Spectrum Machine Language for the Absolute Beginner

by William Tang (Editor)

First published in 1982, William Tang's Spectrum Machine Language for the Absolute Beginner is generally considered to be the best introduction to 8-bit machine code programming ever written. With many great game writers crediting this as the book that got them started, there still is no better way to learn the language at the heart of the ZX Spectrum. * * * As the original publisher Melbourne House If you are frustrated by the limitations of BASIC and want to write faster, more powerful, space-saving programs or subroutines, Spectrum Machine Language for the Absolute Beginner is the book for you. Even with no previous experience of computer languages, you will be able to discover the ease and power of the Spectrum's own language. Each chapter includes specific examples of machine language applications which can be demonstrated and used on your Spectrum as well as a self-test questionnaire. At the end of the book, all this is brought together in an entire machine language program - from design right through to the complete listing of an exciting, original arcade game. * * * Acorn Books is proud to present its Retro Reproduction Series, a collection of classic computing works from the 1980s and 90s, lovingly reproduced in the 21st century. From standards of programming reference no self-respecting microcomputer programmer would be without, to obscure works not found in print anywhere else, these modern reprints are perfect for any connoisseur of retro computing.

248 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1982

Reviews

[Dave Snowdon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book really doesn't make many assumptions about previous programming experience apart from a bit of (ZX Spectrum) BASIC. Some of the analogies, such as "hands" for registers are useful at the beginning but could probably be dropped later once the reader had more familiarity - I may not be the best judge of that since I have a computing background (and probably read the original version of this book from the library back in the '80s).

It covers the essentials of Z80 assembly and then presents a complete game (frogger) in assembly at the end.

[Simon Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impact of this book heavily reduced by not using the hardware to explore the coding set out in its pages. That said, an excellent introduction to the fundamental essentials of machine coding for the novice (i.e. me). I’d imagine this would be a bit of a bible if I ever dust down the old 48k machine lying dormant in the attic.