Merlin 128

[Stephane Richard]

Hi everyone,

As you might know from another post here, I'm looking to learn assembly programming, now maybe today it's different, but back then, it seemed that Merlin 128 was at the top of the foodchain so to speak.

Either I don't know how to look, and/or don't know where to look...but does anyone know where I can find this?  If not, would anyone have an assembler they would recommend even more than Merlin 128 and of course, where to get it?

Thank you :-)

[Guest]

If you want to code directly on the 128, I think Merlin is still well respected.  Personaly, I find it a lot easier to code on the PC and test in VICE, then do final testing on a real 128.  For that, I use CC65 (for both C and Assembler).  For C, CC65 is limited to BANK 0, but for assembler you have complete control.

[Stephane Richard]

CC65 huh? sounds interesting I can imagine things being alot faster using this setup :-).

ok, I'm hooked, where do I get it?  and what's the prefered setup for both C and Assembler development?  does it come with an editor?  etc etc. ?

[Blacklord]

CC65 huh? sounds interesting I can imagine things being alot faster using this setup :-).

ok, I'm hooked, where do I get it?  and what's the prefered setup for both C and Assembler development?  does it come with an editor?  etc etc. ?

http://www.cc65.org/

cheers,

Lance

[Stephane Richard]

Ahhh...for some reason, my genetic coding seeems to have a problem with remembering that .org websites even exist ;-).  I tried .com, .net, .tk, you name it, but .org always seem to slip away from list of alternatives :-).

Thank you :-)....now I can get jiggy with it.

[6502Dude]

... Merlin 128 ...but does anyone know where I can find this?

I have Merlin 128, but no documentation

Let me know if you want D64 image.

Cheers,

[Stephane Richard]

Most definitally :-)...please :-).

[Style_CHM]

If you're looking for a cross-assembler, Kick Assembler (kickass) is definitely the way to go. ca65 is cool, but kickass is better.

Extremely powerful scripting language to generate unrolled assembly etc.

[Stephane Richard]

Hi Style_CHM,

I've looked at kick assembler, I do like the syntax it has, I won't hide that. However, it doesn't seem to allow 128 specific programming. atleast there's no mention of of it in the documentation.  Seems to be made for a 64.

I've looked here: http://www.theweb.dk/KickAssembler.htm  (showing you in case this isn't the right website).

And there, in the PDF, there's no mention of the 128, but they do talk about the 64.

[Style_CHM]

Hi mystikshadows

What would you be expecting in particular? Ive never used a c128 specific assembler, so Im wondering what features would be made available over and above a typical c64 assembler.

Thanks

[Stephane Richard]

the 128 native mode is a 8502 cpu.  some addresses are different, and I believe there's a few extra instructions the rest, is about the same as a c 64.   I don't know the specifics, but from memory, a c64 assembler would only work in the 129's c64 mode.  Maybe some basic things might be ported as is.  

I'm learning assembler really, I should leave someone that knows it say so, I just remember a friend of mine couldn't create a 128 program from his c64 assembler at the time.  Maybe he just didn't know how, or maybe there's some real differences that makes it impossible.

One thing that comes to mind is BANK switching. I don't know if the 6502 accomodates that.

[Guest]

Macros for memory management, macros for VDC managment, named locations for other 128 Specific hardware and memory locations for common hardware that are located differently than in 64 mode.  Also, debugging in 128 mode, too.  It's gotta be next to impossible to try to write assembly for the 128 inside 64 mode without going insane.

[Style_CHM]

Well, the way I see it - 6502 = 6510 = 8502. All devices are memory mapped, so its up to you to write the macros/labels. Kickass (or any other assembler for that matter AFAIK) isnt 64 specific - its a 6502 assembler.

I debug in vice for the c64. Does x128 have a monitor too?

[Stephane Richard]

yes it does, though I forget how to call it...it's a vice specific monitor...and well the 128 has a built in monitor if you do a SYS XXXX it would bring you to the built in monitor..