Getting Started with assembly and C programming with the Classic RC2014

[phillip.stevens]

I guess that there are many new users who've joined the RC2014 community after purchasing a Classic RC2014 recently,

and want to know where to begin.

When I first started with RC2014, mine looked a lot like this one below. Just 4 lo-rise cards (plus clock), making it a Classic machine.

In fact, mine actually still looks like this, because I took this picture just today.

So the question is what can you do with a new RC2014 Classic, after you've gotten bored of typing in BASIC programs, and playing a few games?

If your question is answered by wanting to learn and experiment with Z80 assembly language, or write some modern C language (although it is a stretch to call C "modern") programs, then the first part of the answer is the RC2014 hexload program.

Before you buy an EEPROM programmer and putting emulators aside for now, hexload is the easiest way to get your shiny new program onto the RC2014 if you have the original MS Basic ROM installed.

Hexload is a Basic program that was written by Filippo Bergamasco back in 2016. I've recently tarted it up a bit for use with the Z88DK, and written a bit of a how to on Github.

Jump in!

[David Brown]

I have been exploring BBC BASIC on the RC2014, mainly because BBC BASIC includes an assembler as part of the normal distribution.  You can interactively experiment with Z80 assembler just like you would with BASIC, except that since the Z80/RC2014 doesn't have memory protection you can cause all sorts of havoc if you aren't careful.

Honestly, the more I dig into BBC BASIC, the more amazed I am with it.  Those 80's UK coders had it better than us North American bozo's.

[Søren Amtorp]

A stretch! I find that amusing since C is at least 45 years old. Any way thinking about  when I assembled my first RC2104 a year ago+- the hexload program is exactly what you need.