHEPEPKHEPKHEHKAH9HKKHEHKHEP"
-IM$(3) = "KHEHKHEPKHEPKHH9HMEGKHEHKHEPKHEHKHEPKHEPH9HMEOKHEHKHEPKHEHKPEHKHEGH9HOKFEPKHEHKPEHKHEHKPEHKGH9HOEFKHEPKHEHKHEPKHEHKPEFH9HQKEEHKHEPKHEHKHEPKHEHKMH9HSKLEHKHEPKHEHKPEHKHEHKEH9HSEDKPEHKPEHKHEHKPEHKHEEH9HSKDEHKPEHKPKPEHKPEHKDH9HUECKHEHKPEHKHKXEH"
-IM$(4) = "KPEDH9HUKCEHK5EHK5EHKLH9HUKKEHK5EHK5EHKCH9HWEBKPEHKXKHEHK8I9IWKZEHKPKPEHK0I9IWK7EHKHKXEHKSI9IWK9KFEHK9KOI9IWK9KNK9KOI9IWK9KNK9KOI9IWK9KNKPIHKZI9IYK6IHKHKXIHKSI9IWK9KFIHK5IHKKI9IWK9KNIHK5IHKCI9IYKPIHKXKHIHK5IHKPIHK5IHKPIHKPKPIHK0I9IWKJIHKPIH"
-IM$(5) = "KHIHKPIHKPI9IZKBIHKHIHKPIHKHIHKPIHKKI9IWKJIHKHIHKPIHKHIHKPIHKDI9IXKPIHKHIHKHKHIHKHIPKHI9IYKCIHKPIHKHIHKPIHKHIPKHIHKPIHKHIPKHIHKPIHKHIHKPIHKHI9I9IHKHIHKPIHKHIPKHIHKHIEC9CSKDIPKHIPKHIHKHIPKHIHKEC9CSIDKHIPKHIPIPKHIPKHIFC9CQKEIHKHIPKHIHIXKHIPKG"
-IM$(6) = "C9COIFKHI5KHI5KHIPKHI5KHIPKHI5KHI5KHIPKHI5KHIPKHIXIHKHI9IDC9CMI4KHIPIPKHI6C9CKI9IDKHIHIXKHIZC9CII9IMKHI9IWC9CGI9IVI9I9I9I9IPI9I9I9I9IPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPE9E9E9E9EPE9E9E9E9EPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPE9E9E9E9EPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPE9E9E9E9EPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9"
-IM$(7) = "Q9QPE9E9E9E9EPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPE9E9E9E9EPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPE9E9E9E9EPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9"
-IM$(8) = "Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QP"
-IM$(9) = "RBRQ9QOKMQHK5RBSQ9QTI9IRRBXQ9QTKPQHKHQPKERBYQ9QPI9IHRB3Q9QSKAI5KHIJRB5Q9QTC9CMRB9Q9QWI9IGRCBQ9QYC9CCRCIA9A9A9A9APRCJE9E9E9E9EPRCNA9A9A9A9APRCOE9E9E9E9EPRCUA9A9A9A9APRCVE9E9E9E9EPRC5A9A9A9A9APRC7E9E9E9E9EP"
-IM$(10) = "RBQQ9QOK9KIQHKFRBRQ9QOI9IQRBWQ9QPKLQHKHQHKPRBXQ9QTI9QLIERB2Q9QRIBKHIPKHIPKCRB4Q9QSC9CORB8Q9QVI3KHIGRCAQ9QXC9CERCJA9A9A9A9APRCKE9E9E9E9EPRCOA9A9A9A9APRCPE9E9E9E9EPRCVA9A9A9A9APRCXE9E9E9E9EPRC7A9A9A9A9APRDAE9E9E9E9EP"
