general A8 ML-file memory advices...

[+CharlieChaplin]

Well,

just some small advices / tips / suggestions for A8 programmers regarding ML-files and memory:

 

- DOS: If your ML-file should load under DOS it is best NOT to use memory below $2000.

There are some DOS versions which also work with $1Dxx, $1Exx or $1Fxx, but $2000 is generally a safe memory place for most DOS versions.

 

- Gamedos/Bootloader: If your ML-file should load under many/most Gamedos or Bootloader versions it is best NOT to use memory $0700-09FF.

There are some gamedos and bootloader versions that also work with $08xx or $09xx and some that even require memory up to $0Axx or $0Bxx, but $0700-09FF should be avoided for most gamedos and bootloader versions to work.

 

- Pages: ML-files can use page 1 or page 4 or page 5 or page 6, but it is best NOT to use all these pages at once (page 1+4+5+6 all at once).

There are packers, floppy speeders (Turbo, Hyper-XF, etc.) as well as gamedos and bootloader versions that make use of one or two of these pages, so better do not use them all at once, to leave at least some small space for other tools. One may even use some bits or bytes of page 2 or 3, but NOT the full page 2 or 3.

 

Other than that, refer to the extremely usefull tips by JAC:

https://www.wudsn.com/index.php/productions-atari800/tutorials/tips

 

Please correct me, if the above advices / tips / suggestions are plain stupid or otherwise incorrect, since I am not a programmer, just a user.

 

[Wrathchild]

4 minutes ago, CharlieChaplin said:

If your ML-file should load under DOS

To expand upon this, it makes sense to explain that if you intend to make use of DOS functions then do not utilise that memory area either along with ZP, page 3 locations used by the DOS/OS in relation to I/O.

 

It is OK to use DOS to load and run from $2000 (and above) but then discard and overwrite lower memory so long as you don't intend to return cleanly.