Re: ][, II and //

[Rubywand <rubywand@swbell.net>]

phil writes ...
> 
> What if any difference is there between ][, II and // notations? Or is
> it simply ascii aesthetics?
> 
> Sorry for the very basic (ha!) question, but I am trying to pick up an
> Apple for my borther to learn how to program on
> and would like to know what I am getting into... I have been told that I
> should look for Apple IIe's but keep seeing
> ][ and //... So I am trying to find out what if any difference there is
> between them all...
> 
 ....

     Normally, "][" relates to early Apple II's-- i.e. the original ][, and the
][+. "//" is used for the enhanced 128k //e and the //c. "II" is acceptable as
a general substitute for "][" and "//". "II" is, also, commonly used to
indicate a non-enhanced IIe and is the standard for IIc+ and IIgs. You can read
more about the different models and designations in the Apple II FAQs at
http://home.swbell.net/rubywand/A2FAQs5MAINHALL.html .

     The best pick for learning to program is a IIgs. It supports both 5.25"
and 3.5" drives, can use many IIgs programs without adding any memory, can run
at 2.8MHz with no accelerator card, and is highly compatible with old 8-bit
software. A very nice plus is the built-in modem serial port which makes it
easy to transfer Apple II software downloaded to a PC. Adding a 1MB Expansion
Memory Card (about $20) lets you run most IIgs commercial software.

     The next best choice is kind of a toss-up between the IIc+ and a later
model //e-- one with the 80-column card to get 128k. With the //e, you will be
able to run nearly all 8-bit software, including programming packages like
Merlin (assembly language) and Program Writer (very helpful for programming in
BASIC).  You can add a Super Serial Card to have a good way to transfer Apple
II software downloaded to a PC.

     A IIc+ can run a good deal faster than a standard //e (4MHz vs. 1MHz) and
it includes a built-in 800k 3.5" drive (like the IIgs 3.5" external drives).
With attached 5.25" drives and an external 3.5" drive it is a very nice machine
for learning to program. A built-in serial port lets you transfer downloaded
software. Weaknesses include the absence of expansion Slots and incompatibility
with a notable chunk of older 8-bit software.

     Of course, you can learn to program on a vintage ][, ][+, non-enhanced
IIe, or //c, too. (Actually, an early model ][ is close to being a museum
piece.)  Except for the //c, the big limitation is the 64k memory-- it rules
out using quite a bit of good software.



Rubywand