---
title: "Timexly Tips"
type: "article"
slug: "timexly-tips-15"
url: "http://localhost/article/timexly-tips-15/"
markdown_url: "http://localhost/article/timexly-tips-15.md"
published_at: "2026-10-22T13:44:53+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-10-22T13:46:23+00:00"
featured_image:
  url: "http://localhost/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/20230809-041332.jpg"
excerpt: "NUMBERS ARE NUMEROUS - THEY TAKE UP TOO MUCH MEMORY !! Did you know that a number takes up more memory than a letter? We won't dicuss how and why here - check your manual for that - just know that a number takes more memory than a letter. In every program certain numbers continually…"
post_tag:
  - name: "TS 1000"
    slug: "ts1000"
    taxonomy: "post_tag"
    url: "http://localhost/tag/ts1000/"
model:
  - name: "Timex/Sinclair 1000"
    slug: "ts-1000"
    taxonomy: "model"
    url: "http://localhost/model/ts-1000/"
indiv:
  - name: "Gary Ennis"
    slug: "gary-ennis"
    taxonomy: "indiv"
    url: "http://localhost/indiv/gary-ennis/"
publication_r:
  id: 14989
  title: "Sincus News"
  type: "periodical"
  url: "http://localhost/periodical/sincus-news/"
authors: "Gary Ennis"
authors_r:
  - name: "Gary Ennis"
    slug: "gary-ennis"
    taxonomy: "indiv"
    url: "http://localhost/indiv/gary-ennis/"
volume: "1"
issue: "9"
issues_articles:
  - id: 72169
    title: "SINCUS v1 n9"
    type: "issue"
    url: "http://localhost/issue/sincus-v1-n9/"
pages: "3"
pubdate: "October 1983"
archive_link: false
---

# Timexly Tips

### NUMBERS ARE NUMEROUS – THEY TAKE UP TOO MUCH MEMORY !!

Did you know that a number takes up more memory than a letter? We won’t dicuss how and why here – check your manual for that – just know that a number takes more memory than a letter. In every program certain numbers continually reappear – for example: “1” in commands like LET X = X + 1, etc. Perhaps certain addresses do reoccur in your program. To save space create a letter variable for your number – i.e. LET I = 1. Then your command becomes LET X = X + I thus saving four bytes of memory every time you use the expression! (I’ve heard this before – but thanks to Mr. Penny for reminding me)

### SAVE SPACE IN TEXT – USE KEYWORDS !!

You can use each keyword in any text in a PRINT statement. The keyword is only one byte so you can save much space this way. For example – 10 PRINT ” INPUT the number THEN GOTO the NEXT QUESTION” Each of the capital words could be entered as a keyword. One problem – how do you get a “K” keyword when you have a “L” cursor? First, using SHIFT press “3” – this will get you “THEN” and a “K” cursor. Then enter your “K” keyword and use the “5” cursor and DELETE “THEN” !! In the example you save 13 bytes – enough for another two lines!

IN POKEing – USE THE CHARACTER NOT DECIMAL (from Geo. Penny)

Extensive poling of numbers can quickly use up memory. Mr. Penny shortened the process somewhat – compare the following: 10 POKE 16389,221 to 10 POKE a, CODE “<>”

See manual appendix for decimal amd character codes.

### USE GOSUBS ON REPETIVE ROUTINES

If any sequence of commands appears twice in a program it normally should be a subroutine. That is you use GOSUB and RETURN, see the manual – TIMEX chapter 9. This will also help you organize your programming. And did you know that subroutines written at the start of a program will help it run faster – it looks funny but it is supposed to be true!

ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY STATEMENTS WITH CONDENSATION  
Compare these two structures – they do mean the same thing – HONEST!

```
10 IF A = 100 THEN GOTO 100
20 IF A = 200 THEN GOTO 200  OR    10  GOTO 100 (AND A=100)+
30 IF A = 300 THEN GOTO 300            200 ( AND A = 200) + 300 40 IF A = 400 THEN GOTO 400            (AND A =300) + 400 (AND                                         A= 400)
```

CAN THIS BE DONE IN ONE SHORT COMMAND? IT SURE CAN ! HOW ?