You can't put code for a sub/function before the "main" code yet (QBASIC doesn't do this!)

Thank you for pointing this out though. There's no reason why it shouldn't be allowed. Though I have to wonder what the advantage of this might be.

"but i found it wasn't necessary to declare the function"-mennonite
As you say, DECLARE statements for subs/functions aren't necessary, so they are ignored. They will be necessary later for linking to other modules.

"you were quite wise to implement error returns (and error trapping) early, they are obviously underrated."-mennonite
I totally agree. In fact, the new QB64 AUDIO functions use errors at every opportunity to tell the user they are misusing the functions, it's a good way to force them to write proper code in the first place.

I can't wait to see what you've got planned for "SHOOT.BAS", my Tyrian rip off. As you say, I've done a lot of modifications to the code to make it more object orientated since I last published it. In case you were wondering, no I'm not going to develop it further.