Mapping the Atari

The value of this book...lies...in the explanations....I expect to use this book often." Bill Wilkinson, an author of Atari BASIC and COMPUTE! columnist (from the Introduction).

This memory map and sourcebook was created to fill a need for a complete, comprehensive guide to the memory locations in the Atari 400/800, useful to both beginning and veteran programmers. Although parts of this information are available in other publications, no previous collection has provided complete cross references, detailed explanations, and a tutorial approach.

This book serves as a doorway to understanding the inner workings of the Atari for the beginning programmer, as a tutorial for the intermediate, and as a reference work for the advanced. One of the joys of computing is that the beginner can become an intermediate, and the intermediate can become an expert with remarkable rapidity. This book can be one of the most valuable tools to aid any Atari programmer in making the transition to a new level of competence.

The wealth of information available to Atari owners in technical manuals, recent books, and ongoing magazine coverage has two significant drawbacks: It is not collected in one handy reference and it is often difficult for the beginner to understand. Many times you're expected to be familiar with what's been printed elsewhere.

Mapping The Atari, Revised Edition provides the most detailed discussion yet offered on almost every known memory location. For the first time, you can find explanations — in a clear, understandable style — telling you how to use all these memory locations.

Mastering some of Atari's powerful, built-in capabilities such as player/missile graphics and display lists requires an understanding of how to manipulate specific memory locations. This book shows you how.

While advanced programmers will find this book an indispensable resource manual, other, less experienced programmers will turn to it again and again for clarification, instruction, advice, and as the definitive reference.