What's New
December 13, 2011
Tom Williams worked with the "Guess Your Number" hex dump and produced
some assembly code. You can read about Tom's success disassembling the
"Guess Your Number" hex dump and download his dissassembly source code
and PERL script used to verify the program's checksum.
"6800 CPU-Related Magazine Articles" Area.
December 11, 2011
I) Added a 6800-CPU game from a non-6800 oriented article called "Up Your
Terminal," by W. Fred Kennedy. The article is from the December 1977
issue of "Interface Age."
The author uses his terminal to connect to a 6800 MPU. As an aside he
includes an amusing guessing game. The game doesn't have a name, so I
have called it "Guess Your Number." Only a hex dump of the program is
provided. The pdf includes the magazine's cover, index and the game
itself. The program is "a MIKBUG memory dump of a simple, do nothing,
fun program that readers with an MP6800 MPU, a MIKBUG ROM and a little
troops may find interesting."
The hex dump may be a little hard to read, so I have also included the
original TIFF scan of the program, which is clearer and has
no artifacting.
As with many game programs of this era, this program is extremely
simple, but amusing. It seems that the programmer was having fun just
relishing in the idea that the computer could "talk" back to the game
player. Read the sample program run for more information.
The "Guess Your Number" hex dump can be downloaded here.
April 21, 2011
I) Added a review of the book "Super-Wumpus" by Jack Emmerichs. This
review is from "Interface Age," Feb. 1980 and was written by
Alan R. Miller
A direct link to the review is here.
II) Created a new area to hold Motorola 6800 CPU magazine related articles.
The new area is here.
III) Added 6800-Related Article:
"6800 MIKBUG Dump"
By Tom Munnecke
Source: "Interface Age" (March 1979)
2 Pages, B&W, 35K
This 33-byte program allows the user to look at certain areas of memory
at strategic times when debugging an assembler program on 6800 systems
using the MIKBUG monitor.
The article can be downloaded here.
IV) Added 6800-Related Article:
"A Color Television Interface: Easy - Versatile - Inexpensive"
By William Rogers
Source: "Interface Age" (December 1979)
11 Pages, B&W, 294K
First paragraph from article:
"The contents of this application note will cover many topics concerning
the Video Display Generator; generalizing on some, baiting with others
and specifying one complete project. First, I'll talk about why a
versatile system is easy to build inexpensively. Then I'll turn to the
performance abilities of the VDG and then mention two systems on either
extreme. Fourth I'll enter into a software section including a
demonstrating program, an expandable TV output display program (for an
existing terminal) and a cursor program, which is the main software in
this article, and is also expand-able. Fifth comes the hardware section
complete with an operational schematic for an Exorcisor compatible
board. Other systems may function with the hardware as long as the
proper signals are used."
The article can be downloaded here.
V) Added 6800-Related Article:
"A Text Editor for the 6800"
By Robert Hudson
Source: "Interface Age" (September 1980)
10 Pages, B&W, 288K
This program is a line editor. Here is the first paragraph of
the article:
"A text editor is an important basic tool used to prepare the many types
of files for everyday computer operations. It is a software program that
allows one to easily create or modify text material. The text can
include programs in Basic, Fortran, PL/1, or assembler language as well
as job control language, data file, or magazine articles. The following
text editor should be appealing to 6800 microcomputer owners due to its
small size and powerful set of commands."
The article can be downloaded here.
VI) Added 6800-Related Article:
"A User's View of Stringy Floppy for the 6800"
By Tom Mattingly
Source: "Interface Age" (February 1980)
3 Pages, Color and Grayscale, 2.59MB
Here are the first two paragraphs from the article:
"Are you unwilling to 'shell out' more than $900 for a floppy disk?
Don't despair because there is now an alternative: The Exatron Stringy
Floppy. It is almost as fast, and just as reliable as the floppy disk.
The cost is 1/2 to 1/3 less than a floppy disk."
"As far as storage is concerned the stringy floppy can hold more than a
cassette or single-density 5 1/4" disk. A 120-minute cassette using only
one side at 30 characters per second can hold 108,000 total bytes. Only
one side is used because a stringy floppy cannot be turned over. A floppy
disk using the SWTPC model holds 70-86K total bytes according to my
local SWTPC dealer. The stringy floppy in its longest length of 75 feet
can hold 140,000 total bytes."
The article can be downloaded here.