-IM$(11) = "RBPQ9QOK9KAQHKNRBQQ9QOI9IWRBVQ9QOKEQHKHQHKPQHKFRBWQ9QPI9IPRB1Q9QQKCIPKHIPKHIDRB3Q9QSC9CORB7Q9QUIWKHIPRB9Q9QWC9CGRCEA9A9A9A9APRCFE9E9E9E9EPRCGA9A9A9A9APRCHE9E9E9E9EPRCPA9A9A9A9APRCQE9E9E9E9EPRCXA9A9A9A9APRCZE9E9E9E9EPRDAA9A9A9A9APRDCE9E9E9E9"
-IM$(12) = "EP"
-IM$(13) = "RBOQ9QNK3QHKWRBPQ9QOI9IWRBUQ9QTKHQHKPQHKNRBVQ9QOI9IWRB0Q9QQIKKHIPKHIHKDRB1Q9QQC9CSRB2Q9QRC9CQRB6Q9QTIPKHIYRB8Q9QVC9CIRCKA9A9A9A9APRCLE9E9E9E9EPRCQA9A9A9A9APRCRE9E9E9E9EPRCZA9A9A9A9APRC1E9E9E9E9EPRDCA9A9A9A9APRDFE9E9E9E9EP"
-IM$(14) = "RBOQ9QNI9IYRBTQ9QOKEQHKPQHKVRBUQ9QTI9IRRBZQ9QTKHQHKPQHKHRB0Q9QQC9CSRB5Q9QTIHKHI5KARB7Q9QUC9CKRCBQ9QYI9ICRCHA9A9A9A9APRCIE9E9E9E9EPRCLA9A9A9A9APRCME9E9E9E9EPRCRA9A9A9A9APRCTE9E9E9E9EPRC1A9A9A9A9APRC3E9E9E9E9EPRDFA9A9A9A9APRDIE9E9E9E9EP"
-IM$(15) = "RBSQ9QTKPQHK3RBTQ9QOI9IWRBYQ9QPKDQHKPQHKHRBZQ9QTI9ILRB4Q9QSIAKHI5KHIBRB6Q9QTC9CMRCAQ9QXI9IERCEE9E9E9E9EPRCFA9A9A9A9APRCGE9E9E9E9EPRCMA9A9A9A9APRCNE9E9E9E9EPRCTA9A9A9A9APRCUE9E9E9E9EPRC3A9A9A9A9APRC5E9E9E9E9EPRDIA9A9A9A9AP"
+NS# = 32
+VA#(0) = 32
+VB#(0) = 35
+VA#(1) = 36
+VB#(1) = 39
+VA#(2) = 40
+VB#(2) = 43
+VA#(3) = 44
+VB#(3) = 47
+VA#(4) = 48
+VB#(4) = 51
+VA#(5) = 52
+VB#(5) = 55
+IM$(0) = "G9G9G9G9GPGHEHG9GTEHG9GTEHGPGPEHG9GTEHG9GTEHGHGXEHGTBAG8EHG9GTEH"
+IM$(1) = "G5EHGPEHG5EHGPEHG5EHGAPAG3EHGPEHG5EHGPEHGXGHEHG5EHGPEHG5EHGFBAGI"
+IM$(2) = "EHGPGPEHGPEHGHEHGPEHGPEHGHEHGPEHGHEHGPEHGPEHGHEHGBPAGMEHGPEHGHEH"
+IM$(3) = "GPEHGHEHGPEHGPEHGHEHGPEHGPEHGHEHGPEHGHEPGHEHGPEHGHEPGHEHGPEHGHEP"
+IM$(4) = "GHEHGHEGBAEHGHEHGPEHGHEPGHEHGPEHGHEHGPEHGHEPGHEHGPEHGHEPGHEHGPEC"
+IM$(5) = "PAEDGHEPGHEHGHEPGHEPGHEHGHEPGHEPGHEHGHEPGHEHGHEPGHEPGHECBAEDGHEP"
+IM$(6) = "GHEPGHEHGHEPGHEHGHEPGHEPGHEHGHEPGHEPEPGHEPGHE5GHEPGHE5GHEHEXGHEP"
+IM$(7) = "GHEEPAEZGHEPGHE5GHE5GHEPGHE5GHEPGHE5GHE9ETGHE9ETGHEXEHGHE9ETGHHA"
+IM$(8) = "E9ESGHEPEPGBBAGEE9EMHOE9ETGHEHE9E7HUE9E6E9E4H0E9E3E9E3H2E9EHBAET"
+IM$(9) = "EHKHE9ELH6E9ECKHEPEPKHE9EBH9HAE9EIKHEHEXKHE2H9HCE9EPKHE5KHEPKDH9"
+IM$(10) = "HEKCEPKHE5KHE5KHEKH9HGEBKHEPKHEXEHKHE5KHEBH9HIEIKHEPKHEPEPKHEPKH"
