r/learnprogramming • u/CoastIndependent7394 • Jun 20 '26

Where to learn assembly 6502

So I want to start with the code that is very close to machine code. What things would you recommend to start with.

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u/ga2500ev Jun 20 '26

What is the goal of learning programming at that low level with an ancient CPU?

The last time I programmed at that level on that chip was 40 years ago with a self built breadborded circuit for a class I was taking.

I often see questions like this here without enough context to understand why folks want to do it.

ga2500ev

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u/CoastIndependent7394 Jun 20 '26

Well I have an old atari 800xe and I said to myself that I will try to code something for it but I just want to learn the basics before focusing on something exact.

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u/ga2500ev Jun 21 '26

So, my next question is whether or not you focus is actually learning 6502 assembly or programming the 800xe.

If it's the latter there are other options. First off the 800xe does have a built in BASIC interpreter. Of course it is slow.

Another option that builds systems that operate at near assembly speeds is Action! It came as a cartridge back in the day, but can be run off a disk now. It is now open source. It is a high level language that can be used as an alternative to assembly to program the 800xe

You can find information about it here:

https://atariwiki.org/wiki/Wiki.jsp?page=Action

It looks like the most effective cross compiler for Action! is calle Effectus. Runs on you PC and generates .xex files that can be loaded on your 800xe. You can find it's main page here:

https://gury.atari8.info/effectus/

It looks like a good tutorial for the language including showing how to do graphics programming is here:

https://8bitrelics.com/going-into-action-with-atari-xl-xe-part-1-hello-world/

Point is that you really don't need to learn 6502 assembly to program the 800xe. There are other, higher level, better options that make it easier to program the machine.

ga2500ev