Loading routine "cores": Difference between revisions
(Document the Microsphere loader.) |
(Document the Paul Owens loader.) |
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Another very close variant on the ROM loader, this time replacing the <code>RET NC</code> with the <code>NOP</code>-equivalent <code>AND A</code>. | Another very close variant on the ROM loader, this time replacing the <code>RET NC</code> with the <code>NOP</code>-equivalent <code>AND A</code>. | ||
=== Paul Owens === | |||
Used in some Ocean games, for example [https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/index.php?cat=96&id=903 Chase H.Q.]. | |||
LD-SAMPLE INC B | |||
RET Z | |||
LD A,7F | |||
IN A,(FE) | |||
RRA | |||
RET Z | |||
XOR C | |||
AND 20 | |||
JR Z,LD-SAMPLE | |||
Again just a one-byte change from the ROM loader, replacing the <code>RET NC</code> with Alkatraz's <code>RET Z</code>. |
Revision as of 21:04, 28 July 2018
This page documents the "core" of the loading routine used in the various turboloaders: the part of the loader which actually finds an edge from the tape.
ROM loader
The basis for every loading routine out there, this is the one found in the Spectrum ROM (at 05ED). The LD-SAMPLE
name is taken from Logan and O'Hara's The Complete Spectrum ROM Disassembly.
LD-SAMPLE INC B RET Z LD A,7F IN A,(FE) RRA RET NC XOR C AND 20 JR Z,LD-SAMPLE
This routine is used unchanged (just copied elsewhere in memory) by a large number of turboloaders, for example Cybernoid and Dan Dare.
Turboloaders
The names given to each of these loading routines are not meant to imply that loaders was the first to use the specific loading loop; it is the most common usage of the loading loop, or just the first place that it was seen by the authors of this page.
Speedlock
The Speedlock loader, used in huge numbers of games, for example Daley Thompson's Decathlon and Head over Heels.
LD-SAMPLE INC B RET Z LD A,7F IN A,(FE) RRA XOR C AND 20 JR Z,LD-SAMPLE
This is essentially identical to the ROM loader, but just without the RET NC
which aborts if space is pressed during the ROM loading routine.
Alkatraz
The Alkatraz loader, used in games like 720° and Cobra.
LD-SAMPLE INC B JR NZ,LD-SAMPLE2 JP <somewhere else> LD-SAMPLE2 IN A,(FE) RRA RET Z XOR C AND 20 JR Z,LD-SAMPLE
This again isn't that different from the ROM loader; the minor changes are:
- Inverting the "no edge found" condition
- Using a
JP
if an edge is not found rather than aRET
- Not setting the high byte of the
IN
- this isn't critical as it affects only which keyboard half-rows are scanned - Replacing the RET NC with a RET Z. I think this makes it essentially a no-op unless lots of keys are pressed at once.
"Variant" Alkatraz
A very close variant of the Alkatraz loader, seen only in three late era Spectrum games: Gauntlet III, Out Run Europa and Shadow Dancer.
LD-SAMPLE INC B JR NZ,LD-SAMPLE2 RET LD-SAMPLE2 IN A,(FE) RRA RET Z XOR C AND 20 JR Z,LD-SAMPLE
This actually makes the Alkatraz routine closer to the original ROM code as it now uses a RET
to exit in the "no edge found" case.
Bleepload
The Bleepload routine, used in lots of Firebird games, for example Bubble Bobble and Starglider 2.
LD-SAMPLE INC B RET Z LD A,7F IN A,(FE) RRA NOP XOR C AND 20 JR Z,LD-SAMPLE
This is just the ROM routine, but with the "space pressed" check explicitly replaced with a NOP
.
Microsphere
Used in a few Microsphere games, for instance Contact Sam Cruise and Skool Daze.
LD-SAMPLE INC B RET Z LD A,7F IN A,(FE) RRA AND A XOR C AND 20 JR Z,LD-SAMPLE
Another very close variant on the ROM loader, this time replacing the RET NC
with the NOP
-equivalent AND A
.
Paul Owens
Used in some Ocean games, for example Chase H.Q..
LD-SAMPLE INC B RET Z LD A,7F IN A,(FE) RRA RET Z XOR C AND 20 JR Z,LD-SAMPLE
Again just a one-byte change from the ROM loader, replacing the RET NC
with Alkatraz's RET Z
.