Atari 2600 - Worlds hardest Machine Language to Learn ??

[wombombs]

 

I heard somewhere that Atari 2600 Coding is the hardest to learn than all other consoles and computers.

 

 

Is this True ??

[Albert]

Yes, programming the Atari 2600 is very difficult. While the "machine language" itself isn't unusual. It's pretty much straight 6502 (the 2600 uses a 6507), although some instructions are missing and you only have direct access to 4K of memory. What makes it difficult to program for is the fact that the 2600 doesn't have any video memory, so you need to draw the display in real-time as the scanline is racing down the screen! Timing is very critical, and you'll be counting each individual instruction cycle, especially when optimizing your code.

 

I haven't yet written any Atari 2600 programs, but I am hoping to have a game ready by next year's CGE (or earlier). I used to do a lot of 6502 programming on the Atari 8-bit, so that will hopefully come back to me quickly. I will thus need to spend most of my time learning all the ins and outs of 2600 programming. Fortunately there are many excellent resources available on the net, as well as the Stella mailing list where many very knowledgable Atari programmers hang out.

 

..Al

[smf_4ever]

I recently came across a great source for learning 6502 language that isnt as dry and lame as some of the other books I have. "Atari Roots" by mark andrews. It is instructions on assembly language using an Atari 8-bit.. for the 8-bit.. yea.. it is taylored to the 400/800 atari line.. but I find this one of the better written books.