Download Ipso Facto Issue 5

r-IACHIN~
OR ASSEIilBLY LANGUAGE CONT'D
machine code, especially as your programs exceed the 10-20 byte
size. Anyt'lay, how many of you can really think in machine code
when reading, say, a 256 byte program written by someone else?
Think about it.
I think the best way to illustrate my point is with an example,
and 2n excellent one has coce to hand. Recently, two large circulation magazines, POPULAR ~L~CTRONICS and DR. DOBB'S JOURNAL,
published an interestin.e; monitor program ~or the 1802 (Ed, you
wer-e going to tell me why they both printed it?). Unfortunately
(in my opinion), both of these magazines published only an uncommented hex dumPTIsting of this program. How many of you, when
faced with this type of program docurnentation, decided that it
woul.dn t t be wor t.h the effort? HO\'I many others tri ed it, but
couldn't get it to work right? And finally, how many of you began
to dis-assemble, and comment the program, in order to figure out
how to get it working on your particular 1802? \'louldn' t i t have
been nice to have all that information in the original listing?
In this issue of IPSO FACTO, you will find a dis-assembly of Ed
McCormicl:'smonitor program. I want you to compare this form of
documentation with the hex dump published by PE and DDJ. I hope
this example makes my point.
SI~P1Z
APPLIC1TIONS
In order to maintain the involvement of those not (yet) interested in a general purpose computer system, we intend to put more
emphasis on simple, fun-type applications, requiring only an 1802,
256 bytes of memory maximum, and perhaps a few bits and pieces of
Lnt er-f'ac e har-dwaz-e , The first one is in this Issue: The 8 digit
hex display for under ~10. This simple application \'l/ill be extended in the next issue, to become the display for a Raal Time
. Clock. You will also find a speed control for those cheap 6 Volt
DC motors, which requires only a power transistor, a door bell
control based on your 1802, and a sump pump t i ner-, How about you?
Let's hear about your application: the simpler the better.
Remember: the best way to learn is by doing.
I will apologize at this point for the delay in getting out
Issue J4; we had a few printing problems. I expect we will soon
be back on schedule.
NETRONICS, ANYONE?
Speaking of schedules, has anyone received a news bulletin
from Netronic's Elf User's Club? I have had several people ask
me this question. Their memberships, at 83 eaCh, po back about
8 months. Perhaps someone from Netroni cs R&D, Ltd. wouLd care to
reply c/o this Editor?
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