+IM$(11) = "EHKAH9HKKHEHKHEPKHEHKHEPKHEPKHH9HMEGKHEHKHEPKHEHKHEPKHEPH9HMEOKH"
+IM$(12) = "EHKHEPKHEHKPEHKHEGH9HOKFEPKHEHKPEHKHEHKPEHKGH9HOEFKHEPKHEHKHEPKH"
+IM$(13) = "EHKPEFH9HQKEEHKHEPKHEHKHEPKHEHKMH9HSKLEHKHEPKHEHKPEHKHEHKEH9HSED"
+IM$(14) = "KPEHKPEHKHEHKPEHKHEEH9HSKDEHKPEHKPKPEHKPEHKDH9HUECKHEHKPEHKHKXEH"
+IM$(15) = "KPEDH9HUKCEHK5EHK5EHKLH9HUKKEHK5EHK5EHKCH9HWEBKPEHKXKHEHK8I9IWKZ"
+IM$(16) = "EHKPKPEHK0I9IWK7EHKHKXEHKSI9IWK9KFEHK9KOI9IWK9KNK9KOI9IWK9KNK9KO"
+IM$(17) = "I9IWK9KNKPIHKZI9IYK6IHKHKXIHKSI9IWK9KFIHK5IHKKI9IWK9KNIHK5IHKCI9"
+IM$(18) = "IYKPIHKXKHIHK5IHKPIHK5IHKPIHKPKPIHK0I9IWKJIHKPIHKHIHKPIHKPI9IZKB"
+IM$(19) = "IHKHIHKPIHKHIHKPIHKKI9IWKJIHKHIHKPIHKHIHKPIHKDI9IXKPIHKHIHKHKHIH"
+IM$(20) = "KHIPKHI9IYKCIHKPIHKHIHKPIHKHIPKHIHKPIHKHIPKHIHKPIHKHIHKPIHKHI9I9"
+IM$(21) = "IHKHIHKPIHKHIPKHIHKHIEC9CSKDIPKHIPKHIHKHIPKHIHKEC9CSIDKHIPKHIPIP"
+IM$(22) = "KHIPKHIFC9CQKEIHKHIPKHIHIXKHIPKGC9COIFKHI5KHI5KHIPKHI5KHIPKHI5KH"
+IM$(23) = "I5KHIPKHI5KHIPKHIXIHKHI9IDC9CMI4KHIPIPKHI6C9CKI9IDKHIHIXKHIZC9CI"
+IM$(24) = "I9IMKHI9IWC9CGI9IVI9I9I9I9IPI9I9I9I9IPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPE9E9E9E9EPE9E9E9"
+IM$(25) = "E9EPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPE9E9E9E9EPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPE9E9E9E9EPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QP"
+IM$(26) = "Q9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPE9E9E9E9EPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9"
+IM$(27) = "Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPE9E9E9E9EPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9"
+IM$(28) = "QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9"
+IM$(29) = "Q9Q9Q9QPE9E9E9E9EPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9"
+IM$(30) = "Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QP"
+IM$(31) = "Q9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QPQ9Q9Q9Q9QP"
+IM$(32) = "RBRQ9QOKMQHK5RBSQ9QTI9IRRBXQ9QTKPQHKHQPKERBYQ9QPI9IHRB3Q9QSKAI5"