VII) Added 6800-Related Article:
"Design of an M6800 Based Automatic Weigh Batch System"
By Mike McCormick
Source: "Interface Age" (March 1980)
4 Pages, B&W and Grayscale, 156K
Here are two of the three first paragraphs from the article:
"The M-6800 has been successfully used as a real time process controller
for automatic weigh batch systems. The weigh batchers are marketed by
MCM Systems to ready mix cement producers and are rapidly gaining
acceptance in other applications which require precision batching of dry
material and fluids for operator selected mix designs. [...]"
"This article describes the design and optimization of an M-6800 based
controller for the system. Following a brief review of the batching
process the hardware and software design processes are reviewed."
The article can be downloaded here.
VIII) Added 6800-Related Article:
Designing the Lakeland Repeater
By Bill Hunsicker
Source: "Interface Age" (January 1979)
6 Pages, B&W and Grayscale, 456K
Here are the articles first few paragraphs along with nine goals:
An old college friend, George P. Burdell, dropped by to see me not too
long ago.
After trading a few amenities, we began discussing computer
applications.
"Bill, I had an idea about using a microcomputer to run the
Lakeland Amateur Radio Repeater."
"I knew it! OK, I can give you some of what you want, but Just what
are we setting out to accomplish? In other words, what are our goals?
Here, let me show you what I mean." I then wrote 9 goals on
the blackboard:
GOALS
1. Recognize input signals. (COR and others later on)
2. Control the repeater transmitter.
3. Keep accurate time. (transparent to current operations)
4. Perform ID on a time scheduled basis.
5. Maintain and update internal timers.
6. Provide windbag, tailgate and transmitter time-out control.
7. Provide tone-modulated code. (also transparent)
8. Provide a "Kerchunk" filter.
9. Provide for future growth. (Phone-Patch, etc.)
I said, "The next thing we should do is to define the steps that
need to be accomplished."
George interrupted me. "Then we need to develop a flow chart, write
the program, develop the hardware..." Our list grew to a total of
eight items.
The article can be downloaded here.
IX) Added 6800-Related Article:
"High Performance Low Cost New Printer"
By Owen F. Thomas
Source: "Interface Age" (April 1979)
13 Pages, B&W and Grayscale, 404K
How to interface a $257 OEM electric discharge printer to a 6800-based
computer. This printer requires a special aluminum coated paper which is
available for $0.95 per 90 foot roll. One roll will hold about 6,000
lines, or about 250,000 characters.
The article can be downloaded here.
X) Added 6800-Related Article:
"Home Applications for the 6800 Home Applications for the 6800"
By David E. Shambaugh
Source: "Interface Age" (June 1979)
4 Pages, B&W and Grayscale, 677K
Here are the first few paragraphs from the article:
This article deals with a Motorola MEK 6800 D2 kit, which sells for
about $225. The "D2" kit comes with several capabilities: an MC6800 MPU;
three MCM6810 RAMs (128x8 each): two MC6820 Peripheral Interface
Adapters (PIA); one Asynchronous Communication Inter-face Adapter
(ACIA): one MC6871 Clock Generator and one MCM6830 ROM with
JBUG monitor.
When assembled, the kit consists of these parts separated on two boards,
the MPU board and the display board. The display board contains the
six 7-segment displays, the keyboard and the audio cassette circuitry.
This allows the ACIA and second PIA available to the user in the event
that the user has access to an RS-232 TTY terminal. Wire wrap space is
available for up to twenty 16-pin DIP packages for user
designed circuitry.
The kit as built with the JBUG ROM, is a very powerful device which can
be used for all sorts of applications around the home. This article
tells you how to take a D2 kit and make:
1) Digital Clock
2) Burglar Alarm
3) Timer/Control
The article can be downloaded here.
XI) Added 6800-Related Article:
"In-Line Machine Language Subroutines for BASIC Interpreters"
By John P. Newcomer
Source: "Interface Age" (February 1979)
2 Pages, B&W and Grayscale, 356K
Here are the first few paragraphs from the article:
Robert Uiterwick's Floppy ROM BASIC was an important addition to my
SWTPC 6800 computer system, but I needed something more convenient than
the USER function to permit machine-language operations. The need was
met by what I call a PATsubroutine interpreter.
Floppy ROM BASIC doesn't care what you put after the PAT in PATCH so
long as you don't overflow the input buffer. If you want to key in a
sequence of machine-language instructions, you may. The trick, then, is
to convert the ASCII character sequence into true machine code and
execute it when the PATch command is executed by BASIC.
