Teaching kids about computers...

[Chris M]

--- Ensor <classiccmp at memory-alpha.org.uk> wrote:

> Hi,
> 
>   >....I did wonder about a C64, but maybe it'd be
> better to
>   >start with something a bit more simple? i.e.
> probably
>   >something Z80 or 6502-based....
> 
> Actually, the C-64 wouldn't be a bad machine to
> sttart out on.
> 
> It's a pretty simple system to get to grips with
> initially, it has an 
> adequate BASIC available immediately and if he ever
> wants to try assembly 
> language it's 6502 based....
> 
> And it's got some pretty powerful graphics/sound
> hardware in there too if he 
> ever gets *that* interested in programming.

 The C64 is a great machine, but you're not going to
learn many *deep* details about the hardware (not that
it's necessarily an issue). Hardware sprites - dead
easy to program and even in BASIC the motion is
smooth. The 64 has the weirdest video memory layout
you could ask for (afaik), and the books aren't always
cheap (eBay). A few of them are a necessity. I went
looking for some and was astounded at the prices they
were getting. Maybe that's died off. If you can find
someone with a whole cache of stuff, you'd luck out.
 I do have a book about interfacing to it's various
i/o ports, and even a book on "advanced" assembler.
Even got a book on basic assembler, and it's likely
the best one out there.


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