Today we will set up our Altair simulator with CP/M 2.2 and begin learning how to use it.

Download the gzipped tar file CPM_Altair8800_WinMacLin.tgz and extract it.

I'll show you how to use the version for your operating system.

Note: On your school Macbooks, you won't be able to run this until you run this:

% xattr -d com.apple.quarantine altair8800mac

Then we will discuss the assigned homework readings from what will be our textbook for awhile, CP/M Assembly Language Programming.

Follow the instructions in the Introduction to CP/M Assembly Language Programming, making sure it works.

After observing the progress made with the last programming assignment, both the apparent gains and the holes I think still need filling, I've decided to do one more go-round before we move on to CP/M.

Work in the pairs listed below to write a machine language program for the Altair 8800 simulator that:

1. uses an instruction that sets one of the register flags, and then branches according to the status of the flag.
2. is clearly documented with a description in a comment following each instruction explaining what it does, and lists the authors and date at the top of the file.
3. has both a program section and a data section.
4. is in .spc format that will successfully generate a .bin using altair_sim_prog_converter that runs on the simulator.

One of the two of you should email me a link to your completed program when you have it ready to submit.

If it fails to run in the simulator, you will receive a D grade. Grades of A, B and C will be earned by programs in relation to how fully they meet the above requirements.

Period 1A

Gabriel will pair with Rockwell.
Abi will pair with Sean.
Eleanor will pair with Alex.
Brendon will pair with Nikita.

Period 3B

Anupama will pair with Donovan.
Blu will pair with Gabriel.
Noah will pair with Toby.
Conrad will pair with Jake.
Alessandra will pair with Dylan.

We want to share out pair programs as assigned last week, but before we do, I want to make an adjustment.

After our experience sharing pair programs yesterday (Monday), I'm think we need one more day on this activity. I'll start class Tuesday by better specifiying what I am expecting from your programs, and then give you time to meet those new requirements.

We will then look at a the multiplication program that Brendan, Gabe, Toby and Condrad worked on. Once all submissions are in this format, I'll prepare them to be distributed, and develop a quiz based on them.

Download CP/M Assembly Language Programming: A Guide to the Integrated Learning of the CP/M Operating System & Assembly Language Programming by Ken Barbier and read the Preface and Introduction, taking notes in your git repo. Your notes should be thorough enough to prepare you for a short keep us honest quiz on this reading should such a thing occur in the near future.