 Screenshot of cartridge version | |
| Original author(s) | Steven D. Lawrow |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Optimized Systems Software |
| Initial release | 1982 |
| Final release | 4.20
/ 1994 |
| Platform | Atari 8-bit |
| Size | 16 KB |
| Type | Assembler |
| License | Proprietary software |
MAC/65 is a 6502 assembler written by Stephen D. Lawrow for Atari 8-bit computers. MAC/65 was first released on disk by Optimized Systems Software in 1982, with the program requiring 16 KB RAM. A bank switched "SuperCartridge" from OSS followed in January 1984 for US$99,[1] occupying only 8 KB.
MAC/65 is structured similarly to the Atari Assembler Editor cartridge, combining a line editor, assembler, and debugger into a single package. Its reputation was based on being much faster than either the Assembler Editor or the standalone Atari Macro Assembler. Brian Moriarty of Infocom wrote, "No assembler [at the time] on the C64 even comes CLOSE to MAC/65. Take it from someone who looked for one."[2] It was used to write numerous commercial games and applications, and the majority of assembly language listings in ANALOG Computing were written with MAC/65.
According to Lawrow, MAC/65 was used to compile not only itself, but BASIC XL and BASIC XE.
- ^ "OSS Newsletter". archive.org. January 1984.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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