Coding in Assembler on the MTX

[wyerd]

Besides The Source, are there any other books that you would recommend for the beginner learning how to code in assembler for the MTX? Although The Source is an excellent guide, it does assume that you know some Z80 in the first place.

Could you share any tips and do you use MEMU for your coding or real iron?

Thank you!

[Martin A]

Looking a the bookshelf, the most worn book there is my copy of Zaks' book "Programming the Z80"

Which seems to be available at Archive.org
https://archive.org/details/Programming ... odnay_Zaks

The MTX manuals themselves have good info on the VDP, sound chip etc.

That was it for me basically.

Most of my coding these days is ROM code, for the MTX plus, CFX etc which can't be done with the MTX's on-board assembler. So I mostly code on the old Acorn Risc PC or a Raspberry Pi using an assembler I wrote in BBC basic, then blow the ROM on a PC and test on bare metal.

[thewiz]

If you are looking for a Z80 book, Toni Baker's Mastering Machine Code on your ZX81 is a good primer. It's what I used back in 1982/3.

http://www.users.waitrose.com/~thunor/m ... index.html

Ok so it's very ZX81 centric but explains the instructions well IMHO.

[AndyKey]

M80+l80 or sdqsz80 to code
Memu to run

Would be my choice.
The diagnostic options on MEMU can be really useful.

[Bill B]

I too first learnt Z80 programming on a Sinclair ZX81. The books I used at the time were:

Machine Language Programming made simple for your Sinclair - Anonymous
Understanding your ZX81 ROM - Ian Logan
Sinclair ZX81 ROM Disassembly Part A - Ian Logan
Sinclair ZX81 ROM Disassembly Part B - Ian Logan & Frank O'Hara

These were acquired by chance from local WH Smiths on one day. It was having the latter two which encouraged me to purchase both the MTX and SDX ROM listings when GenPat made them available.

Most of my Z80 programming has been done on the MTX running CP/M, using a Z80 assembler I wrote myself, and bootstrapped from FDXB.

Other significant books for me:

Z80 Applications - James Coffron (Taught me Z80 hardware)
Soul of CP/M - Michell Waite & Robert Lafore (A good introduction to CP/M, but assumes 8080 rather than Z80)

[wyerd]

Thanks for the comments guys. Just what I was looking for.

[1024MAK]

If you are looking for a Z80 book, Toni Baker's Mastering Machine Code on your ZX81 is a good primer. It's what I used back in 1982/3.

http://www.users.waitrose.com/~thunor/m ... index.html

Ok so it's very ZX81 centric but explains the instructions well IMHO.

The link above is the HTML version of the ZX81 edition (with corrections to the errors)

Also Toni Baker's Mastering Machine Code on your ZX Spectrum Link to a PDF version

And of course, the Z80 site www.z80.info. Lots and lots of information there

And last, but not least, Zilog have a web site, and their Z80 CPU manual and peripherals manual are available. Linky.

Mark

[thewiz]

The other place I learnt to code z80 (and 6502 for that matter) was the various magazines available back in the day. Your Computer being a good candidate. Amazing the number of tutorials available, all in monthly bite sized pieces

Those where the days.

What is needed now is a tutorial on how to write commercial grade z80/6502 games. I still need to get my head around animation. I know the theory but never implemented it.

Good luck with your developments.