C64 machine language/assembler book

sovsekoder

hey coders,

I have never read any english 6502/6510 ML or assembler books. Are there any books that are known as "classics"?

i need (title + author), thanks in advance Smile

Donski · Newbie Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 10

I don't know how much programming experience you have, but if you've never programmed before then I wouldn't start with assembler because it's the hardest. Start with something simple like BASIC and get a feel for writing subroutines and things. You have to come to realize just how tedious programming can be.

After that you need to learn the mnemonics of 6502 like lda, sta, iny and bne along with just how many steps it takes just to fill an area with spaces. I don't know which is the best book for learning the language itself, some people with a good understanding of programming in general only need a list of the commands. And learning 6502 isn't Commodore specific, so any book that you feel is easy to read will do the trick. I used a book with a brown cover called Machine Language for Beginners.

But once you understand the basics of programming in 6502 you will need reference guides to the C64 so you know where the kernal subroutines and important registers are. Here are two books that I felt were very helpful to me when I was writing programs for the C64. The Commodore 64 Programmers Reference Guide and Anatomy of the Commodore 64.

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gklinger · Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:26 pm Post subject:

I've always been partial to Machine Language for the Commodore 64 (and Other Commodore Computers) by Jim Butterfield. You can download an electronic copy (along with some other good programming books) from here. You can find Machine Language for Beginners here and The Programmer's Reference Guide here.
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Donski · Newbie Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 10

WOW, Jim Butterfield, that's a name I came across a lot back in the 80's while working with the C64. I've got to respect him, he's a legend. Too bad he died of cancer last year. Crying or Very sad

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Arkhan · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 1:19 am Post subject:

The butterfield book is excellent....!

Its one of the best books ive read on ML for C64...... and it even teaches you concepts that would apply to other languages, like Intel assembly.
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sovsekoder · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 9:23 am Post subject:

Donski wrote:

I don't know how much programming experience you have, ...

I know how to program but it would be nice to have a book just for memories Smile

...thx for all the suggestions! Very Happy

sovsekoder · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 10:50 am Post subject:

Glanced through the book, "Machine language for the commodore 64 and other commodore computers..". Looks good Smile

nice appendix-section with good info.

Do you guys have any tips on where to buy such a book. I saw it on amazon - as "used book".

Would it be a bad idea to buy it there?

gklinger · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 3:24 pm Post subject:

sovsekoder wrote:

Do you guys have any tips on where to buy such a book.

I would look on eBay. I often see them selling for $15-$25 there which doesn't seem unreasonable to me.
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sovsekoder · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 10:11 pm Post subject:

does the book, "Machine Language for the Commodore 64 and Other Commodore Computers", only exist as paperback/softcover ?

Dan Gillgrass · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:00 am Post subject:

Wasnt the Programmers Reference Guide scanned and uploaded someplace?
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Donski · Newbie Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 10

Dan Gillgrass wrote:

Wasnt the Programmers Reference Guide scanned and uploaded someplace?

http://www.commodore.ca/manual...erence.htm

http://www.freeinfosociety.com...ostnum=275
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Hey Hey, My My, Rock N Roll will never die
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tfg · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:36 pm Post subject:

Dan Gillgrass wrote:

Wasnt the Programmers Reference Guide scanned and uploaded someplace?

As text-only version:

http://project64.c64.org/misc/index.html

Jim Butterfield's book is also available there.
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gklinger · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 7:47 pm Post subject:

Quick OT question: Do most people read the entire thread before posting?
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sovsekoder · Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 8:05 pm Post subject:

gklinger wrote:

Quick OT question: Do most people read the entire thread before posting?

heh

yeah, looks like your previous links are overlooked..

iAN CooG

omega120 wrote:

If you dont know anything about Commodore 64 machine code and want to learn then visit my web site :- www.peterscommodore64.cjb.net

and... apart being a redirect of http://geocities.com/mantisdawn which exists for years without anything than your 2 old lousy games, what should one learn from it about coding c64? There is nothing to read.
At least provide something before spamming it, FFS!
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sixstringmonk

iAN CooG wrote:

and... apart being a redirect of http://geocities.com/mantisdawn which exists for years without anything than your 2 old lousy games, what should one learn from it about coding c64? There is nothing to read.
At least provide something before spamming it, FFS!