The article can be downloaded here.
XII) Added 6800-Related Article:
"M6800 Program Relocator"
By Dr. Gordon W. Wolfe
Source: "Interface Age" (March 1979)
3 Pages, B&W and Grayscale, 72K
Here are the first few paragraphs from the article:
One of the major advantages of a 6800-based microcomputer is the great
amount of software available, either in microcomputer magazines or from
the manufacturer or support companies which sell software. Basic
interpreters, text editors, assemblers and disassemblers as well as
several game and utility programs have all been published and are on
the market as well.
One minor problem with software not written by the user is that the
program may not reside in a convenient segment of RAM memory. For
example, a printer handler may occupy the same memory location as the
executive portion of a disassembler (obtained from a different source)
requiring a handler for a printer. In order to use the handler to print
the results of the disassembly, it will be necessary to have the handler
in a usable location. [...]
The following program will transfer a block of data or a machine
language program from one location to another and allow it to remain
executable in the new location.
The article can be downloaded here.
XIII) Added 6800-Related Article:
"MEK6800 D2 Evaluation Kit"
By Stanley F. Lundgren
Source: "Interface Age" (August 1980)
10 Pages, B&W and Grayscale, 602K
Here are the first few paragraphs from the article:
When I decided to become familiar with microprocessors, I wanted a
system that would give me experience with both hardware and
software. The Motorola MEK 6800 D2 evaluation kit is such a system.
My decision to purchase the kit was mainly economic. I did not make a
study of the hardware, software or bus structures. I found that for less
than $300 I could have a microprocessor-driven computer system.
The article can be downloaded here.
XIV) Added 6800-Related Article:
"Speeding up your SWTP 6800"
By Harry Fair
Source: "Interface Age" (August 1979)
1 Page, B&W, 602K
Here are the first few paragraphs from the article:
The process of attempting to decrease execution time can be approached
from many different angles. Some timesavers are: streamlining programs,
eliminating redundancies, avoiding goto functions, decreasing the
arithmetic accuracy or even go to integer arithmetic, such as in TSC's
Micro BASIC. You can use a compiler instead of an interpreter for higher
level languages; however, you may find the time needed for compiling and
saving the compiled code outweighs the advantages on shorter programs.
You can also attack the root of the problem and increase the
hardware speed.
When I first began writing long statistical programs, I became painfully
aware of the need for greater speed. Like all good programmers, I began
to simplify and eliminate. I reduced the programs down to their very
essence. I ran benchmark programs to find the fastest forms of program
writing. I even declared all my variables in the start so they would be
ordered in the table; but, alas, one program still took over 16 hours
to run.
I began to look at other methods. A simpler form of BASIC with only
integer arithmetic was out (I need the accuracy and decimals). A
compiler seemed logical, but they were expensive and somewhat difficult
to use. Finally there was the hardware with all those gates registers
and counters.
The article can be downloaded here.
XIV) Added 6800-Related Article:
Motorola 6800 Instruction Set, The: Two Programming Points of View
By Paul M. Jessop
Source: "Byte" (January 1978)
2 Pages, Color and Grayscale, 1.13MB
Here is the first paragraph from the article:
When faced with the problem of trying to hand assemble a machine
language program, the task of looking up each of the op codes in the
manufacturer's data can be quite daunting. Admittedly, some become
familiar before very long but the less common instructions still cause
problems (do you 6800 users remember the hexadecimal op code for TPA?).
Two solutions to this dilemma are suggested here. The first is suitable
for "switch flippers" and the second for users of MIKBUG and other
systems with hexadecimal dump and load functions.
The article can be downloaded here.
April 20, 2011
I) Added "Best of Interface Age, Volume 2: General Purpose Software,"
edited by the Interface Age Staff. This book was published in 1980.
Volume Number 2 of the five volume "Best of Interface Age" series is
significant since it presents thirteen of the most-asked-for system and
application software articles printed in "Interface Age."
The articles that are contained within this volume were chosen not only
for their value as working software systems, but also for their value in
showing a number of different programming techniques. We at "Interface
Age" firmly believe that serious students of software, and those that
just enjoy making use of software will find this book invaluable.
You can download the book, here.
