the original zx80 had 1k of ram so it was a way to save a lot of space for code.

i had a zx +2 and wrote code on it in basic. the extra commands the 128k basic had allowed you to swap data in and out of the extra ram. it was still an antiquated basic compared to basics like the bbc or the amstrad cpc's which where around at the same time. but it was cheaper and had a massive user base. so much more software available.