+IM$(33) = "KHIJRB5Q9QTC9CMRB9Q9QWI9IGRCBQ9QYC9CCRCIA9A9A9A9APRCJE9E9E9E9EP"
+IM$(34) = "RCNA9A9A9A9APRCOE9E9E9E9EPRCUA9A9A9A9APRCVE9E9E9E9EPRC5A9A9A9A9"
+IM$(35) = "APRC7E9E9E9E9EP"
+IM$(36) = "RBQQ9QOK9KIQHKFRBRQ9QOI9IQRBWQ9QPKLQHKHQHKPRBXQ9QTI9QLIERB2Q9QR"
+IM$(37) = "IBKHIPKHIPKCRB4Q9QSC9CORB8Q9QVI3KHIGRCAQ9QXC9CERCJA9A9A9A9APRCK"
+IM$(38) = "E9E9E9E9EPRCOA9A9A9A9APRCPE9E9E9E9EPRCVA9A9A9A9APRCXE9E9E9E9EP"
+IM$(39) = "RC7A9A9A9A9APRDAE9E9E9E9EP"
+IM$(40) = "RBPQ9QOK9KAQHKNRBQQ9QOI9IWRBVQ9QOKEQHKHQHKPQHKFRBWQ9QPI9IPRB1Q9"
+IM$(41) = "QQKCIPKHIPKHIDRB3Q9QSC9CORB7Q9QUIWKHIPRB9Q9QWC9CGRCEA9A9A9A9AP"
+IM$(42) = "RCFE9E9E9E9EPRCGA9A9A9A9APRCHE9E9E9E9EPRCPA9A9A9A9APRCQE9E9E9E9"
+IM$(43) = "EPRCXA9A9A9A9APRCZE9E9E9E9EPRDAA9A9A9A9APRDCE9E9E9E9EP"
+IM$(44) = "RBOQ9QNK3QHKWRBPQ9QOI9IWRBUQ9QTKHQHKPQHKNRBVQ9QOI9IWRB0Q9QQIKKH"
+IM$(45) = "IPKHIHKDRB1Q9QQC9CSRB2Q9QRC9CQRB6Q9QTIPKHIYRB8Q9QVC9CIRCKA9A9A9"
+IM$(46) = "A9APRCLE9E9E9E9EPRCQA9A9A9A9APRCRE9E9E9E9EPRCZA9A9A9A9APRC1E9E9"
+IM$(47) = "E9E9EPRDCA9A9A9A9APRDFE9E9E9E9EP"
+IM$(48) = "RBOQ9QNI9IYRBTQ9QOKEQHKPQHKVRBUQ9QTI9IRRBZQ9QTKHQHKPQHKHRB0Q9QQ"
+IM$(49) = "C9CSRB5Q9QTIHKHI5KARB7Q9QUC9CKRCBQ9QYI9ICRCHA9A9A9A9APRCIE9E9E9"
+IM$(50) = "E9EPRCLA9A9A9A9APRCME9E9E9E9EPRCRA9A9A9A9APRCTE9E9E9E9EPRC1A9A9"
+IM$(51) = "A9A9APRC3E9E9E9E9EPRDFA9A9A9A9APRDIE9E9E9E9EP"
+IM$(52) = "RBSQ9QTKPQHK3RBTQ9QOI9IWRBYQ9QPKDQHKPQHKHRBZQ9QTI9ILRB4Q9QSIAKH"
+IM$(53) = "I5KHIBRB6Q9QTC9CMRCAQ9QXI9IERCEE9E9E9E9EPRCFA9A9A9A9APRCGE9E9E9"
+IM$(54) = "E9EPRCMA9A9A9A9APRCNE9E9E9E9EPRCTA9A9A9A9APRCUE9E9E9E9EPRC3A9A9"
+IM$(55) = "A9A9APRC5E9E9E9E9EPRDIA9A9A9A9AP"
 REM  ---- PICTURE-END
 SS# = 0
 SE# = NS# - 1
@@ -1317,13 +1357,25 @@ TB# = TB# + 1
 IF TB# > 2 THEN TB# = 0
 RETURN
 
+REM  A batch is four PLAY statements, one bar each: the parser's V, T,
+REM  U and duration state persists across statements and every PLAY
+REM  appends to the same queue, so four bars queue exactly as one long
+REM  string would -- which the 80-column line limit no longer allows.