There are coding docs if you click the "next" link between the game links.

Arkhan · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 8:35 pm Post subject:

sovsekoder wrote:

does the book, "Machine Language for the Commodore 64 and Other Commodore Computers", only exist as paperback/softcover ?

I think so.

I got my copy's cover laminated.

I somehow got a copy for 85 cents or something.........

i love the oldschool coloring book pages!
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Who the hell is General Failure, and why is he reading my disk?.

jbuonacc

iAN CooG wrote:

...which exists for years without anything than your 2 old lousy games, what should one learn from it about coding c64? There is nothing to read.
At least provide something before spamming it, FFS!

need some help pulling your foot out of your mouth, Mr. CooG? Smile

looks like it's in there pretty deep...

actually looks like a damn good read for a beginner (like myself).

iAN CooG

jbuonacc wrote:

need some help pulling your foot out of your mouth, Mr. CooG? Smile

Don't care too much of my mouth, be worried about you tongue licking his ass instead. His spamming behaviours are already known, I was upset about idiotic modes of spamming his site. Here's an example of some weeks ago, in an italian chat

Quote:

[20:05] <omega120> hi C64 CHATTERS
[20:05] <rob-erto> ciao
[20:06] <omega120> HAS ANYONE HERE CREATED A ML GAME
[20:06] * Looking up omega120 user info...
[20:06] <iAN_CooG> you have the caps lock key stuck
[20:07] <iAN_CooG> please clean your keyboard and try to remove crumbs under it
[20:07] <iAN_CooG> Very Happy

[20:07] <omega120> GO TO THIS WEB SITE AND DOWNLOAD MY GAME CALLED MANKY www.peterscommodore64.cjb.net
[20:07] <iAN_CooG> anyway, this is not an international chat, we speak italian here
[20:07] <iAN_CooG> no I won't
[20:08] <iAN_CooG> thank you anyway
[20:08] <omega120> why not u scared to download it
[20:08] <rob-erto> mr wongs loopy laundry
[20:08] <rob-erto> e manky
[20:08] <omega120> i wrote that as well its not finished
[20:09] <iAN_CooG> go lemon64.com and tell all the world about it /rollseyes
[20:10] <rob-erto> http://www.gb64.com/game.php?i...18&h=0
[20:10] <rob-erto> parlai di questo gioco 7-8 anni con overkiller, non era ancora finito
[20:10] <iAN_CooG> capisco
[20:10] <omega120> MANKY IS FINISHED PLAY IT IF U DARE U MITE FIND IT A BIT IMPOSSIBLE BUT THE CRACK COMPANY SECRET CRACKED MY GAME MANKY THE SPOILSPORTS THEY ARE
[20:10] * Timer 1 activated
[20:10] * iAN_CooG sets mode: +b *!*@Azzurra-412CBD89.ipt.aol.com
[20:11] * Timer 1 halted
[20:11] * omega120 was kicked by iAN_CooG (iAN_CooG)

jbuonacc wrote:

actually looks like a damn good read for a beginner (like myself).

Oh yeah, you'll learn a lot from that page, go on reading. Rolling Eyes

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omega120 · Groupie in Training Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 72

Did you click on the word `NEXT` which will get you to the learning of `machine code` Very Happy

oswald · Über Groupie Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 358

ian, that was rude....

Zirias · Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 11:55 pm Post subject:

oswald, just take a look at the 2 posts above yours ... this dipshit IS spamming!

gklinger · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 12:52 am Post subject:

We appear to have another thecommodore64kid on our hands, intellectually speaking. Evil or Very Mad

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square · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 1:14 am Post subject:

I really like Programming The 6502, by Rodney Zaks.

It's the clearest of all the books I have and the writing style is excellent. I always have it sitting beside me Smile

gklinger · Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 2:38 am Post subject:

square wrote:

I really like Programming The 6502, by Rodney Zaks.

The first edition is to be avoided (it has lots of mistakes) and unfortunately some of them made it through to the third edition. I understand the fourth edition is better so if you ever see one for sale, grab it. I need to buy a copy of the fourth edition for myself one of these days so I scan it in. It really is a nicely written book.
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