ZX-ASSEM-2      Assembler including Editor, Debugger and Monitor
                suitable for ZX81, XT2 and XTender

                copyright by Carlo Delhez, 1990-1998
                visit my site at http://www.delhez.demon.nl/


This package should contain the following files:
                                          
ZXA2-25K.P      suitable for a regular 16k ZX81
                code will be loaded to address 25000 (RAMtop will be lowered)


ZXA2-25K.C      bare binary code of the version for address 25000

ZXA2-8K.C       binary code of a non-rommable version at 8192
                this version requires RAM in the 8-16k area
                note: uses up to 256 bytes of RAM after the code end address

ZXA2-8K8.C      binary code of a rommable version at 8192
                can be executed from ROM, EPROM, FLASH, etc.
                uses 256 bytes of RAM at address 7F00 (lower RAMtop first!)

ZXA2-8KC.C      binary code of a rommable version at 8192
                can be executed from ROM, EPROM, FLASH, etc.
                uses 256 bytes of RAM at address BF00 (requires 32k RAM)


Note:   P-file can be loaded by regular LOAD command
        (or simply by double-clicking it, if you are using XTender2)

        if you use XT2:     C-files can be preloaded into memory (.XT2-file)
        if you use XTender: C-files can be loaded by using QZ-commands


Short instructions of usage will be added later.


Improvements of ZX-Assembler-2 with respect to original Artic version:

* Assembler program can sit in any part of memory (including in line 0);
* Editor does not crash if more than 32k of RAM is available;
* Assemble does not produce 'Memory Error' if more than 32k RAM available;
* Code is always generated in line 1, but line(s) 0 may be present;
* ORG directive (with default value) is available;
* RUN parameter defaults to ORG address after assembly;
* If not assembled or error: RUN parameter defaults to assembler start
* COPY parameters have convenient defaults to move code to ORG address;
* Quitting the assembler does not produce dirty errors;
* The variables area is not cleared;
* The Assembler can be called from BASIC programs without an error;
* The Assembler call returns the (default) code start to BASIC;
* If not assembled, the Assembler start address itself is returned;
* Decimal numbers are now in the range -65535 thru +65535;
* Unique: option of Self-Relocating Code generation (with ORG 0 directive);
* Main menu offers 'Version' option (by pressing key 'V'), including date;
* Explicite DEFB & DEFW directive with multiple signed parameters available;
* DEFS generates zero-filled space of required size; DEFS 0 is ignored;
* DEFS only takes a positive word value as argument (no labels, or >32767)
* Passes are shown during Assembly (XTender only; not on ZX81 or XT2);
* Errorless assembly is indicated by an 'Assembly Ready' message;
* Improved memory checks make the Assembly virtually crash-proof;
* DEFM directive added, taking a quoted texts as argument;
* Implicit numbers and texts are no longer valid; use explicit DEFB/W/S/M !
* Short forms DB, DW, DS and DM also possible.

For more information, please write to:  xtender@delhez.demon.nl