April 19, 2011
I) The book "Best of Interface Age: Volume I, Software in BASIC," is an
excellent scan, yet an alternate, grayscale version (scanned by another
source) of chapter four, "The Great Experiment-- Floppy ROM # 1 Robert
Uiterwyk's 6800 4K BASIC," is available in case separate sources are
needed for comparison. This 1.67MB chapter can be downloaded here.
You can download the chapter, here.
April 18, 2011
I) Added "The Byte Book of Computer Music," edited by Christopher P.
Morgan. This book was published in 1979.
Would-be musicologists and fugue fanciers take note!
"The BYTE Book of Computer Music" combines the best computer music
articles from past issues of BYTE Magazine with exciting new material--
all written for the computer experimenter interested in this
fascinating field.
You will enjoy Hal Chamberlin's "A Sampling of Techniques for Computer
Performance of Music," which shows how you can create four-part melodies
on your computer. For the budget minded, "A $19 Music Interface"
contains practical tutorial information-- and organ fans will enjoy
reading "Electronic Organ Chips for Use in Computer Music Synthesis."
New material includes "Polyphony Made Easy" and "A Terrain Reader." The
first describes a handy circuit that allows you to enter more than one
note at a time into your computer from a musical keyboard. The "Terrain
Reader" is a remarkable program that creates random music based on land
terrain maps.
Other articles range from flights of fancy about the reproductive
systems of pianos to Fast Fourier transform programs written in BASIC
and 6800 machine language, multi-computer music systems, Walsh
Functions, and much more.
For the first time, material difficult to obtain has been collected into
one convenient, easy to read book. An ardent do-it-yourselfer or
armchair musicologist will find this book to be a useful addition to
the library.
You can download the book, here.
March 31, 2011
I) Added "Best of Interface Age: Volume I, Software in BASIC," edited by
Carl D. Warren. This book was published in 1979.
What an unusually named book. With the subtitle "Software in BASIC,"
the reader would expect to find software written in the BASIC language.
That ISN'T what is included at all. Instead, this 314 page book
includes four BASIC interpreters. Each program is QUITE lengthy and is
written in assembly language for three different 8-bit CPUs that were
popular in the mid-to-late 1970's: Intel's 8080, Motorola's 6800, and
National Semiconductor's SC/MP.
If you're looking for another book full of BASIC software, then look
elsewhere. If you're interested in early 8-bit CPUs and would like to
see how some of the computer pioneers used their often "assembly
required" computers then this book is for you.
You can download the book, here.
March 17, 2011
I) Added one general programming book and one book "preview."
1) "Bar Code Loader" - Added Complete Book
By Ken Budnick, 1977
2) "The Byte Computer Music Book" - Added Description, three reviews,
and an advertisement.
Edited By Christopher P. Morgan, 1979
You can download the books here.
March 16, 2011
I) Added one 6800 CPU Programming book.
1) "LINK68: An M6800 Linking Loader"
By Robert D. Grappel and Jack E. Hemenway, 1978
You can download the books here.
March 15, 2011
I) Added three general 6800 CPU programming books:
1) "RA6800ML: An M6800 Relocatable Macro Assembler"
By Jack E. Hemenway, 1978
2) "Super-Wumpus"
By Jack Emmerichs, 1978
3) "Tiny Assembler, Version 3.1: Design and Implementation of a
Microprocessor Self Assembler" By Jack Emmerichs, 1978
You can download the books here.
October 2, 2010
I) Added rough source code for "UFO / Sea Monsters / Break It Down / Rebuild /
Shoot (with variations)". DASMX was used and most of the code has been
disassembled, but it is not commented. Most of the graphics, however, have
been figured out, and that IS commented:
You can download the source code here.
September 29, 2010
I) Added "6800 Programming for Logic Design" by Adam Osborne. This book
was published in 1977. Here is some information about the book from
the Introduction:
This book explains how an assembly language program within a
microcomputer system can replace combinatorial logic- that is, the
combined use of "off-the-shelf," non-programmable logic devices, such as
standard 7400 series digital logic.
If you are a logic designer, this book will teach you how to do your old
job in a new way- by creating assembly language programs within a
microcomputer system.
If you are a programmer, this book will show you how programming has
found a new purpose- in logic design.
This is a "how to do it" book; as such, it has to become very specific,
so a particular type of microcomputer, the MC6800, is referenced
directly.
What This Book Assumes You Know
This book is a sequel to "An Introduction To Microcomputers," which was
a single volume in its first edition, but is two volumes in its
second edition.
