BREAK
Sharp Sharp MZ
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
BREAK on the Sharp MZ is not a programming error — it means you pressed the BREAK key and interrupted the running program. The message shows the line number where execution stopped. Type CONT to continue from that point, or RUN to restart from the beginning.
Affected Models
- Sharp MZ-80B
- Sharp MZ-80K
- Sharp MZ-700
- Sharp MZ-800
- Sharp MZ-1500
Common Causes
- User pressed the BREAK key during program execution
- A machine code routine triggered a software BREAK
- Accidental key press during typing or running
How to Fix It
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Type CONT and press ENTER to continue the program.
CONT (Continue) resumes execution from the exact line and statement where BREAK occurred. This is useful when you want to inspect variables mid-run and then carry on.
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Type RUN and press ENTER to restart from the beginning.
RUN restarts the program from line 1 (or the lowest line number). All variables are reset. Use this if you want a fresh start rather than continuing.
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Use BREAK deliberately as a debugging tool.
Pressing BREAK mid-execution lets you inspect variable values by typing PRINT <variable>. For example: PRINT I to check a loop counter, or PRINT A$ to see a string value. Then type CONT to resume.
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Check for accidental BREAK handling if using it in code.
Some Sharp MZ BASICs allow trapping BREAK with ON BREAK GOTO. If your program has this, an unexpected BREAK may have triggered the handler rather than stopping normally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BREAK the same as an error on the Sharp MZ?
Not really. BREAK is a user interrupt, not a programming mistake. It is more like a pause. Real errors (Syntax error, Type Mismatch) indicate a problem in the code. BREAK simply means the user stopped execution.
Can I disable the BREAK key in a Sharp MZ BASIC program?
In some Sharp MZ BASICs you can use ON BREAK GOSUB or BREAK OFF commands to intercept or disable the BREAK key. This was commonly done in commercial software to prevent users from stopping and examining the program.