This file contains an overview of the Atari 5200 runtime system as it comes with the cc65 C compiler. It describes the memory layout, Atari 5200 specific header files, available drivers, and any pitfalls specific to that platform.
Please note that Atari 5200 specific functions are just mentioned here, they are described in detail in the separate function reference. Even functions marked as "platform dependent" may be available on more than one platform. Please see the function reference for more information.
The standard binary output format generated by the linker for the Atari 5200 target is a cartridge image. It is of course possible to change this behaviour by using a modified startup file and linker config.
cc65 generated programs with the default setup use the RAM space from $021C to $3FFF. If you want to reserve memory for the display list and screen buffer you should define the __RESERVED_MEMORY__ linker variable. The number of bytes specified by __RESERVED_MEMORY__ are lowering the top of memory, therefore the available RAM memory for the program is $021C to $3FFF-__RESERVED_MEMORY__. The default linker config file sets __RESERVED_MEMORY__ to $1E0 to reserve space for an optional CONIO text screen.
Special locations:
The text screen is only enabled if any of the CONIO output functions is used in the program. Its size is 20x24 characters (Antic mode 6, BASIC mode 1). The text screen is located at $3E00. The address of the screen memory is available at runtime in the variable SAVMSC ($001B).
If the program doesn't use any CONIO output functions it needs to setup its own display list.
The C runtime stack is located at $3FFF-__RESERVED_MEMORY__ and growing downwards.
The C heap is located at the end of the program and grows towards the C runtime stack.
Programs containing Atari 5200 specific code may use the atari5200.h
header file.
The following pseudo variables declared in the atari5200.h
header
file do allow access to hardware located in the address space. Some
variables are structures, accessing the struct fields will access the
chip registers.
GTIA_READ
and GTIA_WRITE
The GTIA_READ
structure allows read access to the GTIA. The
GTIA_WRITE
structure allows write access to the GTIA.
See the _gtia.h
header file located in the include directory
for the declaration of the structure.
POKEY_READ
and POKEY_WRITE
The POKEY_READ
structure allows read access to the POKEY. The
POKEY_WRITE
structure allows write access to the POKEY.
See the _pokey.h
header file located in the include directory
for the declaration of the structure.
ANTIC
The ANTIC
structure allows read access to the ANTIC.
See the _antic.h
header file located in the include directory
for the declaration of the structure.
All drivers must be statically linked because no disk I/O is available. The names in the parentheses denote the symbols to be used for static linking of the drivers.
No graphics drivers are currently available for the Atari 5200.
No extended memory drivers are available for the Atari 5200.
atr5200std.joy (atr5200std_joy)
A joystick driver for the standard Atari 5200 joystick is available. Depending on the version of the 5200 console, two or four joysticks can be attached.
No mouse drivers are available for the Atari 5200.
No serial drivers are available for the Atari 5200.
Disk I/O is not supported by the atari5200
target. This means that
you cannot use any of the following functions (and a few others):
This software is provided 'as-is', without any expressed or implied warranty. In no event will the authors be held liable for any damages arising from the use of this software.
Permission is granted to anyone to use this software for any purpose, including commercial applications, and to alter it and redistribute it freely, subject to the following restrictions: