I would like to know more about asm programming on the MSX.
That is why I am looking for this book (Dutch!):

MSX Machinetaalboek
Dullin, Strassenburg
Published in 1985 (1987?)
ISBN 90-229-3360-1

Published by Data Becker Nederlands

Could you please help me?

I heard people recommend "Machinetaal voor MSX computers" over this one.

Hi Manuel,

You probably mean this book:

Machinetaal voor MSX-computers
John Vanderaart
Published in 1987
Kluwer Technische Boeken
ISBN 90-201-1999-0

I will look for this one as well. Thanks!

Hm, I had this data becker book once (I think it was my first machinecode book). But especially compared to the one Manuel mentions, it sucked. The book Manuel mentions is very good and I occasionally browse through it as a reference. The databecker book is long gone, didn't feel the urge to keep that one.

Have to browse my collection.
If my memory is correct I should have a double somewhere.

Hi,

I learned MSX assembly using the book from data becker combined with the "MSX ROM-BIOS handboek". I have a spare copy of the latter one. It is considered the bible for MSX1 assembly development. I'm willing to sell the spare copy of the "MSX ROM-BIOS handboek" if anybody is interested. It is still in a good shape.

If you also want to do MSX2 assembly development, then you need complementary information, like the V9938 technical databook and "Het MSX2 zakboekje" by Wessel Ackermans.

Kind regards,
Alex

mmm, the "Het MSX2 zakboekje" is nice to read once, but I remember that it had a host of incomplete or (even worse) incorrect data in it. My copy was filled with pencil notes from my own completing the damned thing. Also it structure made it more of a quick reference book, and not something one would use to actually learn...

The MSX2 zakboekje mostly contains ASCII tables, HEX/BIN tables, explanations of BASIC functions and statements, etc. Not particularly interesting for ASM programmers, although if memory serves me well, it's got an overview of BIOS calls. turbor mentions that this book is kind of incomplete - which doesn't surprise me, as just about the whole Stark-Texel book range has oddness to it. It's like they didn't know 100% of what they wrote.
I have a recommendation as well, it's A. Rensink: "MSX-HANDBOEK voor gevorderden", Kluwer Technische Boeken B.V., Deventer-Antwerpen. Too bad it's just focused on MSX1.

My first real book was a pink one "MSX machinetaal" or something, dunno exactly. It wasn't that Becker book for sure. It helped me all the way through. Tho I lost it somehow... oh well, I really don't need it nomo.

edit: This is the one I'm talking about: http://www.clive.nl/detail/23999/

Quote:

I would like to know more about asm programming on the MSX. That is why I am looking for this book (Dutch!): MSX Machinetaalboek Dullin, Strassenburg Published in 1985 (1987?) ISBN 90-229-3360-1 Published by Data Becker Nederlands Could you please help me?

Hi,
I live in amsterdam,
You can pick up that book (and I have some more), whenever you are around.

Quote:

The MSX2 zakboekje mostly contains ASCII tables, HEX/BIN tables, explanations of BASIC functions and statements, etc. Not particularly interesting for ASM programmers, although if memory serves me well, it's got an overview of BIOS calls. turbor mentions that this book is kind of incomplete - which doesn't surprise me, as just about the whole Stark-Texel book range has oddness to it. It's like they didn't know 100% of what they wrote. I have a recommendation as well, it's A. Rensink: "MSX-HANDBOEK voor gevorderden", Kluwer Technische Boeken B.V., Deventer-Antwerpen. Too bad it's just focused on MSX1.

The MSX2 zakboekje is indeed not a tutorial on how to program or something like that. It is purely a reference book. Nevertheless, I have used it a lot while doing assembly development. Mainly because it contains a condense overview of the V9938 registers and commands and because it contains an overview of all the DOS1/disk-basic-1 BDOS calls. I still find it very usefull if I want to quickly look something up, without having to dig through all kind of big technical documents. It is indeed correct that there are some ommissions and minor mistakes in it :-(. I have made several notes in my copy, based on info extracted from the V9938 technical databook (which I have also corrected here and there) and from things I learned by trial and error.

I believe that this is anyway the biggest challenge with assembly development. You must not only know the Z80 but also all the other chips and the BIOS and BDOS calls. You need to digest a lot of info and documentation from various sources once you want to get everything out of the machine. And sometimes the info is indeed inaccurate and you will have to experiment to figure out how it really works. But it is fun to learn and discover all the intricacies of the MSX machine and sometimes be surprised that something that seemed to be impossible can be done after all with some nice self-discovered trick.

I am sorry for my late response. It took me a while to read all your messages. I did not expect that many reactions so soon. Thanks!

Alex: I am very interested in your spare copy of the "MSX ROM-BIOS handboek". Is it possible for you to send it by post (I live in Holland)? You can send the details (selling price!) to pdvisser58@hotmail.com. Btw, I do not know how to send private messages on this forum. Finally: The last sentence in your previous message perfectly explains
why I would like to know more about asm programming on the MSX!

D-Tail: Thanks for the hint! I will look for "MSX-HANDBOEK voor gevorderden" (A. Rensink) as well.

ro: Too bad the "MSX2 Machinetaal handboek" is currently not in stock. I will monitor clive.nl regularly. I see "MSX2 Zakboekje" is mentioned on this website. I consider buying it (€ 9,95).

norakomi: Unfortunately I will not be around in Amsterdam in the near future (I live nearby Eindhoven). Is it also for you possible to send "MSX Machinetaalboek" by post? Please send the details to pdvisser58@hotmail.com.

Well, I hope I have covered everything now. From now on I will check my hotmail account daily. Again many thanks for all the info!

Oops, forgotten to mention I will look for the V9938 Technical Databook as well
Did not succeed in downloading a scanned version from e.g.
http://www.mail-archive.com/msx@stack.nl/msg15203.html

try the MSX Archive, formerly know as /pub/msx/ on Funet ;-) You'll find loads of info in there, including scanned manuals...

Quote:

Hi Manuel, You probably mean this book: Machinetaal voor MSX-computers John Vanderaart Published in 1987 Kluwer Technische Boeken ISBN 90-201-1999-0 I will look for this one as well. Thanks!

I have one of those around here somewhere. If you send me a pre-addressed envelope with sufficient postage on it I can drop it in a mailbox when I'm at the train station in the Netherlands. I'd send it to you straight away, but I really can't be arsed to go to a postkantoor since I'm never near one during office hours... Of course you could also visit an MSX fair where they tend to sell those books for like 2 euros per metric tonne...