Syntax error
Sharp Sharp MZ
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
A Syntax error on the Sharp MZ means the BASIC interpreter could not understand the command you typed. The Sharp MZ is unique — it has no built-in BASIC. The error format depends on which BASIC you loaded from tape or disk. Check the spelling and syntax for the specific BASIC variant you are using.
Affected Models
- Sharp MZ-80K
- Sharp MZ-80A
- Sharp MZ-80B
- Sharp MZ-700
- Sharp MZ-800
- Sharp MZ-1500
- Sharp MZ-2500
- EmuZ emulator
Common Causes
- Misspelled keyword in whichever BASIC is loaded
- Using commands from a different BASIC variant (SP-5025 vs HuBASIC vs S-BASIC)
- Missing or mismatched punctuation
- Typing a command before loading a BASIC language from tape
- Program listing from a magazine using a different Sharp MZ BASIC version
How to Fix It
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Make sure a BASIC language is loaded — the Sharp MZ has no built-in BASIC.
Unlike the C64 or Spectrum, the Sharp MZ starts with only a monitor program. You must load a BASIC from tape or disk before you can type BASIC commands. Without a BASIC loaded, all commands will fail.
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Check which BASIC variant you are using.
Sharp provided several BASICs for the MZ series: SP-5025 BASIC, S-BASIC, HuBASIC, and MZ-BASIC. Each has slightly different syntax and commands. Make sure your program matches the loaded BASIC.
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Type LIST to review the offending line.
LIST works in all Sharp MZ BASIC variants. It shows the program listing so you can find the line with the error.
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Retype the line with the correct syntax for your BASIC version.
Type the line number, the corrected statement, and press RETURN. The corrected line replaces the old one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Sharp MZ have no built-in BASIC?
Sharp designed the MZ as a clean computer — the philosophy was that the language should be loaded from tape so it could be updated or replaced without changing the hardware. This also meant you could load different languages: BASIC, Pascal, assembler, or even FORTH.
What is the Sharp MZ monitor program?
The monitor is a simple program in ROM that lets you load software from tape, inspect memory, and perform basic system operations. It is not a programming language — you use it to load a language (like BASIC) from tape before you can start programming.