"An Introduction To Microcomputers" describes microprocessors and
microcomputers conceptually; it does not address itself to the practical
matter of implementing a concept. This book addresses the practical
matter of implementation.
In that this book is a sequel, it makes a single assumption- that you
have read, or you otherwise understand the material covered in "An
Introduction To Microcomputers". However, before launching into a real
design project, you will need vendor literature that specifically
describes the devices you have elected to use.
Note in particular that hardware and timing are not described in this
book, either for the MC6800 CPU, or any other microcomputer devices;
sufficient information may be found in "An Introduction To
Microcomputers", Volume II- Some Real Products.
The MC6800 instruction set is described in Chapter 6 of this book, since
programming is what this book is all about.
Understanding Assembly Language
Assembly language instructions are the transfer functions of a
microcomputer system; taken together, they constitute an "instruction
set," which describes the individual operations which the microcomputer
can perform.
You define the events which must occur within the microcomputer system
serially- as a sequence of instructions, which, taken together,
constitute an assembly language program.
In reality, understanding what individual instructions do within a
microcomputer system is very straightforward; it is one of the simplest
aspects of working with microcomputers. Yet it unduly terrifies users who
are new to programming. If that includes you, a word of advice - forget
about mnemonics and instruction sets; take instructions one at a time as
you encounter them in this book. When you do not understand what an
instruction is doing, look it up in Chapter 6.
The specter of "programming" will haunt you only if you let it.
You can download "6800 Programming for Logic Design" here.
September 15, 2010
I) Added the 1994 book "Microprocessors: Experiments for the Motorola 6800"
by Kerry Urbaniak.
This lab manual is an introduction to microprocessor programming
and interfacing. Its purpose is to provide an understanding of general
microprocessor concepts to someone with no prior microprocessor training
or knowledge. It is not intended to teach someone everything there is to
know about the Motorola 6800 Microprocessor.
The labs are designed to teach concepts common to all micro-
processors, so the knowledge gained can easily be used to further study,
or work with, any type of microprocessor. For this reason, only the
details of the microprocessor necessary to perform the lab and understand
the concepts are covered.
The manual is designed to accompany any introductory text on micro-
processors. [This book seems to be written with at least one target
textbook in mind: "Microprocessors: Fundamental Concepts and
Applications" by Victor E. Gibson.]
You can download "Microprocessors: Experiments for the
Motorola 6800" here.
September 14, 2010
I) Added a 1978 book by Lance A. Levanthal called "The 6800 Microprocessor:
A Self-Study Course with Applications." From the Introduction:
"The 6800 Laboratory Manual is designed as the basis of a self-
study course in microprocessor applications for use with a minimal
Motorola 6800 computer."
We recommend that the Motorola M6800 Programming Reference Manual
and the Motorola M6800 Microcomputer System Design Data Manual be used
as reference sources with this Manual."
You can download "The 6800 Microprocessor: A Self-Study Course with
Applications" here.
September 1, 2010
I) Added the 1981 book called "Microcomputer Experimentation with the
Motorola MEK 6800D2" by Lance A. Leventhal. This near-500-page book
focuses on programming the 6800 and uses the Motorola's own MEK6800D2
development system as a means to do this. Here is the description from
the back cover of the book:
This practical, easy-to-follow and self-contained guide to Motorola
MEK6800D2 experiments was prepared for the growing population of
microcomputer users representing diverse disciplines and a wide variety
of applications. Its emphasis throughout is on approaches that are
fundamental to the design of controllers for external systems; at the
same time, it illustrates its points through examples that use nothing
more complex than switches, single displays, and the on-board
peripherals.
The inexpensive and widely available MEK6800D2 microcomputer and 6800
microprocessor were selected to provide realistic experience with
popular devices for those involved in a wide range of control
applications-instrumentation, communications equipment, test equipment,
computer peripherals, industrial processes, signal processing, business
equipment, consumer products, and more.
Author Lance Leventhal has organized his manual carefully and
systematically to include an excellent overview, two major groupings of
experiments, and an extensive list of references. Each chapter contains
references, learning guidelines, definitions of terms, descriptions of
new instructions, schematics for all interfaces, several fully-tested and
documented examples (over 85 in all), and a summary of key points. No
background in computer programming or digital logic is assumed. The
manual includes over 270 practical problems that are closely tied to the
examples; a complete, fully-tested set of answers is available.
