Apple ][ Programming

Re-learning 6502 assembler using FREE modern tools on Windows.

Installation

• NodeJS (for the build task)
• Visual Studio Code (VSCode)
• Merlin 32 (cross compiler)
• AppleWin (Apple ][ emulator for Windows)
• Create and manage disk images using AppleCommander (requires Java)

VSCode Setup

• Install the "Beeb VSC" extension for syntax highlighting
• See the README file in the "VSCode Extensions" folder for futher instructions
• Use .vscode/tasks.json to setup your VSCode tasks to build and deploy using NodeJS
  • add your own source files to the "pickString" options
  • make one of them the "default"
• Ctrl+Shift+P to open Command Palette
• Select Tasks: Configure Default Build Task and choose "Merlin32 compile"

Development

• Make sure that disk-images/MYDISK.do has write permissions.
• Ctrl+Shift+B to invoke the Default Build Task (above) and select "hello" from the list to:
  • Compile, create a "hello" BIN file and a "hello_Output.txt file with compilation details.
  • Delete existing BIN file from the "MYDISK" disk image.
  • Copy compiled BIN file to the "MYDISK" disk image.
  • Delete the compiled BIN file from your source folder.
  • Run the AppleWin emulator with the "MYDISK" disk image in Drive 1.
• IMPORTANT: Disk image must be ejected from AppleWin first or you will get a file access error.

Testing

In AppleWin:

• Type CATALOG to see your files on the "MYDISK" disk.
• Type "BRUN HELLO" to run.

Create an autorun disk

1. Run AppleWin and load the "MYDISK" disk image into Drive 1
2. Reboot
3. Type the following (without the comments) which will create an AppleSoft Basic program that runs when the disk is booted:

NEW
10 HOME
20 PRINT CHR$(4)"BRUN HELLO" (the BIN file)
30 END
INIT HELLO (to create an autorun BAS file)

4. Eject the disk image from Drive 1.
5. Build and deploy using the steps in the Development section.

To make changes to the "MYDISK" disk boot script:

LOAD HELLO
LIST
20 PRINT "HI DAVE"
SAVE

References

• https://nodejs.org
• https://code.visualstudio.com
• https://github.com/AppleWin/AppleWin
• http://web.mit.edu/nelhage/Public/otrail/applewin/Intro_To_New_Debugger.htm
• https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/1200285/Cross-Assembly-for-the-Apple-II-using-MacOS
• http://applecommander.sourceforge.net/
• https://www.brutaldeluxe.fr/products/crossdevtools/merlin
• Syntax Highlighting: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=simondotm.beeb-vsc
• https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/editor/variables-reference#_input-variables

Books and Docs

• https://archive.org/details/Hi-ResGraphicsAndAnimationUsingAssemblyLanguage/mode/2up
• https://www.apple.asimov.net/documentation/programming/6502assembly

Apple ][ Disk Images

• https://www.apple.asimov.net/images/programming/assembler/merlin/MerlinPro%202.43.zip

Apple ][ Software Manuals

• https://archive.org/details/MerlinProFullScreenEditor/mode/2up