aiiadict@gmail.com wrote:
On Nov 28, 1:09 pm, "Michael J. Mahon" <mjma...@aol.com> wrote:of those, only the Z-80 has any meaningful software base for the (8-bit) Apple II platform. All the others are just a basis for experiments--not that there's anything wrong with that. ;-)most C source codes require 32bits.. to get any meaningful software, you'd need a 32bit C compiler for the nonexistant 32bit 65816 successor...Of course, the 65816 (et al.) is a special case, since it has a compatibility mode (in which it is a 65C02).so put a compatibility mode in the chip.. like WDC was going to do.. I have a few projects I need to complete before I start looking at the 6502/65816 cores.. I think it would be a fun experiment..
If you want a C-capable 32-bit processor to have access to your Apple II's I/O, then I would suggest going with an ARM. It has very competent C compilers, broad tool support, and it architecture was "inspired by" the 6502 with numerous enhancements. (This was the source of my "spritually" remark earlier.) As an Apple II coprocessor (plus memory) it would not disturb the native 65(C)02 mode of the Apple II, with no need for a "compatibility mode". It has the added advantage of existing--and in many models, with many "evaluation boards" to make it easy. I wouldn't count on WDC for anything--their time has come and gone. -michael NadaPong: Network game demo for Apple II computers! Home page: http://members.aol.com/MJMahon/ "The wastebasket is our most important design tool--and it's seriously underused."