Z80 Examples
This repository contains example code for the Z80 processor, written in assembly language. This is where I'll post things as I experiment.
The code should be standalone, but I assume that there is the ability to output a single byte to the serial-console, or STDOUT via:
ld a, '3'
out (1), a
Similarly I assume reading a single character from a serial-console, or STDIN, is possible via:
in a, (1)
This is true of the Z80 emulator I'm using, as well as the physical machine I intend to build.
00. See Also
If you'd rather see something complete then you should check out this repository:
That contains a complete (simple!) text-based adventure-game written in Z80 assembly, which will work on any ZX Spectrum emulator, and can also run on CP/M systems (again under emulation if you don't have any retro-hardware).
01. RAM Increment
The simplest example is the first, which increments a single byte of RAM endlessly. If you have an emulator that lets you dump RAM after every instruction, or physical hardware upon which you can do the same this should prove your code is working:
02. String Output
Outputing a string, held inline. Simple test of loops:
03. Number Output
This example is similar to the previous one, but instead outputs the contents of the HL register-pair, as a four-digit hexadecimal number.
i.e. If you assume this ld hl, 0x123F, then you should see the output "0x123F" generated, which proves a number a has been converted to an ASCII-string, and output correctly.
04. Simple Monitor
This is the most complex/complete program in the repository, and it is a "monitor program" which allows you to interactively use your Z80 processor. There are a couple of builtin commands for dumping ram, inputing data, and calling functions.
Each command is invoked via a letter. For example to (D)ump the 16 bytes of RAM at 0x1000 run:
> D1000
0x1000 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
> D
0x1010 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
To (I)nput a simple routine:
> I1000 3E 68 D3 01 3E 65 D3 01 3E 6C D3 01 3E 6C D3 01
> I 3E 6F D3 01 3E 21 D3 01 3E 0A D3 01 C9
(Here you see that the input-address is optional in the second line, bytes are just appended to the value previously set.)
Finally you may (c)all the routine you've just loaded:
> C1000
hello!