Re: A86: A few questions...

To: assembly-86@lists.ticalc.org
Subject: Re: A86: A few questions...
From: TGaArdvark <TGaArdvark@aol.com>
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 14:02:23 EST
Delivered-To: assembly-86-outgoing@towerguard.unix.edu.sollentuna.se
Reply-To: assembly-86@lists.ticalc.org


> I am new to TI-86 assembly,

Check out http://HAL-8x.home.ml.org and find out about HAL and HAL-IC,
asm utils. (Ad plug.)

> and was wondering what exactly the Asm
> commands on the calc. are for.

:Asm(progname)
Executes the assembly program, progname. If the
program is hex codes in ASCII, it is compiled to binary. The
program is moved to asm_exec_ram and executed. If it is
not an assembly program (if it's basic or in bad syntax), it
returns an error.

:Asmprgm
Placed at the start of an ASCII assembly program to indicate
to the system that it is an assembly program. This becomes
a token when the program is changed to binary.

:Asmcomp(progname,prgname2)
Changes an ASCII assembly program to binary and saves
it as a new program. The new program takes half the storage
space (since two hex digits are stored in a byte instead of
one). The new program cannot be edited. If the program
is not an assembly program (if it's basic or in bad syntax),
it returns an error. If prgname2 already exists, it returns an
error.

> The manual isn't too clear.

At least it's in the manual (it's the first TI calculator to
mention asm in it's manual).

> Also, can I
> compile in DOS?

Yes.

> If so, where can I get the assemblers?

Ticalc.org and the address I mentioned above (look for Tasm).

> And what are the
> major differences between 86 and 85 assembly(I'm familiar with the
> latter). Thanx.

The only differences are in the include files and the ports and such.
The syntax and the main commands are all identical.