Author–Jeff Mazur
Published by–Howard Sams, PO Box 7099, Indianapolis, IN 46206
#22226, 232 pages, published 1984
$9.95 plus $2.00 shipping
This book was mentioned in an early SAMS offering, but due to the Timex pull-out it was not marketed until September. The demand was strong enough for it.
The book starts with a brief but thorough explanation of the insides of the 2068, its architecture and its electronics. A full explanation of digital mathematics follow.
Chapter 2 explains the binary number systems, fully charted and clearly understandable; I now know that I will probably never program in machine language!
Chapter 3 introduces the computer itself, what happens and why, at various points in its use. This chapter takes you from power up to power down, and gives you a chance to understand the goings-on inside that plastic enclosure.
Chapter four explains Sinclair usage of the Z80 CPU and how you can take advantage of this usage (do your homework first). Chapter five details the memory map; Chapter six, modems; Chapter seven, the sound generator and chapter eight entails the video display.
Part Two is devoted to various aspects of machine language and BASIC, and leads the reader, chapter by chapter, along the pathway to understanding the diverse operations conducted by machine language operations.
As a follow up to Fred Blechman‘s Beginners/Intermediate Guide, this book is exactly what you will need as your programming skills mature.