The following books are recommended for
all Atari owners but beginners should refer to the note at the end of
this section.
ADVANCED PROGRAMMING TECHNIQUES FOR YOUR ATARI
Tab Books
This is not a newly published book but is
amongst the best of the books for the programmer who wants to learn the
finer aspects of Atari programming. It covers Display Lists, Animation,
Display List Interrupts, Scrolling, Page Flipping and much more. Several
example programs are included including many with machine language
subroutines. Also included are sections on sound, using the keyboard,
disk use and even a section on cassette use which shows how boot
cassettes are made. Unlike many American books this is full of serious
straightforward information with over 200 packed pages and no wasted
space. If you know hoe to write Basic this book will help you progress
in leaps and bounds.
ASSEMBLY LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING FOR THE ATARI COMPUTERS
Byte/McGraw-Hill
The only book we know of about assembly
language written specifically for the Atari. Everything you need to know
about assembly language programming and its specific application to the
Atari hardware. Several useful subroutines are included and explained
with details of how to include USR calls in your programs as well as
write full programs in machine language. Written by one of the senior
partners of MMG Software who produce one of the finest compilers for the
Atari and several other well known Atari programs. Even if you have
already begun to dabble in machine language you will find this useful as
it is Atari specific.
ATARI 600XL AND BEYOND
Sigma Technical Press
I bet they regret the title! Forget it, this book is relevant to all
Atari 8-bit machines and is an excellent introduction to those advanced
features specific to the Atari. Once you have learned the rudiments of
Basic, this book will introduce you to String Handling, Screen Output,
Graphics, Advanced Graphics, Player Missile Graphics and Sound. The
sound section in particular is excellent with details of 16-bit sound
and other aspects seldom covered elsewhere. 45 program listings
including a full synthesiser. A book written by somebody who knows his
Atari inside out.
ATARI BASIC - A SE
LF
TEACHING GUIDE
(XL EDITION)
John Wiley
Several new owners have asked for a good book to teach them BASIC
from scratch. What better than an updated version of the book that used
to come with the 400 and 800 computers and is an excellent introduction
to ATARI BASIC for those who have not programmed before. Many other
books will skip through the fundamentals to try and tempt you with some
more advanced techniques but without the groundwork you may flounder.
This is a good solid textbook that any beginner will be able to work all
the way through and come out with a good working understanding of ATARI
BASIC. Who knows, without the original version of this book
PAGE
6 might never have been
born! It started the editor off with all the basics
and
is highly recommended for
any new users with little previous computing experience.
COMPUTER ANIMATION PRIMER
Osborne/McGraw-Hill
Probably the finest book to have been
written about the more advanced aspects of the Atari. If you want to
know how to redefine and animate characters, handle fine scrolling and
use Player Missile Graphics, this book will give you all the details
with many ready-to-use machine code routines to incorporate in your own
programs. The first part of the book is an overview of computer
animation in general and the remainder (the vast majority) is concerned
with using the advanced graphics capabilities found only on the Atari.
An very expensive book but no more than many pieces of software and
incredible value at almost any price. Probably one of the classiest
computer books around.
COMPUTE'S ATARI COLLECTION VOL.1
Compute! Books
Another fine book from COMPUTE! which
continues on from their Third Book of Atari. None of the programs have
been published before and they range from games to business and
educational and lots more. Includes a quite original game 'Nessie' where
you have to photograph the Loch Ness monster, applications such as
Investment Tracker, and a Disk Catalog Utility together with tutorials.
30 original programs with something for everyone. This is mainly a
collection of type-in programs but many have supporting articles
explaining how they work.
COMPUTE!'S ATARI COLLECTION VOL.2
Compute! Books
This collection has been eagerly awaited
by many readers and it certainly won't disappoint. Although there are
games included the emphasis seems to be on more 'serious' uses of the
Atari with several applications including an indexing & cataloguing
program and even a database. Programming aids include utilities for
changing and listing variables and a nice routine to give you a split
Graphics 0 text routine. Graphics are well covered with four excellent
graphics utilities including one that will allow you to design
playfields and which will automatically write a Basic program. Rounding
off the book there is a whole section of strategy games. If you wondered
whether Compute! could keep up their standards this book proves they
can.
COMPUTE'S FIRST BOOK OF ATARI
Compute! Books
Although published some years ago this
remains a good introductory book for new owners with a range of articles
and type in programs to introduce the new owner to the world of Atari.
Useful articles and programs include 'Inside Atari Basic', 'Adding a
voice track to Atari Programs', 'Designing Your Own Graphics Modes' and
more. As well as tutorials there a a number of programs to type in for
all machines. Recommended for beginning to intermediate Atari users.