Experiments in the first group focus on writing and running simple
programs, simple input and output, processing of inputs and outputs,
forming and processing data arrays, designing and debugging programs,
and arithmetic operations. The second set of experiments deals with
subroutines and the stack, input/output using handshakes, interrupts,
timing methods, serial input/output, and microcomputer timing
and control.
You can download "Microcomputer Experimentation with the Motorola
MEK 6800D2" here.
August 28, 2010
I) Added the 1976 book "M6800 Programming Reference Manual" by Motorola,
Inc. Here is part of the introduction to the book:
Motorola Microsystem's software and development tools for the M6800 have
been designed to simplify the implementation of systems using the M6800
Microcomputer Family. The M6800 Programming Reference Manual is the
basic software reference document to be used as a supplement to
reference manuals for specific software products. It includes
descriptions of:
- M6800 Program-visible Registers
- Interrupts and Stack Operations
- M6800 Addressing Modes
- M6800 Instruction Set
- Commands for
- EXbug
- MIKbug
- MINIbug II
- MINIbug III
The manual also includes descriptions of basic M6800 Microcomputer
Family components:
- MPU
- ROM
- RAM
- PIA
- ACIA
You can download "M6800 Programming Reference Manual" here.
II) Added Motorola, Inc.'s "Engineering Note 100: MCM6830L7 MIKBUG/MINIBUG
ROM." This contains information for Motorola's Monitor/Debugger,
including source code. The document was released in the mid-1970's,
possibly in 1976. Here is some information about the document,
including some of the program's more important features:
The MIKBUG/MINIBUG ROM provides the user with three separate firmware
programs to interface with a serial asynchronous (start-stop) data
communications device. They are:
1) MIKBUG Rev. 9
A. Memory Loader
B. Print Registers of Target Program
C. Print/Punch Dump
D. Memory Change
E. Go to Target Program
F. Operates with PIA for the Parallel-to-Serial Interface
G. Restart/NMI/SWI Interrupt Vectors
2) MINIBUG Rev. 4
A. Memory Loader
B. Memory Change
C. Print Registers of Target Program
D. Go to Target Program
E. Assumes a UART for the Parallel-to-Serial Interface
3) Test Pattern
You can download "Engineering Note 100: MCM6830L7 MIKBUG/MINIBUG ROM" here.
III) Added Motorola's 1976 document, "MEK 6800D2 Manual." Here is a brief
description from the manual's introduction:
This manual provides a general description and operating instructions
for the Motorola MEK6800D2 Evaluation Kit II. The Kit, when assembled,
is a fully functional microcomputer system based on the MC6800
Microprocessing Unit (MPU) and its family of associated memory and I/O
devices. The family is described in the M6800 Microcomputer System
Design Data book (included with the Kit) and in the M6800 Microprocessor
Applications Manual. Detailed programming information is included in
the M6800 Programming Reference Manual.
The MEK6800D2 is designed to provide a completely self-contained method
for evaluating the characteristics of the M6800 family.
You can download the "MEK 6800D2 Manual" here.
August 27, 2010
I) Added the book "Scelbi's Galaxy Game for the '6800'" by Robert Findley
[Scelbi Computer Consulting, Inc.]. Here is the description from the
back cover of the book:
Captain your own crusading starship against the logic of your "6800".
Your mission: search-and-destroy a random number of alien ships. But,
don't run out of time, out of fuel, out of ammunition or out of the
galaxy. Your galaxy consists of 64 quadrants, subdivided into 64
sectors. Plan your mission to destroy all aliens. But, every time you
move you lose a stardate and precious fuel. Don't run into a roaming
star that could damage your ship! And, don't forget how much fuel your
warp factor uses!
Suddenly, "Condition RED! Alien in sight!" How big is he? Fire a
phasor or torpedo? He's damaged or destroyed. But, you've used up
valuable fuel! Does he fire back? How much fuel was used for
protective shields? Be careful. You're running out of time and fuel.
You get the idea. You must maneuver logically, strategically,
carefully... to complete your mission.
Here's the multidimensional computer game you've asked for. Using the
original manufacturer's recommended mnemonics and assembly format, with
hexadecimal notations, you've got a total book form program in machine
language, for 4K memory, with flow charts, illustrations and more.
You can download "Scelbi's Galaxy Game for the "6800" here.
