Atari8 Memory Maps Needed!

[Harry Potter]

I want to learn to program the Atari using cc65 and need memory maps of the used RAM locations, the I/O and the kernal routines. That's all I need. Where can I find them? BTW, I have the Mapping the Atari book, but all its contents are contained in one big chunk of the book, and that makes it hard to navigate.

[dmsc]

Hi,

 

I want to learn to program the Atari using cc65 and need memory maps of the used RAM locations, the I/O and the kernal routines. That's all I need. Where can I find them? BTW, I have the Mapping the Atari book, but all its contents are contained in one big chunk of the book, and that makes it hard to navigate.

For the hardware locations, best reference is the Altirra Hardware Reference Manual, you can download the PDF from http://www.virtualdub.org/downloads/Altirra%20Hardware%20Reference%20Manual.pdf

 

For the OS, there is the Operating System User's Manual, download from http://atariage.com/forums/topic/127483-atari-os-and-hardware-manuals-get-them-here/

[Harry Potter]

Thank you!

[+slx]

You might also want to look for "Mapping the Atari" which is a bit more accessible than the two above. It's available online from several websites. There a "Master Memory Map" as well but I haven't used that much.

 

"De Re Atari" is good as well.

[tep392]

I second De Re Atari for general technical info on how the Atari works. If you are just learning the Atari then this book will give you a good idea how the machine works. You can find it online.

[Harry Potter]

I have Mapping the Atari, but it doesn't divide its information well: most of the book is in one huge chapter rather than sectioning off the information by functionality.

[phaeron]

Use the OS Manual. Mapping the Atari lists too many internal details of the OS and DOS 2.0S and doesn't distinguish between the memory locations that are and aren't supposed to be used by programs.

[Harry Potter]

Okay.

[+slx]

I have Mapping the Atari, but it doesn't divide its information well: most of the book is in one huge chapter rather than sectioning off the information by functionality.

That results from it being a memory map covering everything in the order of addresses. Maybe Im just partial to it because it was the one I used as a teenager. Today I find it convenient for quick lookups, back then I read it cover to cover

 

Todays luxury is that you can freely use all three and search through the PDFs.

[flashjazzcat]

Agreed. Physical copy of Mapping the Atari is still permanently on my desk after 25 years and what can't be found via numerical lookup can be found in "Index by Label". If I had a hard-copy of Avery's Hardware Reference Manual, I'd have two Atari books permanently on the desk.

[+Stephen]

That results from it being a memory map covering everything in the order of addresses. Maybe Im just partial to it because it was the one I used as a teenager. Today I find it convenient for quick lookups, back then I read it cover to cover

 

Todays luxury is that you can freely use all three and search through the PDFs.

You know, fr some reason I still prefer thumbing through pages of paper, as opposed to searching PDF for these old reference manuals. Don't know if it's nostalgia, or if it really is easier having the real books.

[Harry Potter]

Thanks!

[+slx]

You know, fr some reason I still prefer thumbing through pages of paper, as opposed to searching PDF for these old reference manuals. Don't know if it's nostalgia, or if it really is easier having the real books.

Fully understand that, nothing beats sticking a finger between pages to mark your actual position, I n very got the hang of digital bookmarks, though I really have come to like the search function. I also do some programming on the road and dont like to lug my precious copies of Mapping the Atari with me (and there isnt a bound copy of phaerons manual yet).

[flashjazzcat]

Further to my previous post, the imagined scenario magically came true:

 

 

Seriously: massive thanks to Robert Stuart of Excel magazine who sent me this spare two volume copy of the Altirra Hardware Reference Manual as an early Christmas present after printing the document for himself. A fantastic, thoughtful and genuinely useful gift.