COMPUTE!'S
FIRST BOOK OF ATARI GAMES
Compute! Books
Here are fifteen commercial quality game
programs ready to type into your Atari. The book contains fast machine
language games that require quick reflexes as well as brain teasers that
feature strategy and logic. As a bonus, many programming techniques are
explained in depth so Atari owners can adapt them to their own games.
COMPUTE!'S FIRST BOOK OF ATARI GRAPHICS
Compute! Books
Programmers interested in graphics and
colour will find this book indispensable. Includes sections on using
Atari graphics, "painting" the screen in 256 colours, mixing graphics
modes, making high-resolution graphs and charts, redefining characters
shapes, player/missile graphics and much more.
COMPUTE'S SECOND BOOK OF ATARI
Compute! Books
The next book in Compute!'s series
contains more type-in programs than the first book and is slightly more
advanced. These programs have been selected by the Editors of Compute!
magazine, one of the first magazines to provide regular support for the
8-bit Atari. All these articles and programs are new for this book and comprise
many different types of articles and programs. Contains chapters about
utilities, programming techniques, graphics and games, applications and
machine language and much more.
COMPUTE!'S SECOND BOOK OF ATARI GRAPHICS
Compute! Books
One of the strengths of the Atari is its
graphics, but how do you program them, This book gives easy to
understand explanations of the versatile graphics capabilities of Atari
computers. There are articles and several programs including artists'
utilities, rainbow graphics, page flipping, artifacting and more. Most
of the programs are extensively documented so you know just what is
going on in the programs. A tool kit for the advanced programmer and
useful material for the novice, this will be of interest to anyone
wishing tom explore Atari graphics.
COMPUTE!'S THIRD BOOK OF ATARI
Compute! Books
Continues in the COMPUTE! tradition of
useful information written in a clear understandable style. Programmers
of all levels, beginning to advanced will find a wealth of informative
and interesting programming tips, tutorials and programs. Contains
games, a word processor, the Wedge (which adds new commands to Atari
BASIC), a line renumbering utility, a machine language sort program, a
complete character set reference, an XL memory guide and lots more. This
is certainly the best of the early books with a lot of reference
material that will be used for many years, even by more advanced
programmers.
DE RE ATARI
Atari Inc.
Subtitled 'A Guide to Effective
Programming' this book was written by some of the most famous
programmers that were around at the time the Atari was created and gives
probably the best all round guide to the advanced aspects of machine.
Some programming knowledge of Basic or Assembler required and the book
covers player missile graphics, interrupts, sound, scrolling graphics
and the disk operating and cassette systems. Lots of 'secrets' here in
what was originally a comprehensive notebook in which the most talented
programmers recorded their discoveries. A book that will advance your
programming knowledge no end.
EASY PROGRAMMING FOR THE
ATARI MICROS
Shiva Publishing
We have been searching for a while for a good low priced book to give
newcomers an introduction to writing programs on the Atari. This one was
highly recommended by one of our readers and we have to agree. Written
in a light hearted manner yet still portraying the essential facts
clearly, it will guide you through all the basics of BASIC as well as
give you many hints and insights into getting the most from your system.
Several example programs are included together with appendices to give
the book a useful reference life once you have worked through it. A
bargain for every new owner.
ELECTRONIC COMPUTER PROJECTS
Compute! Books
Almost every one of us has a little bit
of the hacker inside us if only we knew where to begin! At last here is
a book that will guide anyone, whether a beginner or already experienced
with electronics, along the path to building their own add-ons for the
Atari. Step by step instructions are given to build a joystick, paddles
(play Breakout properly!), a light sensor, an electronic switch, a
burglar alarm and more, all of which enhance or can be controlled by
your Atari. Programs are included where necessary and each project has a
complete list of parts and part numbers which can be obtained from any
Tandy shop. Most of the projects use a solderless breadboard and only a
very little soldering will be required. Fear not because the book guides
you through anyway. Most of the projects will cost only a few pounds or
less to build.
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR EPSON PRINTER
Byte Books
If you have an Epson dot-matrix printer,
this fine book will give you all the information you need to get the
best from it, including examples of how to use Basic to control the
printer's special features. Every aspect is covered in over 230 pages.
The book will also be of interest to anyone who owns an Epson compatible
printer and, whilst expensive, is ideal if you are considering buying a
dot-matrix printer as it will tell you exactly what features are
available and what to look out for. It could save you wasting hundreds
of pounds in choosing the wrong printer. An expensive book but one which
will enhance your understanding and use of your Epson printer.
MACHINE LANGUAGE FOR BEGINNERS
Compute! Books
Much commercial software is written in
machine language because it's faster and more versatile than BASIC. This
book is a step-by-step introduction to the subtleties of machine code.