+REM  Each bar restates the prefix anyway, so a bar dropped by QFULL
+REM  never leaves the next one playing with drum-kit state.
 LABEL TUNEA
-PLAY "V1T3U9S O1AO2AO3AO2AO3AO4CEAO1AO2AO4CEAO5CO4AE O1FO2FO3FO2FO3FAO4CFO1FO2FO3AO4CFAO5CO4A O1CO2CO3CO2CO3CEGO4CO1CO2CO3EGO4CEGO5C O1GO2GO3GO2GO3GBO4DGO1GO2GO3BO4DGBO5DO4B"
+PLAY "V1T3U9S O1AO2AO3AO2AO3AO4CEAO1AO2AO4CEAO5CO4AE"
+PLAY "V1T3U9S O1FO2FO3FO2FO3FAO4CFO1FO2FO3AO4CFAO5CO4A"
+PLAY "V1T3U9S O1CO2CO3CO2CO3CEGO4CO1CO2CO3EGO4CEGO5C"
+PLAY "V1T3U9S O1GO2GO3GO2GO3GBO4DGO1GO2GO3BO4DGBO5DO4B"
 MT# = TI# + 270
 RETURN
 
 LABEL TUNEB
-PLAY "V1T3U9S O1AO2AO3AO2AO3AO4CEAO1AO2AO4CEAO5CEO4A O1FO2FO3FO2FO3FAO4CFO1FO2FO3AO4CFAO5CO4A O1DO2DO3DO2DO3DFAO4DO1DO2DO3FAO4DFAO5D O1EO2EO3EO2EO3E#GBO4EO1EO2EO3#GBO4E#GBO5E"
+PLAY "V1T3U9S O1AO2AO3AO2AO3AO4CEAO1AO2AO4CEAO5CEO4A"
+PLAY "V1T3U9S O1FO2FO3FO2FO3FAO4CFO1FO2FO3AO4CFAO5CO4A"
+PLAY "V1T3U9S O1DO2DO3DO2DO3DFAO4DO1DO2DO3FAO4DFAO5D"
+PLAY "V1T3U9S O1EO2EO3EO2EO3E#GBO4EO1EO2EO3#GBO4E#GBO5E"
 MT# = TI# + 270
 RETURN
 

examples/megademo/vaporwave.py

@@ -58,7 +58,14 @@ SKIP = "Q"
 ROWREC = "R"
 LENCH = "ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0123456789"
 MAXRUN = len(LENCH)
-PAYLOAD = 240
+
+# The interpreter reads source through an 80-byte line buffer and refuses
+# any line that fills it (AKBASIC_MAX_LINE_LENGTH, sink_stdio.c), so a
+# stored line is at most 78 characters plus its newline. 'IM$(NN) = "' and
+# the closing quote spend 12 of those; 64 keeps the emitted lines under
+# the ceiling with margin to spare while the index stays two digits.
+PAYLOAD = 64
+MAXLINE = 78
 
 SUN_CX, SUN_CY, SUN_R = 80, 50, 30
 HORIZON = 74
@@ -206,13 +213,32 @@ def encode_delta(prev, cur):
 
 
 def chop(blob):
-    return [blob[i:i + PAYLOAD] for i in range(0, len(blob), PAYLOAD)]
+    """Split a stream into strings of at most PAYLOAD characters, cutting
+    only between records. The decoder reads a record's tail characters
+    with MID on the string it is walking, so a run (two characters) or a
+    row record (three) that straddled two IM$ entries would decode as
+    garbage; DRAWSTREAM only carries the cursor, never a partial record."""
