In English

Publisher: Sigma Press, 1985

ISBN: 1-85058-015-4 (Wikipedia Book Sources) (Wikipedian kirjalähteet)

For MSX Programmers - your constant companion

This is not a book for the raw beginner - rather, it takes the MSX programmer "inside" the computer to see exatly how it works and how to get the most from it.

The first part covers system design, how the BASIC vocabulary relates to MSX machines, and an introduction to machine code. You will find detailed explanations of memory organization, display modes, and the VDP and sound chips.

The second part is concerned with the use of assembly language in the MSX environment. Major sections include:

- The Video Display Processor

- The AY-3-8910 Sound Chip

- Input/Output

Whether you need to write high-performance programs, or just want to know how your computer works, this book will be invaluable. We feel tahat it will rapidly become the standard text for MSX programmers who want to do more than just write BASIC programs.

Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION	1
Overview	1
Memory Organization	2
Input/Output Ports	4
Tape Interface	4
Display Modes	5
The VDP and Sound Chips	5
VDP Display Structure	7
High resolution graphics	10
Colour	10
Sprites	12
General Instruments AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator	14
2. MSX BASIC	15
Variables and Functions	16
Functions	17
Graphics Commands	18
General Purpose Commands	18
Text Modes	18
Video RAM Manipulation	21
Example Program - redesigning the character set	23
Sprites	26
Example Program - Sprite Designer	30
High Resolution Graphics	32
Example Program - Sketch-Pad	35
Sound	37
Program Storage	39
3. MSX BASIC VOCABULARY	42
4. Z-80 MACHINE LANGUAGE	70
Microprocessors	70
System Organization	71
Binary and Hexadecimal Representation	73
Logical Operations	76
5. THE MSX CONFIGURATION	95
MSX Memory Management	95
Accessing the Sound Chip, VDP and PPI	96
The VDP: a general introduction	96
The General Instruments AY-3-8910 Sound Chip	97
The Intel 8255 PPI	96
Interrupt Handling and "RAM Hooks"	97
Example Program - Real Time Clock	98
MSX System RAM Usage	101
Using Machine Code Subroutines from BASIC	103
6. THE VIDEO DISPLAY PROCESSOR	105
The Control Lines	105
The VDP Lines	107
Video Display Modes	110
Graphics Mode I	111
Graphics Mode II	111
Multicolour Mode	113
Text Mode	113
Sprites	114
The VDP in the MSX Environment	116
Programming the VDP: hints and tips	118
The Pattern Plane	119
Character and Sprite Definition Program	119
Using the definer	140
The definer in modes other than Graphics II	141
Dynamic Pattern Definition	142
Graphics II Mode as a Bit-Mapped Mode	143
More from Sprites: interrupt switching techniques	145
Two colour sprites	145
Quick VDP Access: avoiding time problems	148
7. THE PROGRAMMABLE SOUND GENERATOR	150
The Data Registers	150
The Tone Generators (register 0--5)	150
The Noise Generator (register 6)	150
The Enables Register (register 7)	150
Amplitude Control (registers 8--10)	151
Envelope Generator (registers 11--13)	152
The I/O Ports (registers 14--15)	152
Notes and Note Periods	152
Accessing the PSG in the MSX Environment	154
Programming the PSG	154
Three Channel Music: the computer as a performer	155
Sound Effects on the AY-3-8910	158
Sound Generation in Software: the one bit sound port	159
8. INPUT-OUTPUT: THE COMPUTER'S WINDOW ON THE WORLD	160
Game I/O: joysticks, paddles and touchpads	160
Console input/output	161
Slot Selection	162
Keyboard Scanning: checking individual keys	163
Appendix A: Character Codes	166
Appendix B: Color Assignments	167
Appendix C: Video RAM Table	168
Appendix D: Z-80 Instructions	169
Appendix E: Extract from the TMS 9118/9128/9129 Data Manual	172
Appendix F: Extract from the AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator	182