Includes an assembler, a disassembler and utilities to help programmers
write programs more quickly and easily. Excellent for users who are
confident with BASIC as it is the only book that gives direct
equivalents in assembly language of normal BASIC statements. All the
other books on machine language for the 8-bit Atari are now out of print
so this is the only book on machine language directly relating to the
Atari. Get it before it goes out of print!
REVISED MAPPING THE ATARI
Compute! Books
This is the book that XL owners and XE
owners have been waiting for and the one book that every owners should
have beside his computer. Based on the renowned original, this new
version contains all the extra memory locations in the XL and XE series
together with many appendices giving extra information about the
machines, DOS, memory management and more. Included are programs for a
RAM resident OS which you can tailor to your needs and a Revision C
BASIC converter. The book is a complete compendium of all the locations
you can PEEK and POKE and it gives many examples of just how you would
use each location. If you are just starting out this one book will
increase your programming ability tenfold and if you are already
proficient it will be the reference book that you come back to time and
time again. If you have the old Mapping, this one will give you a few
corrections and information on additional locations not covered in the
first book. A must for anyone who wants to write programs. Of all the
books that have been published and been through the Editors hands this
is the one that has been consulted more than any other, in fact almost
every time that a program has been written, this book has had a hand!
SPEEDSCRIPT
Compute! Books
Here is a cheap word processor that is
quite unique in that you have to type it in! Don't be put off by the
fact that this program comes as a type in listing, it is a superb
program of top commercial quality and it surpasses many commercial word
processors that cost three times the price of the book. If you have not
yet used a word processor, this is the one to get you started. For
advanced programmers, a full source code listing will let you into the
secrets of writing a high quality professional program. The program
contains specially written error checking routines so that typing it in
will not be fraught with difficulties.
TECHNICAL REFERENCE NOTES
All the technical data on the 8-bit
machines, including schematics and a complete source listing of the
Operating System. The Technical Reference Notes comprise three separate
Reference manuals - The Operating System User's Manual, Operating System
Source List and the Hardware Manual. There is an enormous amount of
information here, all you could possibly want, but the book is a
reference manual rather than a tutorial so some programming knowledge is
required. If you are prepared to delve into and discover the secrets in
this book you should be able to solve any technical programming
problems, There is no doubt that without this book many of today's top
Atari programs would not have been written. The definitive programmer's
reference.
THE ATARI BASIC SOURCE BOOK
Compute! Books
From the computer's point of view, each BASIC command is actually a
machine language miniprogram. Authors Bill Wilkinson, Kathleen O'Brien
and Paul Laughton, the people who actually wrote Atari Basic, have
compiled a complete annotated source code listing and a wealth
elk
information on the internal workings of BASIC.
THE SECOND BOOK OF MACHINE LANGUAGE
Compute! Books
The follow up to Machine Language for
Beginners, this book leads the programmer deeper into the most powerful
and efficient programming techniques available for personal computers.
Fully tutorial, with easy step-by-step explanations, this book shows how
to construct significant, effective machine language programs. Included
is a high speed professional quality, label-based assembler. Everything
that's needed for that next step in machine language. The book is
essentially an Assembler program that you type in and, in doing so you
learn how to construct a complex program in machine language. At the end
you are left with a useful program to enable you to write more programs
with your new found knowledge.
YOUR ATARI COMPUTER
Osborne/McGraw-Hill
Over the past four years the one
reference book that I have referred to more than any other (apart from
Mapping The Atari) is Your Atari Computer, a book that many 'old hands'
consider to be the finest reference book published for the Atari system.
In over 450 pages this book gives a complete guide to every aspect of
Atari computing including the computer, cassette, disk drive, printers,
accessories, programming for beginners and advanced users, graphics,
sound and more. It contains a complete guide to BASIC and has 9
appendices full of useful reference information that you will look up
time and time again. This is like the manual for your car, an
indispensable comprehensive guide. Whenever somebody has asked me to
recommend just one book, this is it. Most people call it 'the Atari
bible' and that is not far wrong!
____________________
BOOKS FOR BEGINNERS
We
are constantly asked to recommend a book for new owners who wish
to program their Atari computers but, unfortunately all of the
best books for beginners are now out of print. The best book
still available is YOUR ATARI COMPUTER which is very expensive
but worthwhile as a long term investment. It provides a good all
round reference but does not teach BASIC programming. If you are
able to find second hand books, or track down retailers with old
stock we can recommend EASY PROGRAMMING FOR THE ATARI MICROS
published by Shiva Publishing and ATARI BASIC - XL EDITION
published by Tab Books. If you can get hold of them, buy them!
.top