+    out, cur = [], ""
+    p = 0
+    while p < len(blob):
+        n = 3 if blob[p] == ROWREC else 2
+        if len(cur) + n > PAYLOAD:
+            out.append(cur)
+            cur = ""
+        cur += blob[p:p + n]
+        p += n
+    if cur:
+        out.append(cur)
+    return out
 
 
-def simulate(raster, blob):
+def simulate(raster, blob, x=0, y=0):
     """Apply one encoded stream to a raster exactly the way the BASIC
-    decoder does, skips-draw-nothing and all."""
-    x = y = p = 0
+    decoder does, skips-draw-nothing and all. The cursor comes in and
+    goes back out because DRAWSTREAM carries it from one IM$ entry to
+    the next -- decoding the chopped strings one at a time with the
+    cursor threaded through is exactly what the demo will execute."""
+    p = 0
     while p < len(blob):
         c = blob[p]
         if c == ROWREC:
@@ -230,20 +256,31 @@ def simulate(raster, blob):
             x = 0
             y += 1
         p += 2
+    return raster, x, y
+
+
+def simulate_lines(raster, lines):
+    """One stream as its chopped strings, cursor carried across the
+    boundaries the way DRAWSTREAM carries X# and Y#."""
+    x = y = 0
+    for line in lines:
+        raster, x, y = simulate(raster, line, x, y)
     return raster
 
 
-def verify(frames, base_blob, delta_blobs):
+def verify(frames, base_lines, delta_line_groups):
     """The base must reproduce frame 0 exactly, and each delta must
     carry the raster exactly to the next frame. A skip leaves the cell
     the encoder promised was already right, so equality is total and
-    any difference at all is an encoder bug."""
+    any difference at all is an encoder bug. This decodes the CHOPPED
+    strings, not the blobs, so a chop that split a record would fail
+    here instead of corrupting the screen."""
     raster = [[1] * W for _ in range(H)]
-    raster = simulate(raster, base_blob)
+    raster = simulate_lines(raster, base_lines)
     assert raster == frames[0], "base stream does not reproduce frame 0"
-    for i, blob in enumerate(delta_blobs):
+    for i, lines in enumerate(delta_line_groups):
         want = frames[(i + 1) % PHASES]
-        raster = simulate(raster, blob)
+        raster = simulate_lines(raster, lines)
         assert raster == want, "delta %d does not reproduce its frame" % i
 
 
@@ -261,6 +298,9 @@ def emit_block(base_lines, delta_ranges, all_lines):
     for i, s in enumerate(all_lines):
         out.append('IM$(%d) = "%s"' % (i, s))
     out.append("REM  ---- PICTURE-END")
+    for line in out:
+        assert len(line) <= MAXLINE, "emitted line over %d chars: %r" % (
+            MAXLINE, line)
     return out
 
 
@@ -303,15 +343,15 @@ def main():
     base_lines = chop(base_blob)
     all_lines = list(base_lines)
     delta_ranges = []
-    delta_blobs = []
+    delta_line_groups = []
     for i in range(PHASES):
         blob = encode_delta(frames[i], frames[(i + 1) % PHASES])
-        delta_blobs.append(blob)
         lines = chop(blob)
+        delta_line_groups.append(lines)
         delta_ranges.append((len(all_lines), len(all_lines) + len(lines) - 1))
         all_lines.extend(lines)
-    verify(frames, base_blob, delta_blobs)
-    dbytes = sum(len(b) for b in delta_blobs)
+    verify(frames, base_lines, delta_line_groups)
+    dbytes = sum(len(l) for g in delta_line_groups for l in g)
     print("base %d bytes in %d strings; video %d bytes in %d strings; "
           "%d strings total" %
           (sum(len(s) for s in base_lines), len(base_lines), dbytes,