Re: 65C802 in ][+

[Roger Johnstone <news2006@roger.geek.nz>]

On 2006-05-27 09:26:55 +1200, Alex Freed <alexf@mirrow.com> said:

> I have a ][ plus that I bought in 1990 or so. Obviously used :)
> Last night I have noticed that the CPU is not the regular 6502, not 
> even a 65C02 but a W65C802 - a 16 bit chip in 6502 pin compatible case.
>
> So the question I have is this: is there any software to take advantage 
> of it? I doubt it, 'cause I have never heared of such a mod before.
> And while we are at it what software benefits from the extra 
> instructions in the 65C02? Apart from the 2c firmware and such.
>
> -Alex.

As has been mentioned already there were machine language assemblers 
that used it to speed up assembly times. There were also some compilers 
that could produce code for the 65802. The tiny number of computers 
with 65802 CPUs didn't really matter much if you were using something 
like a Fortran compiler, since nobody else would be interested in your 
program anyway.

The only 'regular' application I know that used it was VIP 
Professional. It was a graphical spreadsheet for the 8-bit Apple II, 
but ran faster if you had a 65802 or 65816.

--
* Roger Johnstone, Invercargill, New Zealand -> http://roger.geek.nz
* PS/2 Mouse Adapter for vintage Apple II or Mac
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