Setting up the Development Environment on a Windows PC

When I develop Machine Code games for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, I use the following Development Tools:

• ConText Text Editor (http://www.contexteditor.org/)
• Pasmo Assembler (Pasmo)
• Spectaculator Emulator (http://www.spectaculator.com/)

Installing “Spectaculator”

Download and Install “Spectaculator” 30 Day Trial. I cannot recommend this emulator more highly, it is awesome

Installing “Context” Editor

The Editor allows me to write the code with Syntax Highlighting, as well as define events for key presses that assist me in running and testing my programs.

Download the editor (1.6 MB) from http://www.contexteditor.org/ andfollow the installation instructions:

Step 1:

Step 2:

And follow the wizard until it has installed

Install “Pasmo” Assembler

Next, download the Assembler from http://www.arrakis.es/~ninsesabe/pasmo/

I use the 0.5.3 version, downloadable as a ZIP from pasmo-0.5.3.zip

Once downloaded, Unzip and extract.

Install in a directory of your choice

Configure Context

1. From the menu choose “Options -> Environment”. A dialog box will appear.
2. Click the “Execute Keys” tab.
3. Click the “Add” button, and add an entry for files with a “asm” extension.

Set up the “F9” Functionality.

This will allow the file to be compiled, and a “TAP” file which includes a BASIC loader will be created.

• Execute: Browse To and Select the Pasmo executable.
• Start in: %p (File path)
• Parameters: --tapbas %n %F.tap
  • This will create a ZX Spectrum TAP file with BASIC loader, output to same filename with “TAP” extension.
• Use short DOS names for Pasmo.
• Output to compiler window.
• Scroll to last line for verbose output.

Set up the “F10” functionality

This will execute “Spectaculator” and pass in the compiled filename.

• Execute: Points to the Spectaculator executable.
• Start in: %p (File path)
• Parameters: %p\%F.tap
  • This means Path, and Filename (tap)
• Use short DOS names for Emulator

Testing the Development Environment

Create the following test program in Context, and save to your project folder as “text.asm”.

org 08000h

ld hl,04000h

ld (hl),%10101010

ld de,04001h

ld bc,17FFh

ldir

ret

end 08000h

Press “F9” and the program should assemble.

Press “F10” to execute “Spectaculator” and you should get the following results:

Congratulations! You are now ready to develop Machine Code on your Windows PC!