August 26, 2010
I) Added the book "CP/68: An M6800 Operating System" by Jack E. Hemmenway
and Robert D. Grappel. Here is a description of the book from the
Introduction:
CP/68 is a floppy-disc-based operating system that supports standard
peripherals such as a line printer, CRT console, paper-tape reader and
punch and, auxiliary consoles. The preliminary specification was
described in EDN's Software Systems Design Course (Chapter 7),
November 20, 1978. The current version is based on that specification
and an improvement on it.
The operating system's modularity makes it easy to manage conceptually,
and a pleasure to use. It is the most powerful system available for
the 6800 family of microprocessors.
This book presents the entire operating system in seven distinct parts.
Part I introduces you to the operation of the programs; Part II adds the
Advanced User's Guide; Part III covers the system's operation in detail;
Part 4 explores the operation of the formatting utility; Part 5
introduces the random-access file support; Part 6 provides the
information you will need to adapt the software to nonstandard hardware
configurations; Part 7 gives complete source listings.
You can download "CP/68: An M6800 Operating System" here.
August 24, 2010
I) Added the book "MONDEB: An Advanced M6800 Monitor Debugger" by Don
Peters to the book download section. Here is a description of the book
from the back cover:
MONDEB, An Advanced M6800 Monitor Debugger incorporates all the general
features of Motorola's MIKBUG monitor as well as numerous other
capabilities. While extremely versatile, ease of use was a prime design
consideration. The other primary goal was minimum memory requirements
while retaining maximum versatility. The size of the entire MONDEB
program is less than 3K.
Some of the command capabilities of MONDEB include displaying and
setting the contents of registers, setting interrupts for debugging,
testing a programmable memory range for bad memory locations, changing
the display and input base of numbers, displaying the contents of
memory, searching for a specified string, copying a range of bytes from
one location of memory to another and defining the location to which
control will transfer upon an interrupt."
You can download "MONDEB: An Advanced M6800 Monitor Debugger" here.
II) Added the book "Tracer: a 6800 Debugging Program" by Robert Grappel and
Jack Hemenway. This book features:
- Single step execution using dynamic break points
- Register examination and modification
- Memory examination and modification
This books includes:
- "Jack and the Machine Debug"
- Tracer Program Notes
- Complete Assembly and Source Listing
- Complete Object Code Listing
- Machine Code Readable Object Code"
You can download "Tracer: a 6800 Debugging Program" here.
August 23, 2010
I) Added scans of the inside of cartidges. Some PCBs are populated and some
are not. Both the component and solder side are shown. In total,
twenty-one different pictures were added for the following:
1) APF BASIC
2) APF BIOS
3) Baseball
4) Blackjack
5) Bowling/Micro Match
6) Brickdown/Shooting Gallery
7) Casino 1: Slots/Roulette/Keno
8) Catena
9) Hangman/Tic Tac Toe/Doodle
10) Space Destroyers
11) UFO/Sea Monsters/Break It Down/Rebuild/Shoot (with variations)
You can view the new pictures here.
August 22, 2010
I) Added the "APF Programming and Technical Assistance Manual"
You can read this 28MB document (recommended for download, rather than
online reading) here.
II) Added APF MP-1000 and Imagination Machine emulators:
1) APF_EMUW
2) MESS (Link to main page only, with an explanation to avoid this
non-working APF emulator).
3) Virtual APF
Download APF emulators here.
III) Added two homebrew cartridge examples, and one APF BIOS graphic hack:
1) Read PIA 1.01
2) Move Block .02 (aka "Move Block with Checks")
3) Trash Truck 2
These homebrew carts can be downloaded here.
August 21, 2010
I) Added nine tools for programming the APF MP-1000 and Imagination Machine
in assembly language. They are:
1) 2600 GFX
Two programs are included in this archive: Showgfx and Editgfx.
These two command-line programs can be used to, usually,
identify graphics in a binary file and then change them without
needing to know anything about assembly language programming.
2) AS0 and AS11 Cross-Assemblers (For Windows)
Two Cross-Assemblers used to create 6800 Binary code. AS0 is
specifically created to assemble 6800 source code. AS11 is able
to assemble 6800 source code as well as the 6800's big brother:
the 68HC11 MPU. Two extensive manuals are included. These are
the recompiled Win32 versions that do NOT sometimes give a Stack
Overflow error as the official version of these assemblers
sometimes does with large source files. Note: The output of
these programs are S19 files. A program such as BINCVT needs to
be used to create a binary file from the S19 file that these
assemblers create.
