Re: Apple 2 Dev Newbie Wannabe!

[Harry Potter <rose.joseph12@yahoo.com>]

On Sunday, June 17, 2012 2:07:37 AM UTC-4, Michael J. Mahon wrote:
> First, it's unlikely that you will achieve anything worthwhile using a tool
> that you consider "atrocious", so I'd recommend more study of Apple
> graphics and what has already been accomplished. If this does not improve
> your opinion of its capabilities, then any effort you make will surely be
> uninspired. 
> 

About the graphics: right now, I don't have a real use for the graphics, but I want to be prepared for future ventures.

I only know a little about Apple 2 graphics--not quite to actually program them but enough to draw them in Applesoft and drawing software.  

> Good luck with your efforts to simplify the use of bank-switched memory. It
> is tricky to find the right compromise between efficient but explicit
> management and inefficient but transparent management. 
> 

cc65 has an IMO inefficient management of a system's extra memory.  I have created systems for the C64 and 128 to handle extra memory.  They use special functions to handle strings and memory buffers in this extra memory as if they were regular memory.  Also, the programmer can access any byte or word from anywhere in this memory with one function call.  This is not totally transparent but is pretty efficient.

> As always, I recommend reading great code as a preparation for writing your
> own code. There is much to be learned and appreciated in seeing how a
> clever, experienced designer tackles a coding problem. 
> 

You're right about that.  Right now, I'm creating a text adventure for the C64 and maywant to port it to the 128, Plus4 and, of course, the Apple.  As of now, it is enough to write using C, but my next step is to use the OS and the 65C02.  Anywhere I can find this on the internet?  Thank you for listening.