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structure and interpretation of computer programs.
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Help me fix this shit. https://legacy.arisuchan.jp/q/res/2703.html#2703

Kalyx ######


File: 1532532161630.jpg (132.84 KB, 1024x777, commodore.jpg)

 No.1289

I've recently taken to refreshing myself on 6502 assembly in order to write software for the C64. Initially I was torn between choosing learning assembly for the Gameboy and the C64, but I figured development would be more satisfying on the C64 since I would be able to see results on the physical hardware without much hassle. There are also some features of the 6502's instruction set that I like over the Gameboy's CPU such as the index registers being very helpful with working on larger amounts of data and not being restricted to perform comparisons exclusively on the accumulator. I believe the zero page is larger on the C64 as well as not being forced to transfer and execute a subroutine in the zero page just in order to update sprite RAM.

Anyways, if there are any of you that have experience with writing assembly for 8-bit platforms I would love to hear about your experiences with it.

For those who would be interested in learning assembly for an 8-bit platform here are some resources for learning how to do so:
6502 assembly crash course - https://skilldrick.github.io/easy6502/
C64 specific tutorial - https://github.com/petriw/Commodore64Programming
Links to various GB assembly tutorials - http://www.chrisantonellis.com/gameboy/
Platform agnostic tutorial for Z80 assembly - http://www.chibiakumas.com/z80/multiplatform.php

If you want to learn how to program for one of these platforms but you think you can't for whatever reason, it really isn't much harder than writing C. It's probably more tedious than anything, but certainly not difficult to wrap your head around.

 No.1290

I guess I should also explain my reasoning for wanting to work primarily with 8-bit systems. It's not to make games, I'm more interested in the idea of making a computer myself from scratch (or pretty darn close to it) and implementing a basic OS on it. Having it be centered around a 6502 or Z80 (or equivalent) makes that much more approachable and easier to plan out as a whole. There's no overwhelmingly complicated features to these chips that makes it hard to visualize how they work like with modern CPUs and whatnot. You've got a CPU, you've got RAM, you've got an IO controller(s) and there you go, you've got the basis for a fully functional and "useful" computer.

 No.1291

Wish I could help but I only know Atari BASIC :)

 No.1292

>>1290
You might try putting together a ZX Spectrum clone. Cloning the Spectrum was practically a cottage industry in Eastern Europe 30 years ago and people are still doing it.

 No.1293

>>1292
I hadn't even thought about that, that's not a bad idea. In fact, I just did a quick search and found this little nugget: http://www.pestingers.net/pdfs/other-computers/build-your-own-z80.pdf . It's not specifically aimed at the ZX, I don't think, but I imagine it's incredibly helpful all the same. I'll have to keep that in mind, thanks!

 No.1331

>>1290

Not sure if you already know about it but http://6502.org/ is an excellent ressource when it comes to homebrew 8-bit systems. Beware of the C64 as a dev platform since it is mostly built on custom chips and has atrociously slow mass storage. For a simple starting point Grant's boards are quite nice: http://searle.hostei.com/grant/

Good luck with your ambitions hopefully you will keep us updated on eventual updates.



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