3) AS0 and AS11 Cross-Assemblers (For Linux)
Two Cross-Assemblers used to create 6800 Binary code. AS0 is
specifically created to assemble 6800 source code. AS11 is able
to assemble 6800 source code as well as the 6800's big brother:
the 68HC11 MPU. Two extensive manuals are included. These are
the recompiled Win32 versions that do NOT sometimes give a Stack
Overflow error as the official version of these assemblers
sometimes does with large source files. Note: The output of
these programs are S19 files. A program such as BINCVT needs to
be used to create a binary file from the S19 file that these
assemblers create.
4) BINCVT
Convert the S19 output of a 6800 assembler to a plain binary
file. I prefer this converter over MOT2BIN, which doesn't always
seem to work properly for me.
5) DASMX Disassembler
Disassembler for 6800 and other microprocessors.
6) HowDif
A small program to compare the differences between binary files.
The Windows Command Line provides a command called FC (File
Compare) that works well too.
7) Mot2Bin
Convert the S19 output of a 6800 assembler to a plain binary
file. I prefer BINCVT over MOT2BIN.
8) PS Pad Editor
This text editor, when used with one of the 6800 Cross
Assemblers, creates a useful way to program for the APF MP-1000
or Imagination Machine. PSPAd is not quite an IDE, but it is
close. This version has been previously set-up by me to accept
ASM files as 6800 programs. It will automatically assemble, but
the path of the 6800 assembler needs to be given.
9) WinHex
The best Windows hex editor that I've used. This freely
distributable version can work with files of any size, but is
limited to saving files that are 200 KB or smaller-- but that
works great for binary files that would be used on the APF
console and computer.
You can view the programming tools here.
August 20, 2010
I) Added disassembled source code for three APF MP-1000 cartridges and the
MPF MP-1000 System ROM. This source code was disassembled by Adam
Trionfo using the DASMX disassembler. All of this source code is
commented to SOME extent, although some of it barely has any comments at
all. Still, if you're interested in how one of the cartridges (or the
MP-1000 System ROM) works, then starting off with this is better than
starting off from scratch with just the plain binary file.
All of this source code can be assembled using Motorola's AS0 assembler.
The resulting binary image will match, byte-for-byte, EXACTLY with the
original cartridge or System ROM.
1. APF System ROM - 2K ROM
2. Brickdown/Shooting Match - 2K ROM
3. Catena - 2K ROM
4. Space Destroyers - 6K ROM
You can view the source code here.
August 17, 2010
I) Added the "What's New" page.
II) Added description describing APF website.
July 20, 2010
I) This APF site is first put online. There isn't much to look at yet. Here
is what is currently available:
1. 6800 CPU Programming - General Motorola 6800 CPU Programming
Nine books covering the 6800 CPU are currently available:
1) 6800 Assembly Language Programming, By Lance
Leventhal (1978)
2) 6800 Microprocessor, The (1992), By Jack Quinn (1992)
3) 6800 Software Gourmet Guide & Cookbook By Robert
Findley, By Robert Findley (1976)
4) Basic Microprocessors and the 6800, By Ron Bishop By
Ron Bishop (1979)
5) How to Program and Interface the 6800, By Andrew C.
Staugaard Jr. (1980)
6) Introduction to 6800 / 68000 Microprocessors, By
Frederick F Driscoll (1987)
7) M6800 Microprocessor Applications Manual By Motorola,
By Motorola (1975)
8) [6800] Microprocessors - Book 1 and 2, By
Heathkit (1985)
9) Using Microprocessors and Microcomputers - The 6800
Family, By Joseph D Greenfield and William C Wray (1981)
2. APF Programming - APF Homebrew Programming
There is nothing in this section yet. Eventually it will have
APF specific programming information.
3. Homebrew Cartridges - APF Homebrew Cartridges
Three APF homebrew cartridges were added. These can be played
on real hardware or in an emulator.
1) CharDump - Character Table Generator, By Adam Trionfo
2) Columns, By Enrique Collado (Imagination Machine only)
3) Move Block .01, By Adam Trionfo
4. Links - APF Links
Three APF specific links were added:
1) APF Consoles and Computers Discussion Group
2) APF Imagination Page
3) Home Computer & Video Game Museum